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Rear bumper material

  • Thread starter Thread starter Treydiggitydogg
  • Start date Start date
T

Treydiggitydogg

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I was forced out of the garage this winter and the rear bumper cracked in several places do to the temperature, I think. I mean major cracks not worth tryin to fix. Actually, they are more like tears.

I noticed there are a couple different material options out there. What is the best one for my 76? Urathane, Fiberglass, Flex-fit????

Thanks,

Trey ;shrug
 
I would think fiberglass would be the way to go . but understand i base this on nothing. It just seems that it would be the most durable, hold its shape the best, less stress on the paint. as to fit i have no idea, but i would think a rigid piece would be easier to square and fit than a flexable piece. Not owning a shark with molded bumpers i have no exper working with this. This is totally just an opi based on being around these cars. good luck robert
 
First off, are you going to install it yourself, or have a quality shop do it?
Urethane will be the easiest to install, because it will stretch to fit, as Corvettes are built on a jig, and no two vette bodies are identicle.
Fiberglass/Flex Fiberglass will hold up much longer than Urethane, barring any accidents. I have a fiberglass rear cover and am installing a flex type fiberglass front bumper out front currently. I would recommend the flex type glass, it can be repaired like fiberglass, and is a little easier to fit than regular fiberglass.
On the Urethane side....
I have owned a dozen 78-86 Camaros & T/A's, and have never had any trouble with the Urethane bumpers on these cars, and all of them were outside year round . On my vette, the bumper covers were so hard and cracked, I literaly took the bumper covers off in pieces, then removed the retainers. My vette has been painted a couple of times by P/O, but since "rotted" O/E covers is very common, I don't know if it has to do with the use of laquer paint at the St Louis plant or the quality of the factory Urathane from 73-77. I do know if the propper paint/primer isn't used, it can fry the Urethane.
 
Thanks for the info.
I was planning on having a friends shop install and match it. I wouldn't be surprised if my bumper comes off in pieces...all it took was one winter, it was amazing (and horrifying) watching it fall apart.

Trey
 

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