Smoothing Bumpers - Pro-Touring.com

Themisfitking · #1 11-02-2009, 03:49 PM

Anyone converted their bumpers into a smoothed and filled look. I was considering welding up the bumper bolts and other holes and then rechroming. Anyone done this? I am looking for some helpful tips. Do you have to strip all of the chrome first? Anything that will make this easier?

brans72 · #2 11-02-2009, 04:18 PM

What are you going to use for filler to handle the chroming process if I might ask?

Twentyover · #3 11-02-2009, 04:26 PM

I'm guessing welding wire. Cut the head off the carraige bolt and weld it in the square hole, fill imperfections w/ the wire feed

Yelcamino · #4 11-02-2009, 04:37 PM

The front and rear bumpers on my El Camino are smooth.

brans72 · #5 11-02-2009, 04:38 PM

Now if you where powder coating I would say you could use all metal filler correct?

brans72 · #6 11-02-2009, 04:38 PM

Damn that is sexy!

ProdigyCustoms · #7 11-02-2009, 04:39 PM

I thnk this is exactly what your looking for. We just finished some on a car we JUST finished. have not even shown pics yet, but here is a sneak peak.

We use threaded rod, fillit welded through the bumper bolt hole, and then braced the back side of the stud with a piece of 11 gauge about 3" long with a hole in it for the bolt to beef up that area so the stud did not pull on only the the stud itself.

We did not strip them first, we ground back the chrome, then sent them to the chrome shop for final blocking and chroming. The entire deal was a $1200 process! Expensive, but freakin cool for sure

Enjoy

speedshftr · #8 11-02-2009, 04:39 PM

like this?

Yelcamino · #9 11-02-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twentyover

I'm guessing welding wire. Cut the head off the carraige bolt and weld it in the square hole, fill imperfections w/ the wire feed

That's similar to how my bumpers were done, but I found out after the fact the best way to do it is to weld a 1" x 1" square plate over each bolt hole on the back side of the bumper. Drill and tap each plate for a stud, then fill in the bolt hole with weld (welding the stud in place in the process). Of course you'll need to do a quality job welding/filling the bolt holes for a smooth finish before chrome plating.

If you just weld a stud into the bolt holes, as you tighten the bumper to the brackets, there's a chance the stud will pull the bumper in creating a valley. There's a very slight valley on one of the bolt/stud locations on my rear bumper because of this.

brans72 · #10 11-02-2009, 04:48 PM

Can all metal body filler with stand power coat?

Twentyover · #11 11-02-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yelcamino

That's similar to how my bumpers were done, but I found out after the fact the best way to do it is to weld a 1" x 1" square plate over each bolt hole on the back side of the bumper. Drill and tap each plate for a stud, then fill in the bolt hole with weld (welding the stud in place in the process). Of course you'll need to do a quality job welding/filling the bolt holes for a smooth finish before chrome plating.

If you just weld a stud into the bolt holes, as you tighten the bumper to the brackets, there's a chance the stud will pull the bumper in creating a valley. There's a very slight valley on one of the bolt/stud locations on my rear bumper because of this.

Point taken

Twentyover · #12 11-02-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brans72

Can all metal body filler with stand power coat?

Don't KNOW, but I doubt it. Lead melts at 620F, powder generally sets at 450F

Themisfitking · #13 11-03-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yelcamino

That's similar to how my bumpers were done, but I found out after the fact the best way to do it is to weld a 1" x 1" square plate over each bolt hole on the back side of the bumper. Drill and tap each plate for a stud, then fill in the bolt hole with weld (welding the stud in place in the process). Of course you'll need to do a quality job welding/filling the bolt holes for a smooth finish before chrome plating.

If you just weld a stud into the bolt holes, as you tighten the bumper to the brackets, there's a chance the stud will pull the bumper in creating a valley. There's a very slight valley on one of the bolt/stud locations on my rear bumper because of this.

That is eactly the kind of tip I was looking for. I was not sure about the best way. I have seen the dimpled bumpers caused by the incorrect method. A large steel on the back side of the bumper to spread the bolting force out, thats smart. I guess I will experiment to get the best fit for my application. I want to close the bumper up to the body a little also so I am going to be "customizing"

the bumper brackets as well. Thanks again.

67 455 Bird ragtop · #14 11-04-2009, 06:17 AM

Could you use lead/lead-free solder to fill the hole or would it soften too much from any heat generated during chroming??

BA. · #15 11-04-2009, 01:26 PM

I am sooo feeling that yellow 69..... I want to see more pics!

FWIW - TheMisfitKing - I was going to do this with my rear bumper as well, but I'm balking a little at the price of the re-chroming process. I don't think I've heard a number less than 600-800 yet and mine has a little kink in it that needs straightened.

Yelcamino · #16 11-04-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BA.

I am sooo feeling that yellow 69..... I want to see more pics!

FWIW - TheMisfitKing - I was going to do this with my rear bumper as well, but I'm balking a little at the price of the re-chroming process. I don't think I've heard a number less than 600-800 yet and mine has a little kink in it that needs straightened.

Give Tri-City Plating a call. I got an original pair for my Chevelle from them for about $600. If you just need yours rechromed it should be considerably cheaper...

http://www.tricityplating.com/