Bumper Refinish?

[Aldwyn]

Hey guys,

Drove a TR6 owned by a club member today, and I am giving it serious considering for purchase (the wife wanted me to buy it on the spot!). The price is good, and from what I can see, most of the work it needs is small potatos. (for example, a small rust spot in each of the wheel wells, which have been painted over with undercoasting, valve adjustment, seats can't be adjusted, some paint touch up, etc..)

But the bumpers on the car have tiny rust spots all over them.

Can these be sanded and repainted? Should they be sent to a plater for replating? Bumpers replaced if I want them perfect?

It seems replating costs about the same at new bumpers, but hard to tell since no one really wants to give a quote on this without having the bumpers sent them them for physical inspection!

So, thoughts on the bumper rust spots?

Thanks!

 

[Harry_Ward]

If they are real tiny you may get away with crumpling up a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball about the size of a hardball and try rubbing firmly over the bumper surface. Not sure how well it will work if rust spots are to big though. Do not sand chrome or stainless it will scratch and dull and is really hard to buff back out. If the aluminum foil trick doesn't work replate or buy new. Or ignore it and just drive the car because you can't see the bumper from behind the steering wheel.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[Geo Hahn]

If the bumper is basically sound (just small pitting) you may be better off getting a quality replating as some repros do not have particularly good plating.

TR6 owners should be able to tell you specifically but on TR3s some have had to get the new repros replated to get a satisfactory look.

Usual wisdom is to use the plating shop that the Harley guys prefer.

 

[Aldwyn]

Thanks, Gents!

If I end up buying her, I'll try the tinfoil treatment first... then either ignore, or replate.

Thanks!