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Paint modification opinions wanted

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Personally I think it looks fine with the black. Now if you DO go with the red bumpers, i would leave the rockers and lower rear pannels black still, similar to Kayakindude's TR8, because it breaks up the car more with some contrast, and makes the car look sleaker IMO.
 
DrEntropy said:
FWIW, IMO the all-one-color treatment makes it look like a Fiat X-1/9. The Federally mandated bumpers are hideous no matter WHAT color they are, so I'd keep the original black scheme as there's no disguising them.
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The only thing that might, just might, help those rear bumpers is a dull black. The gloss just highlights the protrusions.
 
Ditto on dull or satin black.
 
Paul,

Based on several photos I have seen of TR8's with painted bumpers, I like them, and that includes the photo that 'kayakindude' posted.
I have a spare set of bumpers that I plan to have painted platinum silver to match my TR8.
I am still debating about the colour of the rockers, in black the TR8 looks slimmer. Again, see the photo that 'kayakindude' posted.
 
I want to look into that flat rounded bumper from the fiberglass site that I got the link for earlier. If I can just get rid of the bumps, I may stay with the black. And mine are dull again. The "Back to Black" just made them look shiny that day. After sitting for the winter, they are satin again.
 
All of the wedges destined for North America had the rear bumpers with the over riders. UK wedges had the multi piece hard plastic bumpers with no over riders. I have a mold to make rear fiberglass bumpers without the over riders. They come out nice and sleek looking without those goofy bumps. Doesn't hurt that they weigh less than 10 pounds either. A set of front and rear fiberglass bumpers will shave well over 100 pounds off the car from the farthest points away from the roll center. Helps with handling and diving under braking a ton, but not much protection in a collision. Personally I've never seen a wedge with painted bumpers that looked right to me. Not a big fan of the body colored rockers either. I've been toying with the idea of painting my next project with lighter colored rockers. Something similar to what Subaru is doing now. A steely blue with sandy colored rockers. Remember that the 8s came with different shades of black rockers. Some were smooth gloss black and some were a satin textured finish. You can change the look of the car with subtle changes to the black trim. Paul, your car would look really mean with a black canvas top and satin black wheels and trim. If you want a spare set of bumpers to play with, give me a holler.
 
Paul:
FWIW I agree with Darrell and the Honeybourne mouldings in the UK are a lot less bulky than stock and may solve part of your problem. Still your call - nice car though!
Cheers,
Bob
 
I prefer the stock black look, but it is not my car. You can make the black look pretty darn good with Dupli-Color black bumper paint (yours look pretty good as is though)
 
Anybody seen the Honeybourne Covers on this side?
 
I'd like to see what Todd has available from his mold before I go to a stranger overseas....even if I just paint mine black.

Todd, does your rear bumper mold include the sides as well or does it bolt directly to the originals?

Mine are in good shape and I just got the Griot Rubber Cleaner and Conditioner kit which I'm sure will make them look even better if I stay with the originals. I just want something that looks smaller than these "boob" bumpers.
 
I bought the UK/European bumpers for my TR8 and I really like them. The expensive portion are the front and rear middles but the end caps are cheap and can be had used for $10-$30 each. You can also mount the UK stuff on your USA spec bumper frames.

HPIM0463.jpg

UKBumpers1.jpg


Group 44 TR8 also shaved the bumpies off too for a cleaner look.
HPIM0632.jpg
 
Paul, I've been waiting for the warm weather to make some more bumpers. Cold and fiberglass don't go well together. I want a set for my green car and Dave and Al would like sets as well. I might have one or two up in the attic all ready done. I'll go searching and if I find some I'll take a picture of them. Offer still stands, if you want a set of stock bumpers to paint up, come get them. That way if you don't like the looks, you can always put your nice ones back on. The ones I make look pretty much just like the G44 pieces. There is a 56 Hillman in the garage now getting a driveline transplant along with major frame rail and floor pan mods. Should be done with all of the metal fab by the end of the month and then I can play with the fiberglass.
 
I'm still leaning to staying black, so I will need to match them for texture and color and if I can save the weight, it's a plus, so let's look at the complete set. Post the pictures and give me a price and we'll go from there. I'll decide on the color issue one day with a 50 cent piece flip.
 
Found a beat up front and a rear in rough fiberglass. When I get to making some more, you can have as set for whatever the fiberglass costs me. I like to finish them with Duplicolor bumper black.
 

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