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Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63507] Sun, 08 November 2009 19:22 Go to next message
Rick Williams is currently offline  Rick Williams   United States
Messages: 256
Registered: July 2004
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Good Evening All

It was a beautiful day in the UP today. Sunny and mid 50's. The dogs and I did some ruffed grouse hunting.

I have been thinking about the options for improving my bumpers. They are original chrome and are in good shape except for several small dents in the rear due to the previous owner's careless backing. There is of course some pitting but overall they are not too bad.
But I am considering having them powder coated. My coach and jeep wrangler are the same gold color with black trim. The only chrome on either vehicle are the coach bumpers. Black bumpers would look good.
Has anyone done this? From what I can tell, the best solution is to have a chrome shop strip the chrome and then powder coat. Anything else may not work well. The small dents could be repaired before powder coating.
There were a few coaches made with painted bumpers and if I could find someone who wanted to trade painted for chrome, it might be cheaper to prep a painted bumper for powder coating.
But again, I would like to know if any of you have stripped the chrome and powder coated your bumpers.
I know that there are bumper covers, but I do not want those. Thanks as always for your input.

Rick


Rick Williams
Bliss, Michigan
1978 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63541 is a reply to message #63507] Mon, 09 November 2009 06:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Rick,
I took my bumpers to a powdercoating place and just paid for the sand
blasting. At that point, they can be filled and smoothed with body
filler just like body panels on a steel car. Powder coating is nearly
forever, and if you have any damage afterwards, removing it is nearly
impossible. Just paint to body color and it will make future repairs
no more difficult than body work. Powder coating is not magic. It
still chips, scratches and is subject to UV fade. Pics attached:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=28178

On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 6:22 PM, Rick Williams <rickw@mich.com> wrote:
>
>
> Good Evening All
>
> It was a beautiful day in the UP today. Sunny and mid 50's.  The dogs and I did some ruffed grouse hunting.
>
> I have been thinking about the options for improving my bumpers. They are original chrome and are in good shape except for several small dents in the rear due to the previous owner's careless backing. There is of course some pitting but overall they are not too bad.
> But I am considering having them powder coated. My coach and jeep wrangler are the same gold color with black trim. The only chrome on either vehicle are the coach bumpers. Black bumpers would look good.
> Has anyone done this? From what I can tell, the best solution is to have a chrome shop strip the chrome and then powder coat. Anything else may not work well. The small dents could be repaired before powder coating.
> There were a few coaches made with painted bumpers and if I could find someone who wanted to trade painted for chrome, it might be cheaper to prep a painted bumper for powder coating.
> But again, I would like to know if any of you have stripped the chrome and powder coated your bumpers.
> I know that there are bumper covers, but I do not want those. Thanks as always for your input.
>
> Rick
>
> --
> Rick Williams
> Gladstone, Michigan
> 1978 Eleganza II
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63543 is a reply to message #63541] Mon, 09 November 2009 07:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Steve,

What do you think about chrome colored powder coating?

Hey, that bow tie doesn't look like one off a Chevy?

The LPG tank looks good but I thought the gas struts supposed to be mounted
with the cylinders up?

FYI I mailed the bushing tool, you'll have it in 7-10 days (probably
sooner).

Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Ferguson
Sent: Monday, 9 November 2009 11:29 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore

Powder coating is not magic. It still chips, scratches and is subject to UV
fade.

Steve Ferguson

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63548 is a reply to message #63543] Mon, 09 November 2009 08:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fred v is currently offline  fred v   United States
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
Senior Member
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=30410

here is mine with powder coat bumpers. i paid 100 bucks for all 4 pieces. i've heard too many horror stories about re-chrome jobs.


Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
Re: Bumper Repair/Restore [Say NO to Bondo!] [message #63602 is a reply to message #63507] Mon, 09 November 2009 15:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Firefly is currently offline  Firefly   United States
Messages: 98
Registered: May 2008
Location: Augusta, Maine
Karma: 0
Member
I have found that plastic body filler is in fact NOT good for repairs to metallic items when you want to powder coat them; because of the difference in conductance, the coating will be significantly thinner on "bondo"-treated areas.

What I have successfully used several times is "All-Metal" filler, comprised of aluminum powder mixed with epoxy and stabilizers. The aluminum is dense enough to conduct the high-voltage/low-amperage static charge as long as the base surface is roughed with 80 grit and the hardened filler sanded so that the epoxy skin is sanded off, allowing the aluminum substrate to do its job.

All Metal filler will not absorb any water, either (as plastic filler does immediately).


Mark Scoble, Lunenburg, MA - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and in residence at the GMC Co-Op in Orlando, FL
Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63607 is a reply to message #63541] Mon, 09 November 2009 16:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
peter bailey is currently offline  peter bailey   United States
Messages: 367
Registered: March 2009
Location: Gawler, South Australia
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Rick
If the bumpers are stripped back to bare metal then repaired they need to be
plated to prevent rust as powder coating is pourous and the rust will
develop behind the coating and you will have bubling of the surface, avoid
body filler if possible it can react if the heat of the oven for curing the
powder coat is high.
Peter Bailey
from Ozy (Aussie)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steven Ferguson" <botiemad11@gmail.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 10:58 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore


Rick,
I took my bumpers to a powdercoating place and just paid for the sand
blasting. At that point, they can be filled and smoothed with body
filler just like body panels on a steel car. Powder coating is nearly
forever, and if you have any damage afterwards, removing it is nearly
impossible. Just paint to body color and it will make future repairs
no more difficult than body work. Powder coating is not magic. It
still chips, scratches and is subject to UV fade. Pics attached:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=28178

On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 6:22 PM, Rick Williams <rickw@mich.com> wrote:
>
>
> Good Evening All
>
> It was a beautiful day in the UP today. Sunny and mid 50's. The dogs and I
> did some ruffed grouse hunting.
>
> I have been thinking about the options for improving my bumpers. They are
> original chrome and are in good shape except for several small dents in
> the rear due to the previous owner's careless backing. There is of course
> some pitting but overall they are not too bad.
> But I am considering having them powder coated. My coach and jeep wrangler
> are the same gold color with black trim. The only chrome on either vehicle
> are the coach bumpers. Black bumpers would look good.
> Has anyone done this? From what I can tell, the best solution is to have a
> chrome shop strip the chrome and then powder coat. Anything else may not
> work well. The small dents could be repaired before powder coating.
> There were a few coaches made with painted bumpers and if I could find
> someone who wanted to trade painted for chrome, it might be cheaper to
> prep a painted bumper for powder coating.
> But again, I would like to know if any of you have stripped the chrome and
> powder coated your bumpers.
> I know that there are bumper covers, but I do not want those. Thanks as
> always for your input.
>
> Rick
>
> --
> Rick Williams
> Gladstone, Michigan
> 1978 Eleganza II
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_______________________________________________
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List Information and Subscription Options:
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[GMCnet] Stretches [message #63610 is a reply to message #63602] Mon, 09 November 2009 16:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jayrabe is currently offline  jayrabe   United States
Messages: 509
Registered: June 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Karma: 0
Senior Member

Hi Mark, was intrigued by your tagline about your stretch project. I'd considered putting in a bid (but chickened out) on the Wallace coach on ebay that was stretched to 31'. Care to share major issues encountered and things to watch out for? Major pluses and minuses? Handling, etc?

Thanks

J "still searching" Rabe



> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [Say NO to Bondo!]
...

> Mark Scoble, Augusta, Maine - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and undergoing complete renovation at the GMC Co-Op
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_________________________________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [Say NO to Bondo!] [message #63616 is a reply to message #63602] Mon, 09 November 2009 17:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
Senior Member
That is one of the reasons I was advocating just painting them body
color Mark.

On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 2:42 PM, Mark Scoble <worldnet@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> I have found that plastic body filler is in fact NOT good for repairs to metallic items when you want to powder coat them; because of the difference in conductance, the coating will be significantly thinner on "bondo"-treated areas.
>
> What I have successfully used several times is "All-Metal" filler, comprised of aluminum powder mixed with epoxy and stabilizers.  The aluminum is dense enough to conduct the high-voltage/low-amperage static charge as long as the base surface is roughed with 80 grit and the hardened filler sanded so that the epoxy skin is sanded off, allowing the aluminum substrate to do its job.
>
> All Metal filler will not absorb any water, either (as plastic filler does immediately).
> --
> Mark Scoble, Augusta, Maine - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and undergoing complete renovation at the GMC Co-Op
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63626 is a reply to message #63541] Mon, 09 November 2009 19:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Brian Leith is currently offline  Brian Leith   United States
Messages: 22
Registered: February 2004
Location: St Louis
Karma: 0
Junior Member
I powder coated mine too
http://http://i867.photobucket.com
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/beebad3/GetAttachmentCA9ARQAT.jpg


1975 Elle II
Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63627 is a reply to message #63626] Mon, 09 November 2009 19:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Brian Leith is currently offline  Brian Leith   United States
Messages: 22
Registered: February 2004
Location: St Louis
Karma: 0
Junior Member
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/beebad3/IMG00391-20091016-17261.jpg

1975 Elle II
Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63661 is a reply to message #63543] Tue, 10 November 2009 07:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Cyls down Rob. Works perfect.
Tracker sold for $6,500. The guy never came back for the Alladin
adapter pins so I now have an extra set.

On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 6:17 AM, Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Steve,
>
> What do you think about chrome colored powder coating?
>
> Hey, that bow tie doesn't look like one off a Chevy?
>
> The LPG tank looks good but I thought the gas struts supposed to be mounted
> with the cylinders up?
>
> FYI I mailed the bushing tool, you'll have it in 7-10 days (probably
> sooner).
>
> Regards,
> Rob Mueller
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Ferguson
> Sent: Monday, 9 November 2009 11:29 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore
>
> Powder coating is not magic.  It still chips, scratches and is subject to UV
> fade.
>
> Steve Ferguson
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63670 is a reply to message #63661] Tue, 10 November 2009 09:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Erv Troyer is currently offline  Erv Troyer   United States
Messages: 125
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lagrange, IN
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Rob Mueller wrote:

. . . but I thought the gas struts supposed to be mounted with the cylinders up?

Then Steve Ferguson wrote:

Cyls down Rob. Works perfect.
================================

For what it's worth:

Gas spring manufacturers DO recommend that the cylinders should be up, rods down. This keeps the rod seal lubricated.

Look at the springs on minivan rear doors.

Erv Troyer
Lagrange, IN
(retired - again)
Re: [GMCnet] Bumper Repair/Restore [message #63753 is a reply to message #63670] Tue, 10 November 2009 18:57 Go to previous message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Learn something new every day. Thanks!

On Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 8:47 AM, Erv Troyer <reo43@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> Rob Mueller wrote:
>
> . . . but I thought the gas struts supposed to be mounted with the cylinders up?
>
> Then Steve Ferguson wrote:
>
> Cyls down Rob. Works perfect.
> ================================
>
> For what it's worth:
>
> Gas spring manufacturers DO recommend that the cylinders should be up, rods down. This keeps the rod seal lubricated.
>
> Look at the springs on minivan rear doors.
>
> Erv Troyer
> Lagrange, IN
> (retired - again)
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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