Help making a bumper decision

[stprorolla49]

Im pretty sure you guys know about what happened a few weeks ago when i slid out in the rain and hit a curb. Well i have been looking all over for a front bumper cover, and i think i may have found one. Ever since it was time to paint the car, I've wanted a Cobra bumper, but i didnt have the money then and i already had the GT bumper which was in good shape so i used that. I have come across a Cobra front bumper for a really good deal, and the guys is gonna hold it for me, but before i buy it, i wanted to run it by you guys first. It has a small tear at the bottom, and theres a bunch of rock chips, but i think its definately fixable. Lets put it this way, im getting a REALLY good deal on it, so my question is #1, what would i use to repair urethane? and #2, what do you guys think of the pics of it? Thanks guys!

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

I'd personally pass on a damaged urethane bumper. It's not like fiberglass where you can repair, bondo, and be done. It's gotta flex the same, or it'll just crack the repair. Are you guys required to run a front plate in NJ? I also noticed the holes for a license plate, and that's one thing I always hated about mine. I've never run a front plate in 8 years, even though it's a requirement in IL. I've only gotten one ticket for it, and that was because the cop said he had to write me for something, when I sped up by one of those portable radar trailers, just to be funny and see what I could get it to show my speed as. Well, he was sitting within view of it, and I just pulled over and waited for him. Just saying, one $25 ticket in 8 years isn't bad, so I'd rather have one with no holes.

 

[stprorolla49]

I'd personally pass on a damaged urethane bumper. It's not like fiberglass where you can repair, bondo, and be done. It's gotta flex the same, or it'll just crack the repair. Are you guys required to run a front plate in NJ? I also noticed the holes for a license plate, and that's one thing I always hated about mine. I've never run a front plate in 8 years, even though it's a requirement in IL. I've only gotten one ticket for it, and that was because the cop said he had to write me for something, when I sped up by one of those portable radar trailers, just to be funny and see what I could get it to show my speed as. Well, he was sitting within view of it, and I just pulled over and waited for him. Just saying, one $25 ticket in 8 years isn't bad, so I'd rather have one with no holes.

We do have to run a front plate so thats not an issue for me. As for repairing urethane, ive done a bit of research in the last 15 minutes and crazy as this sounds they actually make a product similar to bondo but for urethane...crazyness huh? Im just wondering how difficult it would be. Im not worried about putting in the time to repair this because i will be home for 3 months over the summer, and the bumper is a really good deal.

 

[Blackened302]

if it's a good deal, i would jump on it.

all i've ever worked with is "autobody icing"--a bondo-like material (everyone i know calls it putty) that i used to fix my hail damage.

i've been looking for somethign to fix the cracks from my little curb incident, heh, so do you mind posting that product you found, Michael?

bottom line, if it was me: if it's a *really good deal, i'd jump on it and try and repair it myself. that's just me, though... i'm stubborn.

 

[stprorolla49]

if it's a good deal, i would jump on it.

all i've ever worked with is "autobody icing"--a bondo-like material (everyone i know calls it putty) that i used to fix my hail damage.

i've been looking for somethign to fix the cracks from my little curb incident, heh, so do you mind posting that product you found, Michael?

bottom line, if it was me: if it's a *really good deal, i'd jump on it and try and repair it myself. that's just me, though... i'm stubborn.

http://www.smitsgroup.co.nz/gpi-automotive/dominion-sure-seal.cfm

Its the urethane adhesive. Then there was another product which ill try and find again, but its a flexable urethane putty for filling holes. You put a piece of window screen behind the hole for support, and then fill from the outside. Basically, i can get this bumper cheaper than a used GT bumper from ebay, junkyard, corral, etc...

 

[demon40]

Fixin urethane

Dude i say buy the bumper. If you have a local shop the sales paint and body supplies, and i dont mean NAPA, youll have to find a shop that your local body shops get supplies from. They should carry a two part epoxy (or be able to get it) called fusor. The make it for several different applications, I.E. metal to metal, plastic to plastic. plastic to metal. If you can find a shop that can get you this stuff buy it. Just put a little bit in the crack brace it until it dries and when cured, youll have a bond the you can not break. A rep showed us a video in my autobody class and this stuff held a body seem a **** load better than the factory weld did in a crash. It is seriously impossibly to break the bond. If you got any questions drop me a line. [email protected]

 

[stprorolla49]

awesome man, i will definately look into that stuff...looks like ill finally be gettin a cobra bumper

 

[Blackened302]

good deal!

i'm interested in the fusor stuff as well. i have a few cracks in my bumpers that i'd love to salvage and put the money towards new ones into some performance goodies.

i've got the structure of them reinforced w/ metal strips, but i now need to fill the cracks and have the whole things repainted.

don't mean to take away from your thread, Michael, but this info is beneficial to many of us.

 

[69clark]

If its that cheap I say get the bumper and decide if you will fix it later. Because if not you can always sell it for more.

 

[Suspect]

If its that cheap I say get the bumper and decide if you will fix it later. Because if not you can always sell it for more.

+1

i prolly would have had it at the painters already. and ive been looking to get one for awhile, not that easy.

 

[stprorolla49]

yea im gonna get it in 2 weeks when i get back from school...possibly before then if i can get my friend to pick it up for me

 

[demon40]

Fusor

Fusor isnt used for a filler, its actually an adhesive. So if you can find some ditch the metal straps and fix it with just the fusor. ( Im probably spelling that wrong its been about two years since ive delt with this stuff )

 

[stprorolla49]

Yea the only thing im worried about fixing structure wise is the tear on the bottom at the back on the passenger side half. All the other damage is small scratches and chips which can be filled easily with flexible filler for urethane. Im pretty excited about this to say the least! Also, wheres the cheapest place to get a set of cobra fog lights...and are the plug and play with the stock GT fog wiring harness?

 

[1TRIKGT]

For anyone that wants to get any of the Fusor products, heres the link to where I got mine from a while back, they even have a picture tuturial of how to repair bumpers... This stuff is the best Iv found so far.

http://autobodystore.com/plastic.htm

 

[Blackened302]

For anyone that wants to get any of the Fusor products, heres the link to where I got mine from a while back, they even have a picture tuturial of how to repair bumpers... This stuff is the best Iv found so far.

http://autobodystore.com/plastic.htm

thanks for the link, man!! and thanks, Demon, for bringing Fusor up--finally found something to repair my bumpers!


Michael: yeah, the cobra fogs will plug into the stock GT harness. you'll need the fog light brackets, too. i got the set (fogs + bracket) from blueovalindustries, i think, for $80.

edit: http://www.blueovalindustries.com/products.php?pid=736

 

[stprorolla49]

thanks guys, i cant wait to get this bumper painted up, and on the car...im excited!