Bumper restoration and mod
12-18-2010, 11:27 PM
#31
I haddah Google dat
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Holy Mackerel!!!! Haha...you're obsessed!!
Re-read posts #3, #9, #11, #16....or don't, I don't care
I keep hearing these are part of a "system" ? It's a bumper attached to a chassis...also in terms of the 911 and safety, unless I am unaware the 911 shell had remained unchanged from the 60's, 70's, 80's - automobile safety had come a long way. Not sure Porsche adopted much if any other than 5mph tumors.
If I am wrong please correct. I guess the funny part about people touting a part of the 911 as a "safety feature" and should not be removed - on the very chassis that has not changed in 30-40 years? Crumple zones?
Just don't take those tumors off - now your 911 is unsafe.... Show me the proven facts of this safety system please...
Just don't take those tumors off - now your 911 is unsafe.... Show me the proven facts of this safety system please...
This forum is for sharing info, personal anecdotes, insight, observations, opinions, etc etc. Do whatever to your car that makes you happy. But as for this forum, you come across like a crass know-it-all who in fact is a total *** and ignoramus. You should tone down your attitude right quick and allow for some others with opinions different from yours to voice theirs without being subject to your ****storm of ignorant rants.
12-29-2010, 04:18 PM
#32
Track Day
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For those who are interested, I have a few more pics and progress to report.
A couple of updates on the bumper portion of this project:
* based on other threads and info I found online, I elected to fill the bumperette mounting holes with JB Weld instead of having them welded. I think this will just as good and will be more easily undone in the future.
* the bumper is coming along great - it has been unusually cold this December and even with the heater on in the garage, I have had to pick my days for painting. I currently have the bumper painted and sanded and will pick up the base and clear coat tomorrow. Looks like a good painting day on Friday!!
"While I was in there" I decided to disassemble and refurb the rear tail lights. As with most things on the car so far, they are in OK shape, but have some issues starting (rust and rot) that are best knocked out early. I ordered new seals but just did a complete cleaning, painting and polishing to get a very noticeable upgrade in appearance. This will spawn another upgrade, however, as I have been reading all I can on the LED upgrade and will be doing that later this winter.
The deterioration of the black painted edges is clear in this picture (ha! no pun intended).
This picture shows the refurbished lens back on the car.
This picture shows the dirver's side lens that has not been refurbished. It is more subtle on a black car, but repainting the edges black makes a difference.
A couple of updates on the bumper portion of this project:
* based on other threads and info I found online, I elected to fill the bumperette mounting holes with JB Weld instead of having them welded. I think this will just as good and will be more easily undone in the future.
* the bumper is coming along great - it has been unusually cold this December and even with the heater on in the garage, I have had to pick my days for painting. I currently have the bumper painted and sanded and will pick up the base and clear coat tomorrow. Looks like a good painting day on Friday!!
"While I was in there" I decided to disassemble and refurb the rear tail lights. As with most things on the car so far, they are in OK shape, but have some issues starting (rust and rot) that are best knocked out early. I ordered new seals but just did a complete cleaning, painting and polishing to get a very noticeable upgrade in appearance. This will spawn another upgrade, however, as I have been reading all I can on the LED upgrade and will be doing that later this winter.
The deterioration of the black painted edges is clear in this picture (ha! no pun intended).
This picture shows the refurbished lens back on the car.
This picture shows the dirver's side lens that has not been refurbished. It is more subtle on a black car, but repainting the edges black makes a difference.
Last edited by Phil Ehlen; 12-29-2010 at 06:16 PM. Reason: Typo
12-29-2010, 05:16 PM
#33
Addict
IT WORKED
That is exactly what I need to do. Thank you so much for the tip. I have one tail lens that looks to have the clear boarder and the other that looks black. Will be included in my next project.
did you do any scotch bright or 0000 steal wool prep ?
That is exactly what I need to do. Thank you so much for the tip. I have one tail lens that looks to have the clear boarder and the other that looks black. Will be included in my next project.
did you do any scotch bright or 0000 steal wool prep ?
12-29-2010, 06:15 PM
#34
Track Day
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used 0000 steel wool and used a light touch. It looks even better in live and in person.
12-30-2010, 03:36 PM
#35
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Here's a little tip that you won't find out anyplace else. While the bumperettes are off the bumper inspect them. When these things are molded they frequently have voids on them on the back side (the part you don't see when they are mounted). Also, near the retaining bolts, there is raw untreated steel there. Get yourself something like resin to cover up the voids, and also treat the base of the threads. That area gets ignored for years so you have to be proactive.
Many of these bumperettes have rusted--from the inside, over time.
Many of these bumperettes have rusted--from the inside, over time.
12-30-2010, 10:18 PM
#38
Track Day
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My passenger side bumperette and bumper rubber were both toast - rusted inside.
BTW, picked up my paint today and applied it. Looks great right now, pics to come. I have a lot to say about doing this two part paint job in a make shift booth in my garage. Probably won't do it again, but I really to try my hand at painting.
BTW, picked up my paint today and applied it. Looks great right now, pics to come. I have a lot to say about doing this two part paint job in a make shift booth in my garage. Probably won't do it again, but I really to try my hand at painting.
12-30-2010, 11:14 PM
#39
Nordschleife Master
Phil,
You are putting some great work into the bumper, cannot wait to see the results when you are done. Where in SC are you? I am thinking about doing something similar to the bumper on my SC and would like to check it out in person if you are close to the border, or perhaps in Cola given that I am down there once every couple of months.
You are putting some great work into the bumper, cannot wait to see the results when you are done. Where in SC are you? I am thinking about doing something similar to the bumper on my SC and would like to check it out in person if you are close to the border, or perhaps in Cola given that I am down there once every couple of months.
01-02-2011, 01:52 PM
#42
Advanced
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-02-2011, 05:52 PM
#43
Track Day
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nearing the end...
I was able to get everything painted last Thursday and wrapped up polishing and installation today. This has been a blast and the results have exceeded my expectations, frankly.
My make-shift paint booth:
The bumper just after the clear coat (I used Sherwin Williams 2 step):
Ah Ha! Something useful for my bumperettes to do:
After color sanding and the second level of buffing - mirror-like!
Installed:
Dirty car, but outside after a quick spin around the block:
All in all, this was a challenge but very rewarding - and I love the look. I will be getting some LED license plate screws and wiring those up for the license plate lights. and that will be it for this project.
I was able to get everything painted last Thursday and wrapped up polishing and installation today. This has been a blast and the results have exceeded my expectations, frankly.
My make-shift paint booth:
The bumper just after the clear coat (I used Sherwin Williams 2 step):
Ah Ha! Something useful for my bumperettes to do:
After color sanding and the second level of buffing - mirror-like!
Installed:
Dirty car, but outside after a quick spin around the block:
All in all, this was a challenge but very rewarding - and I love the look. I will be getting some LED license plate screws and wiring those up for the license plate lights. and that will be it for this project.
