[Mikey_mike]

I started doing 'bodywork' to my bumpers this week.....only to end up putting more hours than i anticipated....and i'm still not done my first one.
I guess after 30 some years being at both extremities of a vehicle....they do take a heck of a beating
So i am wondering if anyone here has ever done some repair/straightening to a bumper, and do you have any input, tips or advice for me?
I am using heat, an 200 lbs anvil, a ball peen, a 4 lbs mallet, a dolly and a sanding pad mounted on an angle grinder.
I guess the worst part is that there is so much 'shape' to a bumper, trying to get everything perfectly straight is a pain in the *****.
That $500 a piece doesn't look that expensive anymore. lol

Mikey

[poncho62]

Alot of times the whole bumper can have a twist in it from one end to the other. Not much you can do with that at home.......The chrome shops know how to deal with this stuff..........You are rechroming, are you not?

[Mikey_mike]

I was planning on painting my bumpers and shaving the carriage bolt holes...thats why i decided to tackle the job myself. I didn't think it was going to be that big of a project. I think i am going to finish my first bumper and start looking for a better candidate for the rear. The one i have is in much worst condition that the front one.

Mikey

[adtkart]

"I am using heat, an 200 lbs anvil, a ball peen, a 4 lbs mallet, a dolly and a sanding pad mounted on an angle grinder"

IMHO some of the worst tools for straightening a bumper. With the anvil and a hammer, you will be stretching the metal every time you hit it. If it is twisted, you will likely twist it even further as you work. Both hammers you mention, will dent the metal every time you hit it. They do not have flat faces on them, they have crowns in them. Straightening bumpers are seldom as easy as they look.

Aaron

[crashtech]

Send them to a bumper rechromer anyway, with the order "strip chrome, straighten only". The best bumper shops have forms going back 75 years or even more, they are much better equipped for this sort of thing. Also, you will get your bumpers back clean bare metal, perfect for the welding of the holes and subsequent priming and painting.