73 front bumper replacement

[GREGG PLAPAS]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

I am replacing the front urethane bumper on my 73. I was going to use the new FLEX-GLASS bumper, but my body man talked me out of it, saying that it would create, rather than solve future problems.I agree with his reasoning in full.
But, now he has asked for the replacement urethane bumper prior to actually having the car, for painting. My concern is, if the bumper is painted prior to installation it will be stretched upon re-install and all the I money spent will have been for naught in a year or two,(from re-cracking).The current bumper is cracked down the dead center of the bumper.I am told this is the classic area these bumpers give way to. Should the bumper be painted prior to being fitted on the car or after? The car is super nice and I do not wish to have any short cuts taken. I am willing to pay for the right way---------I just don't know if it matters one way or the other.

[GREGG PLAPAS]

Re: 73 front bumper replacement

I am fully aware that it is the urethane that separates or cracks first ----not the paint. Does anyone have any tips to avoid this type of cracking so I can avoid costly future re-repairs?

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 front bumper replacement

On a 73 I know of no way to get the body on the frame with the bumper attached . With this said the bumper was put on after the body was on the frame at the factory. Paint in the crack will get a deduction. I have a painter who installed the bumper and left a space and I finished tighiting after painting on a body on job. I also replaced a cracked bumper by making a board out of plywood base and 2X2's to hold the bumper while painting and carefully reinstalled with no problem. Not a perfect fit but just like what the General did.

[Joe L.]

Re: 73 front bumper replacement

Greg------

The urethane bumpers were painted prior to installation on the car. This same procedure is followed at the Bowling Green assembly plant to this very day.

As I understand it, the paint used for the urethane bumpers, then and now, contains a "stretching agent" which allows the paint to be somewhat more flexible than the paint otherwise used on the fiberglass body of the car.

[Jim T.]

Re: 73 front bumper replacement

When I painted my 85 I removed the front and rear bumper covers and they were painted off the car and I carefully installed them without damaging the new paint.

[Bill W.]

Re: 73 front bumper replacement

I would paint everything at the same time . as long as you keep the bumper out of the sun it should last. the bumpers should be painted off the car. you can make a jig out of plywood that matches the nose to paint and store the bumper cover on . I would also prefit any new bumper no matter what meterial it is made out of .Bill

[GREGG PLAPAS]

Re: 73 front bumper replacement

Thanks guys, I will take all of your replies into consideration. I really like the pre-fit idea, that just makes so much sense. I am surprised my guy didn't mention this, so you can bet I will. That way I'll be happy, knowing I've done what I can to avoid any disappointment(s) later down the road.

Thanks again, have a SAFE holiday.
gregg