73-front urethane bumper repair

[GREGG PLAPAS]

I have recently (today) had a new GM urethane bumper installed. Is it my imagination or is there a thin black gasket that separates the actual bumper from the body? I thought or at least that it looked to be there prior , and now it is not. I can not find this part in the books I have. Am I looking for something that does not exist? In addition to the above, the original bumper was razor straight, the new GM piece is wavey.The man who replaced it told me that's the way they come from the mold. Is there any way after being painted to remove this waviness?

[Thad L.]

Re: 73-front urethane bumper repair

No gasket! After you have the bumper cover painted, put the car in the sun and the waves will show up! If you drive the car daily, the waves will show up even more!! I hope your painter put a flex additive in the clear or if it's single stage,in the color. Thad

[Harmon C.]

Save the wave !

Their was no gasket and if they wave they are more original. Some of the new GM parts do seem more flexable.

[George C.]

Re: Save the wave !

Hi Gregg,

I look back at pictures I have of my 1973 Corvette , yellow code 952, back from 1973 when I first got the car and you could surf on the front bumper. I now look at pictures from Corvette shows and it seems that all 1973 Corvettes in comparison, bumpers are usually much nicer. Original Corvette bumpers are wavey. Save the Wave.>George

[GREGG PLAPAS]

Re: Save the wave !

Thanks Guy's--------- I am having the car judged(NCRS)in March, So I hope this works for me instead of against me. The paint came out great, but those waves just bother me. Maybe I am just too ANAL! Wish me luck.

GREGG

[Harmon C.]

Re: Save the wave !

Gregg Complete with waves is OK. Good Luck

[Steve L.]

Re: 73-front urethane bumper repair

Guys,
My original never replaced or painted 73 bumper doesn't have any waves at all.It fits perfectly.

Guess I was just lucky? I don't think the comment that they all "wave" really applies.

Steve L
73 coupe since new

[Edward McComas]

Re: 73-front urethane bumper repair

This situation of original 73 bumper covers being fairly straight, and later GM replacement covers being wavy was explained to me like this: The urethane mix of the original covers was a bit stiffer, but it also made the covers more prone to cracking. The urethane mix of the later covers was more flexible but also more wavy. I don't know how true any of this is, but I thought I would pass it on.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73-front urethane bumper repair

Ed I agree!! The original bumper was black and much stiffer. The grey GM replacement has got more flexable over the years. I would say the wave is what we look for as compared to solid fiberglass replacements.

[Steve L.]

Re: 73-front urethane bumper repair

Yup, mines black under the paint. People kept a one square inch at the very tip free of paint for me in parking lots. I was thinking of putting one of those long flags that are used on bicycles on the tip to mark the front end.