The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk new chrome bumpers ?

guys, i want a new front chrome bumper for my 57.

any of you have any suggestions on a place where you have personally gotten one and are happy with ?

i dont want to buy some cheaply chromed chinese garbage that will rust and peel in a few years.

thanks.
leonard

In that case... find an original bumper and then find a good chrome shop.

-W

Woogy has the best way. LMC has 2 grades now. I put the premium one on my 58. If you keep the cheap crome waxed it doesn't rust.

Ditto the above. My preference is re-chroming the original stuff.

cool. gonna search my local yellow pages and see what i can find, price and quality wise.
thanks
leonard

Up here with the new environmental concern replating my two bumpers is just less than $1000.00. They call it show chrome and everyday chrome is about $200 less but not the same quality.

wow. hope i find it cheaper down here than a grand. that is way out of my price range for sure.
leonard

I hope you do too Leonard. I am having my front bumper rechromed locally and they quoted $300. You can by repops for around $190 plus shipping - but I too would much rather have the original, and hopefully the chrome is as nice as some of the other work I've seen these guys do.

Dale

dale, now that more in my price range. thanks much, and i will look locally.
leonard

p.s. i love your 56....

Leonard,
I got the premium one that LMC offers ($189+ship)the chrome is pretty nice, but for a daily driver that will see winter im not sure how long it would hold up.
Tim

Thanks for the topic. I have recently purchased a good painted bumper with the plan of getting it chromed. Maybe I'll be further ahead going for the replacement bumper.
Bob

The repops sold by the aftermarket places are not that good on chrome. It will cost you more,but you will be much better off having your old ones rechromed by a reliable chrome shop.

Bumper Boyz in LA quoted around $200 for re-chrome, to that you add freight.
I have friend who had his from a Woody rechromed by them and they looked nice and are now about 3 years old.
Mike

thanks mike. will try here locally first, then maybe give them a call. thanks
leonard

my chrome bumper and the bumper guards have the 'used patina'... if I ever restore this old thing, maybe I'll get fancy then.

Until, then it's just a beat up old truck...

good luck...

-W

Anybody have one of the aftermarket polished stainless bumpers? I've seen them in catalogs but never actually seen what one looks like up close.

wow. what do the stainless bumpers go for ? any pics guys ?
leonard

the stainless ones are a bit pricey, $375 from classic parts. but if they are anything like stainless bumpers in big rigs they are worth it. if you happen to hit something you can always bend it back and it wont show. never seen the finish to it though

GEEZ....That's too much bad news for me to even think about going to Bumper Boys. I'd rather take my chances with a tiawan piece.

Hey guys, I have NOT did any business with Bill's Speed Shop in Illinois ....yet, but I have talked to them and they seem very straight up local folks. They have been advertising chrome bumpers in Old Cars Weekly for a long time. Their ad list bumpers for 1947-72 trucks starting at $105 plus shipping. I called them a while back and if I remember correctly they said one for my panel would be 120 plus shipping. They come with a FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. When I buy one I plan to give these guys the business for at least one. So, if you would like to give them a call at 330-832-9403.

Now a word about Bumper Boyz.... I bought my 37 bumpers from them way back in 2000. Well, one was WRONG and would not fit. After I got that one straightened out I ordered another. The next one has some "frosting" look on the edges. I kept it due to their sorry, or should I say their "know it all" attitude, but everytime I look at it, even till this day, I do a slow burn. They even left washers welded to the back of the bumper where they had some leads attached when plating. Sorry QC! I had also got some other "stuff" from them and I was NOT happy with it. So, for the past 8 years they still do not get MY money.

If anyone calls Bills Speed shop please let us know the FACTS.
I actually just tried to call them so I could give you the facts but they must be closed as I got no answer.

thanks for the heads up, I was thinking of buying a rear bumper from them for my 41.

Greetings Leonard. I too was blown away by a re-chrome quote for a '60 grill and headlight bezels for my '63 stepside. $800-$900!!! I found a local powder coat company. They sand blasted it, I pounded out the dents as best I could and smoothed it with high heat Lab Metal($25). The final coat was silver with a clear gloss that will soon match my Rally rims. The grill itself was $350 w/shipping and the powder coat was $150(including black powder on the buckets and retainers!). If you can live without chrome, Its a great way to go. I'm looking at some late '50's bumpers to have coated an retro-fited to my '63. I don't try hard to be different, I just work with what I can afford!

hey andy, great idea. i will throw that one around before i amke a decision. thanks.
leonard

I recently bought a stainless steel bumper for my '37. It came polished. It almost looks like a chromed piece. Yes it was a little more expensive. My buddies, also car nuts, have seen it and they like the quality too. I considered the repops and read about all the problems with quality. I considered rechroming the old too, but at the time considered the overall cost prohibative. The ss option works for me. Since then I found a shop nearby that gave me a fair estimate (about the same as a repop) to rechrome the old bumper for use on the rear. The bumper needs a fair amount of prep work. It won't be a premier show quality job, but based on their other products I've seen, a quality job.