Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*Mister-B* · 01-26-2013, 04:01 PM

I bought an original front bumper off a '67 at the junk yard this week. Structurally, it was in good shape, but the chrome was dull and it had some 40 year old insurance company bumper stickers on it. I bought it anyway, and decided for $45, it was worth the gamble, seeing as repro bumpers are $150 plus $50 for shipping, and likely won't be as heavy as an original chevy bumper. I've also heard the chrome can be iffy.

So, I started out by removing the bumper stickers with a heat gun and a plastic putty knife. Got the remaining sticky stuff off with some GoofOff and a rag. Next I washed it with some dawn soap, hot water, and a rag. Followed that with Eagle One Neverdull. Then I used some Mothers chrome polish and the drill attachment shown

As I removed the haze from the polish with a rag, I could not believe how nice and shiny the chrome is!

Too bad I didn't take a before shot, but I think you can tell from the after shot that this turned out quite well.
Posted via Mobile Device

black_sheep454 · 01-26-2013, 04:22 PM

Looks good, now you just gotta put it on
Posted via Mobile Device

DREAMER1 · 01-26-2013, 04:22 PM

I'm calling BS on this one!....wow that really looks great. It's amazing what a Lil elbow grease will do to a junkyard find.
Posted via Mobile Device

*Mister-B* · 01-26-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by black_sheep454

Looks good, now you just gotta put it on
Posted via Mobile Device

Yeah, but I gotta remove the old one first lol. It was a pain to remove this one from the truck at the junk yard. 45 year old rusted bolts can be loads of fun. I was laying down in snow and ice, and puddles of PB Blaster that made me smell like a smelter for the rest of the afternoon lol. Damn, I'm actually still stiff all over from it. Maybe in a week or two, I'll be dumb enough to forget how much a pain it was, and I'll just tackle it
Posted via Mobile Device

*Mister-B* · 01-26-2013, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DREAMER1

I'm calling BS on this one!....wow that really looks great. It's amazing what a Lil elbow grease will do to a junkyard find.
Posted via Mobile Device

Lol. Yeah, it's legit.
Posted via Mobile Device

69GWC · 01-26-2013, 04:53 PM

Yeah that will really make the front of your truck nice.
Posted via Mobile Device

54blackhornet · 01-26-2013, 05:42 PM

I just love your workshop

the view is nice ! Do the neighbors ask questions when you walk upstairs with the bumper in hand ? Just bustin ya ! The bumper looks super......

Posted via Mobile Device

2Cav · 01-26-2013, 06:02 PM

That is awesome! Congrats!

Jeff

kcfirstbuild · 01-26-2013, 06:29 PM

They clean up nice. I use sos pads and 3 in 1 oil then buffed the check out of it. Only one bit of rust i cant get off.

**jocko** · 01-26-2013, 06:43 PM

yeah, junkyard bumper... Riiiiighttt.....

Just kidding - Looks VERY nice!

*Mister-B* · 01-26-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 54blackhornet

I just love your workshop

the view is nice ! Do the neighbors ask questions when you walk upstairs with the bumper in hand ? Just bustin ya ! The bumper looks super......

Posted via Mobile Device

Lol. Yeah, the neighbors all know me well, and love to talk to me about the truck.

Just working with what I've got lol. Used to have a nice house and killer garage. Lost it in the divorce. Oh well. I'm remarried now, and much happier.
Posted via Mobile Device

nobolt · 01-26-2013, 07:49 PM

Metabo - it will have the old bolts off PDQ

*Mister-B* · 01-26-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobolt

Metabo - it will have the old bolts off PDQ

Huh?
Posted via Mobile Device

**jocko** · 01-26-2013, 08:06 PM

That's Algonquin for "Mister B"..

*Mister-B* · 01-26-2013, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

That's Algonquin for "Mister B"..

Oh, ok lol. I still don't know what he's trying to say though. My truck has a bumper on it, and I'll need to remove it before I can install this one. Is that what he's referring to?
Posted via Mobile Device

**jocko** · 01-26-2013, 08:10 PM

no idea either, I was just foolin around.

I don't speak Algonquin...

Justin36 · 01-26-2013, 08:27 PM

Good job!
Posted via Mobile Device

**TBONE1964** · 01-26-2013, 08:49 PM

Metabo is a tool that uses a cut off wheel. I am not sure it would work well in your case. You want to get the old bolts off without cutting into the brackets or anything else.

You did a great job bringing the bumper back to life Mr-B. I am not into the aftermarket parts myself and would rather have a not perfect original GM piece rather than a reproduction part.

**Already Gone** · 01-26-2013, 10:14 PM

I was gonna pull my original front bumper and send it out for a re- chrome for $300/350 but think I will try this first.
Posted via Mobile Device

pritch · 01-26-2013, 10:32 PM

Man, that really does look good! Nicely Done!

white 67 · 01-26-2013, 11:18 PM

Looks good, I always forget to take before pics too.

Spartan · 01-27-2013, 02:48 PM

I've been following MisterB posts and it's always positive. I remember thinking nice "shop" for the steering wheel resto questions...
Nice find and I can't help thinking that if you had a place to keep these trucks it would be a great resource for parts in the future.
Nice bumper resto!
Posted via Mobile Device

*Mister-B* · 01-27-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

Metabo is a tool that uses a cut off wheel. I am not sure it would work well in your case. You want to get the old bolts off without cutting into the brackets or anything else.

You did a great job bringing the bumper back to life Mr-B. I am not into the aftermarket parts myself and would rather have a not perfect original GM piece rather than a reproduction part.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

As for the bolts, they are attached to the brackets from behind, and I have the bolts that connect them to the frame. When you remove these bumpers from the truck, it's too hard to reach up and remove all of the bolts. So, removing it at the attachment point for the bracket is easier with some of the bolts.
Posted via Mobile Device

*Mister-B* · 01-27-2013, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan

I've been following MisterB posts and it's always positive. I remember thinking nice "shop" for the steering wheel resto questions...
Nice find and I can't help thinking that if you had a place to keep these trucks it would be a great resource for parts in the future.
Nice bumper resto!
Posted via Mobile Device

I would definitely love to have a bunch of land, and some sort of barn. One day. One day
Posted via Mobile Device

noch · 01-27-2013, 06:16 PM

Nicely done. I will try this on the used ones i just picked up. Were there any abrasions that had that rusty color to them? Also, any advice for hammering out dents?

01-26-2013, 04:01 PM	#1
Mister-B Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,331	Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! I bought an original front bumper off a '67 at the junk yard this week. Structurally, it was in good shape, but the chrome was dull and it had some 40 year old insurance company bumper stickers on it. I bought it anyway, and decided for $45, it was worth the gamble, seeing as repro bumpers are $150 plus $50 for shipping, and likely won't be as heavy as an original chevy bumper. I've also heard the chrome can be iffy. So, I started out by removing the bumper stickers with a heat gun and a plastic putty knife. Got the remaining sticky stuff off with some GoofOff and a rag. Next I washed it with some dawn soap, hot water, and a rag. Followed that with Eagle One Neverdull. Then I used some Mothers chrome polish and the drill attachment shown As I removed the haze from the polish with a rag, I could not believe how nice and shiny the chrome is! Too bad I didn't take a before shot, but I think you can tell from the after shot that this turned out quite well. Posted via Mobile Device Last edited by Mister-B; 01-26-2013 at 04:19 PM.

01-26-2013, 04:22 PM	#2
black_sheep454 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lebanon, Mo. Posts: 1,315	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! Looks good, now you just gotta put it on Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1968 chevy lwb, getting ready to join forces with the 70 gmc 1970 gmc swb, getting ready to be a 68 chevy swb 1971 gmc lwb 2500 2wd Sierra Grande 1988 chevy 1-ton crew cab 2wd waiting for a 12v cummins

01-26-2013, 04:22 PM	#3
DREAMER1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: baytown, texas Posts: 310	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! I'm calling BS on this one!....wow that really looks great. It's amazing what a Lil elbow grease will do to a junkyard find. Posted via Mobile Device

01-26-2013, 04:53 PM	#6
69GWC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,089	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! Yeah that will really make the front of your truck nice. Posted via Mobile Device

01-26-2013, 05:42 PM	#7
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,391	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! I just love your workshop the view is nice ! Do the neighbors ask questions when you walk upstairs with the bumper in hand ? Just bustin ya ! The bumper looks super...... Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD

01-26-2013, 06:02 PM	#8
2Cav Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 22	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! That is awesome! Congrats! Jeff __________________ St. Louis, Mo 1969 C10 2011 Dodge Charger R/T (custom)

01-26-2013, 06:29 PM	#9
kcfirstbuild Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Wing Mn Posts: 526	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! They clean up nice. I use sos pads and 3 in 1 oil then buffed the check out of it. Only one bit of rust i cant get off.

01-26-2013, 06:43 PM	#10
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! yeah, junkyard bumper... Riiiiighttt..... Just kidding - Looks VERY nice!

01-26-2013, 07:49 PM	#12
nobolt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Algonac, MI 48001 Posts: 1,848	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! Metabo - it will have the old bolts off PDQ __________________ Dave "... government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. Thomas Paine "It wasn't a lie, it was ineptitude with insufficient cover." Donald Draper (Mad Men)

01-26-2013, 08:06 PM	#14
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! That's Algonquin for "Mister B"..

01-26-2013, 08:10 PM	#16
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! no idea either, I was just foolin around. I don't speak Algonquin...

01-26-2013, 08:27 PM	#17
Justin36 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Selmer, Tennessee Posts: 744	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! Good job! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Justin

01-26-2013, 08:49 PM	#18
TBONE1964 Cluster King Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Junction City, OR Posts: 5,263	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! Metabo is a tool that uses a cut off wheel. I am not sure it would work well in your case. You want to get the old bolts off without cutting into the brackets or anything else. You did a great job bringing the bumper back to life Mr-B. I am not into the aftermarket parts myself and would rather have a not perfect original GM piece rather than a reproduction part.

01-26-2013, 10:14 PM	#19
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,143	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! I was gonna pull my original front bumper and send it out for a re- chrome for $300/350 but think I will try this first. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

01-26-2013, 10:32 PM	#20
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! Man, that really does look good! Nicely Done! __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

01-26-2013, 11:18 PM	#21
white 67 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: coupeville ,washington Posts: 348	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! Looks good, I always forget to take before pics too.

01-27-2013, 02:48 PM	#22
Spartan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Backwoods, OR Posts: 888	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! I've been following MisterB posts and it's always positive. I remember thinking nice "shop" for the steering wheel resto questions... Nice find and I can't help thinking that if you had a place to keep these trucks it would be a great resource for parts in the future. Nice bumper resto! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ '69 K20 350/4 speed/Rockwell/D44/HO52. "orange rhymes with door hinge"

01-27-2013, 06:16 PM	#25
noch Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Little Rock AR Posts: 18	Re: Front bumper junk yard restoration. WOW! Nicely done. I will try this on the used ones i just picked up. Were there any abrasions that had that rusty color to them? Also, any advice for hammering out dents?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.