Chrome front bumper question

[DANTIP]

My chrome front bumper has some scratches/imperfections. I am considering having it re-chromed if it is a GM part. Can anyone describe or show with photos how to tell the difference between an original bumper and an after-market?

Thanks!

[cdowns]

dont really know the finer points of telling original from repops but know to rechrome a bumper isnt really cost effective as you can get a repop for about 20%of the cost of rechroming a bumper weather it original or aftermarket

[Lippyp]

But at least if you have your bumper re-chromed you know you're getting a decent job not nasty thin chrome that rusts after one winter. I bought a new chrome gas cap from a board vendor and one winter later it was covered in rust.

[bigsnookmaster]

I had my bumpers re-chromed by the Bumper Boyz out of Ca. It cost about 200-220 bucks each. They straighten any imperfections or bends or dent's. They did an excellent job and it is a show quality instead of production quality.Shipping is expensive though! I was lucky because they came to a large swap meet near me and I was able to drop off my bumpers have them done and they came back to Daytona a month later and brought them back with them,so no shipping charge. Their # is 800-815-9009. I looked for NOS bumpers for a while and was glad I had mine re-chromed,because they came out way better than NOS,and cheaper. Oh, the aftermarket bumpers I've seen are about 25% lighter and don't have the "real shine". My .02

[68gmsee]

I called a rechroming shop couple of years ago. The guy told me that it would cost about the the same as a new show quality chromed bumper. I think he mentioned about $200 for rechroming.

He also mentioned that didn't incude taking care of any dents or gouges. I've painted mine for now.

[Joesjunk]

Dan, I believe they best way to tell a factory GM original chrome bumper is to look at the "grain" in the chrome. Usually re-chromed bumper are very smooth and shinny. Factory chrome was not as smooth and has some sort of a grain look to it. I have NOS front and rear bumpers for my Blazer because I like the not so perfect factory look. I know how you are, I would look for an NOS one!!!

[VA72C10]

The one thing not mentioned with the Re-pops is there are the body shop variety that go for 120-180 and the triple chrome plated w/ nickel versions that go for 180-200. Those look very nice with a very deep look to the chrome and a basically mirror finish. The cheaper ones look and feel just that, cheap

[BigDaddyDave]

Re chrome for show trucks,oem for daily drivers.

[HOTFUN]

Dan
Joe said it very well as I also have a pair of NOS bumpers and the chrome quality is just barely "insurance quality" pieces. The best way to tell an oem is on the bumper edges, especially on the bumper ends. GM bars are just rough and sometimes sharp or jagged and the peices was then chromed right over it. Another thing is the bends on the outer corners are generally very dented not smooth and rounded. I would call it more cold rolled when they formed or stamped out. If the bumper has been show replated it may have been worked over on the edges but those cold rolled bends on the upper ends usually are there. The aftermarkets appear much better finish and edges that I have seen. I would call the bumper quality issue a good example of "over restoration" because these bumpers were far from flawless when the truck came out new. On another bumper note I remember in my bodyshop we had a number of new 88 to 93 Chevy trucks come in that we would realign the whole front bumper assembly to make the gaps and bumper fit more correct. They really just threw them on and the gaps would be over an inch off side to side and sometimes not even level.
Mark