New Repro Bumper quality is BAD

[kens65fb]

Last year I purchased a new front bumper for my 64. from the TRUCK and CAR SHOP, out of Orange California

It sat in the box for almost a year until yesterday.
Upon removing it from the box, I was initially impressed with the chrome quality, it looked really nice.

Later when I was ready to install the bumper, I noticed many large scratches under the chrome finish, almost like circular sanding scratches, from a grinder, were not removed prior to the chrome plating.

When installed, the defect is not readily noticed, unless you look for it, but I'm not happy

The brand of the bumper was Counterpart.

[joesscamaro]

Hate to hear that for you. It stinks when you buy parts in advance and when it's time to install, you have an issue with them.

[72Mountaineer]

I had a similar situation with the same vendor. I bought a chrome grille for my '53 Chevy at Carlisle, the one on display was great. When I got the one home in the box I bought, I hated to install it, the chroming was that bad. Should opened the box before I loaded it. Counterpart also.

[350TacoZilla]

Sorry to hear you had that, though I guess upside is it isn't a glaring problem. This is one of the things that sucks about collecting pieces one at a time for a project. I have been slowly buying a part here and there for years and worry by the time I go to use it it's out of warranty or return period and then I find a problem. But at same time it's not easy to just buy everything at once.

[AcampoDave]

Yep, I've seen them warp like a funhouse mirror around the bolts when they get tightened down too.

[bigmoe]

I had the same thing with a bumper from Classic Truck Parts. You could see sanding marks under the chrome in some spots. I had purchased it months before I actually pulled it out of the box. I sent them photos. They sent me a replacement right away and didn't want the bad one back.

[61hawk]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

I had the same thing with a bumper from Classic Truck Parts. You could see sanding marks under the chrome in some spots. I had purchased it months before I actually pulled it out of the box. I sent them photos. They sent me a replacement right away and didn't want the bad one back.

Was the replacement much better?

[bigmoe]

Originally Posted by 61hawk

Was the replacement much better?

Better but still a repro bumper. They all seem to have lighter gauge steel than originals.

[forestb]

I purchased a rear bumper for my 62 step side from classic industries probably around 15 years ago and am vary happy with it.Even happey with the gauge of the mettle.

[motorcity23]

I just installed a Counterpart front bumper that arrived today ('63). You can definitely see sanding marks under the chrome, but you need to be reasonably close.
It weighs 23lbs
My original painted weight 35lbs
I also have a new painted from Classic Truck parts, also 23lbs, but not in a Counterpart box.
Local plater wanted $500 each to do them.
Just don't bump anything I think

[Vortech]

Has any one here seen or purchased the new premier series rear bumpers from OER though classic industries?

[oldtrux]

Find a clean og bumper and have it chromed!
Not as cheap as repop but …….

[Flathead Smith]

... plus the original is much more durable... many of the re-pops can be bent by hand.

[Arne]

Originally Posted by oldtrux

Find a clean og bumper and have it chromed!
Not as cheap as repop but …….

Do you have any local chrome plating shops left where you are? I sure don't. All closed and gone.

Originally Posted by motorcity23

I just installed a Counterpart... <snip>
It weighs 23lbs
My original painted weight 35lbs

The OER front bumper at Classic Industries has a claimed shipping weight of 37 lbs. Must be heavier than the Counterpart, box and packing can't weigh 14 lbs, I'm sure.

[oldtrux]

Quick google search shows a bunch of chrome shops Oregon

[Arne]

Originally Posted by oldtrux

Quick google search shows a bunch of chrome shops Oregon

True, but none that I have contacted want to do this kind of work.

[Vortech]

I can't locate an OG rear bumper in California for the 60-66 model years, and if I could, plating is around 450 - 550 in California. I may just go with an OG 71-72 C10 rear bumper. Those sell for about 400 re-chromed.

[forestb]

I don’t know what it is like in other states but all the chroming that I have had done in California doesn’t seem to last vary long.

[Arne]

Originally Posted by Vortech

Has any one here seen or purchased the new premier series rear bumpers from OER though classic industries?

I can't speak to the quality of the Premier bumper for the rear, but I pulled the trigger on a front OER Premier bumper using the Halloween 20% off sale.

It arrived today, and I'm pretty pleased with it. The bumper itself weighs over 30 lbs (almost 32 by my scale), definitely much heavier gauge steel compared to others I've seen. No flex to it, which actually made it a bit of a pain to fit. The chroming looks good, I haven't found any noticeable finishing marks or flaws in it.

Seems to be a pretty good piece, IMO.

[forestb]

Looks good. I like that green

[Vortech]

thanks, I may pull the trigger on the rear bumper. Looks good