Question about fiberglass bumpers I have been thinking about getting my bumper rechromed and straightened (slightly bent) but have been short on cash. I did not realize fiberglass bumpers were so cheap! Do I want a fiberglass bumper on a street car VERY limited strip time (actually limited street time also). What are the pos and cons? Does it require anything special to mount? Can I simply paint and bolt on? What paint do you recommend? (does not have to look chrome) My main interest in fiberglass is simply cost. I can drive to WS Racing so I would avoid shipping cost.
I don't think glass bumpers are street legal. What does a glass one cost? You can have yours rechromed for $300 at www.desertdogautoparts.com in Chicago
I have a glass front bumper on my race only car, so I have a couple thoughts: They are relatively cheap and lightweight. Mine is painted silver (with just regular base coat/clear coat automotive paint) so it does not look chrome but looks ok (I have argent silver rally wheels so it kind of ties it all together). It does chip easily from rocks or tools so you will want to save some touch up paint (which I did not do). One of the reasons I went fiberglass was because my heavy steel bumper (60 lbs for just the chrome faced bumper bar) was breaking the production mounts. I made new mounts out of 1/4 x 2 aluminum strap to hang the glass bumper. I figured it was just as easy to make new mounts and hang the glass as to repair the original so the steel wouldn't break it again. Be careful when you torque the bumper bolts on final installation. If you pull too hard you will crack the paint around each. I used regular carriage bolts, smoothed the heads and painted them silver to match. One other thing is parking light location. My front lights are in the bumper so I had to cut out the glass in the appropriate location and hang the production lights behind the bumper to maintain their appearance and functionality. The fiberglass can also be chromed but it is big bucks. All and all I would encourage you to pursue the fiberglass if you are halfway interested. I have never had any issues with mine on the street but I only drive it about 100 miles per year on the street (AND I tend to stay away from the "local constabulatory" if at all possible) :Brow: I have a pretty good picture but it is too large in file size. I could post it if someone is willing to "make it smaller" for me. K
