Thanks for reading my post. I am restoring a 70 GS 455. I got my front bumper to Tri-City Plating in Elizabethton TN a week ago. They are going to straighten it and work out dents etc and then chrome it. I am wondering what the back side of the bumper should look like. I have total confidence in Tri-City and their ability. But I am wondering exactly what it "should" look like to be correct. What did the back side of the bumpers look like when the cars were new? Thanks For Your Help! Mark
They were not polished to the extent that the outside was polished to, so will not have a mirror shine. They were, however plated with the same process, so, except for the level of shine, the color will be the same. No flaking or peeling, etc, is acceptable. If you are paying about $500, that is what you should expect. Peeling or flaking on the back side is a dead on give away that the front will do the same, soon.
I realize this isn't the way the factory did it but usually paint them flat black and I have never lost any points for it.. In most cases the back side of the bumpers aren't very pretty, even if you use a perfect rust free, pit free core, so whatever you use on it make sure it's flat so it doesn't reflect onto the paint on the body.
Thanks Everyone!! I also asked a buddy that has a number of nice cars what he does. He said after his are rechromed he scuffs the inside before he applies POR-15 to them. He said they have a silver color that's good. Not a glossy finish, maybe satin or semi-gloss. After reading all of the feedback here and what my friend does I think that's the route I will go. Mark
Unprotected, they will eventually turn to some shade of rust, so paint or body 'shutz' will protect the back steel surface. Silver is probably a more natural finish, but they also look nice in satin black too, as they are seldom seen from the exterior of the car. :TU:
