Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: Clayton on July 26, 2018, 14:45:49

Title: Rear bumper
Post by: Clayton on July 26, 2018, 14:45:49
Went to have my rear bumpers ( US version) re-chromed and was told they are too far gone to be done. I saw some oxidation but, didn't think that they were toast. Started looking at eBay and now more confused than when I started. New, old, Taiwan, stainless steel...… I am trying make a "great daily driver". Any thoughts from the crew?
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: mdsalemi on July 26, 2018, 17:00:18
Before you give up...have you taken them to more than one place?
Oxidation is no cause for concern, it's pitting that will be an issue. If it's serious, you'll have pitted bumpers. Some of this can be ground out but not all.

I'd just be on the lookout for a reasonable set of used if your are not good.
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Clayton on July 26, 2018, 22:13:23
Yea, they said they were able to poke a hole through it.....Homer Simpson sound please!
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Garry on July 26, 2018, 22:27:15
I have tried to]a set of SS bumpers.  They were a good fit but do not have the depth of lustre that a true chrome one does but for a driver they are a good buy.
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Shvegel on July 27, 2018, 02:17:39
I have the reproduction chrome ones.  Good for a non show car.  A little thinner and mine came with 3/8 X 16 threads rather than 10mm but other than that. 
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Sleek Lemur on July 28, 2018, 18:12:14
My car was repainted 3 years ago and I now notice a slight rust stain when the rear bumper irons fix to the body. I'm thinking there should be some sort of gasket between the two (?)
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: DaveB on July 29, 2018, 21:24:28
I don't think there's a gasket. The parts diagram does not show one. I'd recommend removing the bumper and finding where the rust is coming from. Perhaps it's the bolt or nut - which is welded into the tail panel I believe - or the bracket. Hopefully it is not the tail panel itself.
Rust needs moisture and oxygen so try to exclude them when you reassemble. Wire brushing,  rust converter and anti-seize grease on the bolt may help, or replace with new bolts. As for a gasket, although there's (apparently) no factory gasket I would make one out of denso tape, it is excellent for preventing corrosion. See the link below, this is Australian but I'm sure there's equivalent tape elsewhere. Also, polish all rust streaks off the paint surface of course.

https://tapesonline.com.au/products/denso-tape
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Clayton on July 30, 2018, 02:33:19
I did have some concern of SS lacking luster. So now, I am thinking chrome. Has anybody tried the URO versions? And, I assume that modifying for US version is just drilling a hole for the guard....
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Shvegel on July 30, 2018, 11:39:26
There are usually used US versions with the holes used on eBay as well.  You could buy them and have them chromed. Drilling a repo isn’t a big deal but I would drill a small hole and use a stepped drill bit to enlarge it.  You will get a much cleaner hole and reduce your risk of peeling the chrome or distorting the bumper.

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10193A-Titanium-Drill-3-Piece/dp/B001OEPYWK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1532950681&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=stepped%2Bdrill%2Bbit&dpPl=1&dpID=41ZZUg7E7wL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Clayton on August 10, 2018, 03:32:56
I received my rear chrome bumpers and "ran" down to the shop ( Onager Mercedes, San Diego ) to install them. I was extremely hesitant to order anything from other than Germany but, they ended up looking great, albeit a little thinner. The US version holes were spot on. The only curve ball was the weld nuts in the bumper were 3/8th...assumedly to avoid patent issues. Threw in some 3/8th  SS bolts and came out with a "W". I know this is not concourse level....but, great daily driver level, this works?
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Clayton on August 14, 2018, 02:35:06
Thought I was done. Is the inside of the bumper painted the color of the car? Makes sense if the goal was to prevent rust.
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: kampala on August 14, 2018, 05:14:33
Clayton

Take a look here, the bumper paint is explained. 

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=7155.msg45216#msg45216

Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Dash808 on August 14, 2018, 05:17:46
.....Homer Simpson sound please!

DOH!!!
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Shvegel on August 14, 2018, 23:28:32
Home Depot sells a low gloss white that is dead on.  I will shoot a picture of the can when I get home.
Title: Re: Rear bumper
Post by: Shvegel on August 15, 2018, 01:50:12
This is the stuff.  I applied a coat of epoxy primer as a base.