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How Do You Guys Keep Your Bumpers From Rusting?

Oppressa - February 4th, 2003 at 10:58 PM

I recently bought new Brazillian bumpers for my 71 bug. I couldn't get hold of any German ones.

I always keep my car under a carport but a few weeks ago during heavy rain, lots of drops bounced off the ground onto my rear bumper and rust marks are appearing!!!

Should I get them rechromed? Find German ones? Get double chromed Brazillian ones? Buy something to protect them?

555bug - February 5th, 2003 at 12:25 AM

I'm sure others will offer better advice but here is mine anyway: I put some eyelids on my wifes 71. They are generally Brazillian crap...I too had rust appearing. So I gave it a quick clean with some 3m and then covered it in fish oil. It looks all shiney but it's a bit sticky to touch. Anyway that was about 5years ago now and no rust

kombi_kid - February 5th, 2003 at 06:48 AM

my advice:
STAY AWAY FROM BRAZILIAN CRAP!!!!!!!
cheers
rhys

vw54 - February 5th, 2003 at 08:11 AM

Simple buy them new and spend a few hundred and get them re chromed.

Brazilian bars and chrome does not have copper under it.

Oppressa - February 5th, 2003 at 09:15 AM

Best place to get them rechromed?

vdbleu2002 - February 5th, 2003 at 07:47 PM

I suggest you spray fish oil on the inside and use a metal polish on the outside and try to keep it dry as much as possible

KruizinKombi - February 5th, 2003 at 08:04 PM

Opressa, try your nearest chroming/electroplating shop. Be prepared for a sting, there is a lot of polishing (labour=$$$) involved in chroming.

There are two common types of chroming, nickel and chromium, or copper, nickel and chromium (commonly referred to as triple-plating).

The extra layer of copper is useful to fill any pits or ripples that cannot be reasonably polished out. It provided a nice, soft, thick layer which is somewhat similar in purpose to spray putty, and helps to get a smoother finished.

If you are plating a new part, or if an absolutely immaculate (show) finish is not worth the extra dollars to you, go for the two-layer process and save yourself a heap of cash. :thumb

Ps. I hope I haven't got my copper and nickel the wrong way around. :o

Woozy - February 5th, 2003 at 10:57 PM

You could always take the bumpers off completly
:bounce:bounce:bounce:bounce:bounce

vw54 - February 6th, 2003 at 06:33 AM

try All Model at Villawood, but there out of action for a few weeks due to refurbishing the plant.

Col no you got the sequence right.

5PL1TDCS10N - February 6th, 2003 at 01:49 PM

I usually clean it with wax+grease remover first, then polish with damp cloth using Brasso, then after polishing it off spray some RP7/ CRC on it.
On the inside just keep spraying RP7/CRC/WD40 on it. Better than fishoilene as its nor sticky/messy/smelly and is clear in color!

Works for me and my car is out in the open all seasons....

But I guess nothing beats getting good chrome to begin with....