Hi all,

Just wanted to ask what people's thoughts or experience on Stainless steel bumpers v's restored original.

Having restored a few VW's I've always restored original bumpers, but there seems to be a few Stainless Steel ones available and wanted to ask peoples experience with them.

How do they compare to original?
How well do they fit?
Is the s/s as strong as original bumpers?

I'd imagine S/S you could hammer out and repolish any damage?

I like the idea of a S/S especially the no rusting part, nearly all of the bumpers I've restored eventually start having small spots of surface rust and buffing them out is do able but annoying.

Cheers,

Elias

never had experience with stainless

All my cars have lived outside

I have had several bumpers re-chromed, and the only re-rust problems have been on the inside
Usually taken about 3 years to raise its head, but a wire brush and retreat with Hammertone and good to go.

I tossed up the stainless alternative but decided to have the originals rechromed instead,I was impressed with the service there was a couple of small rust holes and driving light holes in the bar which were repaired prior to rechroming. Hamilton Chrome in Denison st Hamilton did the work and 3 years on they are still good.

Am also curious about the stainless ones... I went rechromed originals with my beetle but the price of the stainless is so cheap compared to rechroming.

hi, i got stainless, heaps lighter, not quite as good fitting and i say not nearly as strong, as originals. but im not planning on running into anything

I chromed the bumpers on my last ghia and on the current one. If you use triple chrome (Cu + Ni + Cr) then it will look great!. I use the guy in Queanbeyan to do the work. He's better than any of the Sydney shops

Nicholas

Thanks for the comments guys, I will most likely go rechrome as I've had a couple of tell me they don't fit as well.

Can anyone recommmend a good rechromer in Melbourne, around western suburbs?

regarding the stainless ones for Karmann Ghias theres a lot of discussion about them on one of the US forums, possibly TheSamba. I get the impression the quality has improved.

Hi learner dubber, did you end up having any luck finding a good chromer in melbourne? Any recommendations?
Cheers

http://www.alburyelectroplaters.com.au/ 

Apparently very good.

I have fitted two set of the S/s bumpers and the quality seem extremely good, i was quoted $846 inc shipping for the bumpers front and rear including overridders and towel rails..... i was quoted $1500 for 1 bumper to re chrome..... i fitted my old ones and polished the hell out of them!!

Waiting for the piggy bank to grow and will go the S/S option.

Oh and finding a good chromer! Ha!! most of the ones i used to use have all shut down.

I just got a quote for $710USD for front and rear euro stainless bumpers - that's including delivery which is very very tempting compared to rechroming costs. At the moment my funds are also being directed towards body work so will post an update if I do decide to eventually go ahead with them.

Quote:

Originally posted by empi I have fitted two set of the S/s bumpers and the quality seem extremely good, i was quoted $846 inc shipping for the bumpers front and rear including overridders and towel rails..... i was quoted $1500 for 1 bumper to re chrome..... i fitted my old ones and polished the hell out of them!! Waiting for the piggy bank to grow and will go the S/S option. Oh and finding a good chromer! Ha!! most of the ones i used to use have all shut down.

Hi,

I have a 69' KG and I did the same, should I get S/S or redo the originals.
I decided to go for the S/S, they fitted perfectly and have a fantastic polished finish.

I hope to sell the original ones one day which will off-set the purchase price of the S/S bars.

Paul

I to will be selling mine once i have obtained the s/s set