What A Day....
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Ky/Va Mountains
Originally Posted by RockPick
I got a ticket for 75 in a 55 and then locked my keys in my (rental)truck... looks like today sucked for alot of us.
I somehow knew I would see your name in this post.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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I think it can be fixed if to your liking... If it were mine I would remove the top black plastic trim piece and buy a new one. While the trim piece was off I would see if you could hammer all of the bulge in.
The next step would be to scuff up the bumper where you would repair it with some fiberglass. Mind you I would only repair the area where the indentation is in the bumber is. I'm talking about the width of your liscense plate. I would then glass it in and sand it down smooth and then prime it. I would then go to a decal or sign shop and get a piece of flat black vinyl cut approx 11" by 3" and put it over the area that you repaired. The edges would look nice and straight with the graphic.
It should not cost you much to repair it the black bumper trim piece will run you the most. The fiberglass, paint/primer and vinyl graphic should all be under $30. I think it would hide it very well... Let me know if you need more direction...
A second thought...
You could also go to a machine shop and have them cut out a piece of diamond plate in the shape of a trapazoid, and have them put a lip on the long end. Hold it on with a nice stainless 2" steel hitch ball. Powder coat the diamond plate black or leave it polished and your readly to roll...
The next step would be to scuff up the bumper where you would repair it with some fiberglass. Mind you I would only repair the area where the indentation is in the bumber is. I'm talking about the width of your liscense plate. I would then glass it in and sand it down smooth and then prime it. I would then go to a decal or sign shop and get a piece of flat black vinyl cut approx 11" by 3" and put it over the area that you repaired. The edges would look nice and straight with the graphic.
It should not cost you much to repair it the black bumper trim piece will run you the most. The fiberglass, paint/primer and vinyl graphic should all be under $30. I think it would hide it very well... Let me know if you need more direction...
A second thought...
You could also go to a machine shop and have them cut out a piece of diamond plate in the shape of a trapazoid, and have them put a lip on the long end. Hold it on with a nice stainless 2" steel hitch ball. Powder coat the diamond plate black or leave it polished and your readly to roll...
Last edited by John from Flori; Jun 25, 2005 at 01:18 PM.
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I am not a body guy. But I know a good one, that does work for me at a fraction of what it usually costs. He took a glance at the picture and suggested you take it to a small, back street repair shop, and talk to the guys. Let them know you are not getting insurance on it, and want to pay cash.
The part costs a heck of a lot less than the dealer wants, and also, there are a lot of neat tricks the lower end shops do that can salvage something like that. An example, I have watched these guys tie to a telephone pole and slowly pull bumpers back into shape, tapping it all the time with a hammer. It's an art, more than a skill, and the right guy can save you a fortune.
Take a week or so, to relax about it, and talk to a couple small shops.
Couldn't hurt.
Chris
The part costs a heck of a lot less than the dealer wants, and also, there are a lot of neat tricks the lower end shops do that can salvage something like that. An example, I have watched these guys tie to a telephone pole and slowly pull bumpers back into shape, tapping it all the time with a hammer. It's an art, more than a skill, and the right guy can save you a fortune.
Take a week or so, to relax about it, and talk to a couple small shops.
Couldn't hurt.
Chris
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