Straightening '66 Bumper

[jrbartlett]

As you know, bumpers on '66 Rivs are fragile. Has anyone run across a chrome shop that can really straighten these? In this case, a rear bumper slightly pushed in right in the center, about a half inch -- which is enough to bow the ends back about the same amount. Thanks.

[Guest palosfv3]

Your best bet is to straighten / align the bumper to the car before removal . We used to do this all the time when these cars were new. It was the only way you could be reasonably sure it would fit properly when it returned from the plater.

[Guest Kingoftheroad]

If you go to the right place, they'll straighten the bumper correctly & re chrome if your so inclined.

I had my front bumper straightened, a dent removed from the leading edge of the bumper and had it re chromed. Think they said they use a gig or mold similar to when the bumper was originally made. Its looks & fits great !

[Guest palosfv3]

There is a difference in removing a dent from a bumper and getting the bumper fitting up squarely to the body. Many of the bumpers of this time when hit in the center would lose their original shape. Yes, you can get a plating shop to straighten out the dents a reshape the bumper but your not guaranteed a good fit unless you mount the bar in place to check its fit. If you do this after the bumper is plated and it doesnt fit you run a good chance of cracking the plating when bending the bar to shape. So the best plan is to square the bumper before sending it to the plater or get the bumper from the plater before he final plates the part and install it on the car to check for fit. Then return the fitted bumper to the plater for finishing.