Paul Falabella Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Just got chrome back and wondering if it is better to assemble the bumpers, brackets etc, and install? Or put the brackets on the car first?Also I recall reading somewhere to leave some bolts off the mustache grill bar and lightly tighten the rest. True?Any one had any luck with gold leaf? About the only items I didn't get done were the gold plated stuff.Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 (edited) For me assembling the bumper and brackets and then installing to the body worked well on all the cars I've done. Saves a lot of monkey motion and once the assembly is attached to the frame it's easy to loosen this or that for any need adjustments. I usually raise the assembly into position with the help of a bumper jack and my wife to help balance the bumper or pump the jack. Usually no more than 10/15 minutes and she's out-o-there. Seems to me I remember something in one of the manuals saying to leave one or two of the bar bolts out to prevent cracking but it's been awhile.I don't think golf leaf is your answer. Totally different look, at least to me.............Bob Edited April 28, 2014 by Bhigdog (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick840 Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 I am not up to that stage yet but certainly would appreciate you letting us know how you go and what gave the best result for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Actually one of the easiest operations. Assemble bumper/brackets on a pair of saw horses. Place on padded bumper jack. Raise into position. Place 4 bracket to frame bolts in holes. Dismiss helper and fasten/adjust/shim as needed...........Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 I figured preassembling would be the easiest. Just dealing with a heavy bulky unit is the difficult part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 For my 57, I used a 3 ton low profile jack with the assembled bumpers, and made a fixture from a 4 ft 2x6 with 2 ft 2x2 in the front and then attached a small piece of 2x2 right behind the bumper inside to hold in place. Put bumper and fixture (w/brackets attached) under car in position, then jacked it into position, put in bolts, and adjusted as necessary using the jack and a bit of hand finesse. Eliminates the need for a helper and uses the jack as a assist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caballero2 Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 For my 57, I used a 3 ton low profile jack with the assembled bumpers, and made a fixture from a 4 ft 2x6 with 2 ft 2x2 in the front and then attached a small piece of 2x2 right behind the bumper inside to hold in place. Put bumper and fixture (w/brackets attached) under car in position, then jacked it into position, put in bolts, and adjusted as necessary using the jack and a bit of hand finesse. Eliminates the need for a helper and uses the jack as a assist.Me too. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 I assemble mine completely off the car and so far have only had to shim between the brackets and the frame. My last install was super easy, since I found a new use for a transmission jack. Similar to Jim, but with only a 2x4 to keep the ends from rotating and the bumper centered on the jack. The tilt adjustments fine tuned it so that I only had to get down and under the car twice.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 Just unwrapped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 53 Roady Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Is that chrome as good as it looks in the pic? If so who did it?Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted April 30, 2014 Author Share Posted April 30, 2014 Librandi's Middletown(Harrisburg)Pa. Very happy with the results. Will post more pics when I finish reassembly.I'd of moved the Sakrete and Ice-melt if I knew how reflective that piece is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Tips: Before assembly check all the recessed areas for any yellow tint...that is nickel that did not get covered by chrome and will get worse. I even check those areas with a mild chrome polish on a white cloth...any black on the cloth means no chrome there.If you have a stainless steel buffing kit, chuck the stainless steel screws in drill and with the drill turning apply to the buffing wheel...otherwise apply the screws in the turning drill to a mild polishing compound on some heavy cloth.For about $70 new reflectors are available.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted April 30, 2014 Author Share Posted April 30, 2014 Next question. Is it better to assemble the three sections of the mustache bar or install separately?Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Next question. Is it better to assemble the three sections of the mustache bar or install separately?Thanks.Separately, but leave loose until all is lined up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted April 30, 2014 Author Share Posted April 30, 2014 Separately, but leave loose until all is lined up.Seems like that's the way to assemble everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 The wisest thing my father ever said to me was " Never tighten the bolts until they're all started."...............Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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