I'm getting ready to paint my 73 stingray (not me the shop) and since my baby was the last corvette with rear bumpers and they're not in great shape, I want to either rechrome or buy new. I've been told the buy new doesn't work out because of quality and of course they're not original (mines a driver but a good one). I've also heard that new ones don't always fit. I've priced new ones through the usual catalogs and the price isn't that bad. I have side pipes the chrome type and they're worst than the bumpers but they go for about twenty-four hundred new. Can you rechrome them?
Marty

 

My .02, Rechrome bumpers and sidepipes.

 

Hi Marty 73, Thats a tough question, DocRebuild.com offers new rear bumpers "Rerun from GM" tools #7831155 & 7831156 at $279. each (203-366-1332) However I also heard that it is tough to get those bumpers the fit exactly, new or replated. It's up to the body man to install the bumpers and build the fiberglass around them. Talk to your body man and get his opinion.
As far as the sidepipes, I saw an ad for Pauls Crome Plating on speed TV, I don't no what they charge or what the turn around time is but you might want to try them.PG

 

Go for the re-plating. The body on your car already matches the bumpers. Once they are recromed, there are no fitment issues. I am sending out the rear bumpers off of the 69. The estimated cost is $370.00 for the pair.

 

Id say go with rechroming the bumpers. even though the new ones would most likely look better then a rechrome. the rechrome well fit better and more importantly youll keep the car original.

 

That answer was too easy, if your bumpers fit correctly just recrome them, why try to make something else fit. Now that I've thought about I've bought so many "Exact Reproduction" parts that were not even close. Thanks for the correct answer,PG.

 

Hi pg, thanks for the input. Someone told me the sidepipes were really hard to rechrome because of the kind of metal used. Do you have a number for Pauls or an email address so I can check them out? Thanks again for the info. Marty

 

Hi Marty 73, I saw Pauls crome plating's ad on Two Guys Garage, sorry I didn't take down the #, or send 1969L46 an email see who he used.

 

Paul's Chrome is highly recommended by a couple restorers that I *really* trust (those 6 figures restoration show car folks).

http://www.paulschrome.com

bill.

 

I'd go with the rechrome. I had my front and rear bumpers rechromed here in Houston at DC Bumpers. They're actually plated in Dallas but they do a great job. And there's a lifetime warranty on them. I've already used the warranty for the front bumper, no problem. They charged me $135.00 for each bumper. I'm sure it's higher now.