What's happened to my bumper?

Discussion in 'Color is everything!' started by V8Adam, Aug 3, 2019.

  1. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    Hey everybody,
    So whilst detailing my '72 Riviera, I really got to know the bodywork and identify issues. One issue I came across is the rear bumper. It has this speckling across it. I had to take the pictures at a weird angle to avoid reflection.

    Does anybody know what this is and how to treat it? I tried metal polish but it didn't help. The front bumper has no such issue.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Have you tried the aluminum foil trick? Ball up some aluminum foil shiny side out and rub it vigorously on a section of the affected area. You can also try rubbing with a paste of baking soda and water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly if you use the baking soda.
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  3. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    Oh wow, thanks Brian, I will give that a go!
     
  4. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Let us know if either one works.
     
  5. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    The chrome is breaking down,..its just what they do
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  6. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    I thought it was stainless steel?
     
  7. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Bumper are chrome plated steel. I use metal polish on some 0000 steel wool. It wont take the freckles out entirely, but it will make them look better than that
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  8. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the info, that's good to know. I will try some of these suggestions and let you know.
     
  9. dynaflow

    dynaflow shiftless...

    ...nope, just shiny body trim was stainless into '70s. Historically, bumpers were chrome-plated, even during Korean War nickel-shortage. Bumpers then were still chrome plated, but without nickel layer, which led to quick rusting and "Korean Chrome" label...
    Chrome is a rust-preventing coating, yours has thinned with time/wear, and is beginning to expose underlying metal...ultimate fix is rechrome, otherwise 0000 steel wool per above, and protect with wax/polish...
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  10. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    You can improve the look somewhat as John and others have noted with 0000 steel wool, metal polish and protect with wax/polish, but there is no miracle fix. Just remember, it's just like a wife wanting a new sofa, pretty soon the entire room will need redone to match the new sofa, if you get the bumper rechromed it will make the rest of the chrome look tired and then you will want to redo it all which is huge $$$
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  11. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    Yup, very good point. That's why I am being cautious about what to do at the moment. There are some little bubbles of rust under the paintwork and all I want to do is rip the whole body off, dip, fix, seal and paint but I know the bill will be huuuuuge!

    Thanks very much for the input and suggestions guys, really appreciate it. Also you couldn't be more right about the sofa analogy!
     

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