Flipping rear diving board bumper over

[Tom Daley]

Searched but  not answer so hear it goes; Does anyone know if you can flip the rear bumper over on a '76 '02 to the like new surface. Is it top/bottom symmetrical shape wise and mounting holes? Kind of like flipping the pillow over in August (and no AC) to enjoy the cold side for ~26 seconds.

[visionaut]

AFAIK they’re both flippable.

 

My 76er front has two holes underside that would show flipped, but I don’t know if they’re factory. The rears look fully symmetrical in 2 dimensions..

 

 

[Tom Daley]

Fog light holes?

[visionaut]

48 minutes ago, Tom Daley said:

Fog light holes?

Likely. About 1/2” diameter, 1” forward of the bumper rear edge and 3” inboard of the mounting strut centerline.

 

I doubt it’s OE..

[tech71]

2 hours ago, Tom Daley said:

if you can flip the rear bumper over on a '76 '02 to the like new surface.

Is it really like new? I have several diving board bumpers and all have considerable discoloration/oxidizing on lower side.

Probably from increased amounts of road crud splashy splashy and infrequent (if ever) cleaning

Edited May 4 by tech71

[Son of Marty]

Most I've seen the underside is discolored and pitted from the exhaust.

[TobyB]

Double or nothin'

 

t

 

[Stevenc22]

Consider repainting the trim with trim paint. It will look brand new.

[Tom Daley]

No need, trim is perfect as is. Bumper is fairly clean underneath. Scratches on top from luggage etc... Car is 1 owner, 93k miles.  All mileage (except 3 summers of driving in upstate NY) was below the snow/salt belt. Indoor stored 30+ yrs.  Is the bumpet flippable, symetrical???

 

Thanks

[tech71]

8 hours ago, Tom Daley said:

Is the bumpet flippable, symetrical???

One way to know for sure.....

[Conserv]

I once considered this possibility for my ‘76. But the underside of my front bumper was not as smooth — or as shiny —  as the original top surface. It appeared they only made a half-hearted  attempt to finish the bottom.

 

YMMV

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[visionaut]

Physically they flip. That was the Q, no? 
 

I will concur that the underside is definitely more ratty than the upper — possibly finish, possibly much less attention/care over time. (Can you only anodize half of it? IDTS.)

 

But if your uppers are scratched to hell, and you have a smooth bottom—since it is symmetrical, flip it and polish away…

 

<don't go there  >

[Tom Daley]

Thanks, yes, is it symetrical to allow flipping was the question. The bottom is in very good condition. I'll try it this week after work. 

[Conserv]

14 hours ago, visionaut said:

 

…(Can you only anodize half of it? IDTS.)…

 

I had the front and rear bumpers of my ‘76 re-anodized by King of Trim. They look fabulous. Maybe a bit better than in ‘76. The price was also fabulous — not in a good way! $1,000 for the pair

 

I suspect, but don’t know for certain, that many shops who do proper bright-dip anodization would charge pretty much the same to do one or both sides, in effect charging you for the un-done side because you’re asking for “fiddly stuff” rather than “something on the menu”. The un-done side would still get a fresh coating of anodization, but the underlying aluminum wouldn’t get the stripping and smoothing that ordinarily precedes the dipping. Does that mean the re-anodization might fall off? No idea!

 

Despite seeing very average square taillight bumpers listed on eBay for $500 and more, there are lots of square taillight bumpers around, ranging from free to $100. If you’re patient, you can find very clean examples in this “free to $100” range. And if you’re crazy enough to spend $500 per bumper for re-anodizing, find yourself the best candidates you can find, no chips, bends, or even sizable scratches! Yes, they can grind out scratches but that can leave a low spot if It’s deep.

 

My thoughts.

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

[visionaut]

9 minutes ago, Conserv said:

The un-done side

Steve, so you think the top and bottom of the bumper got a different finish from the factory?

 

I’d have thought the full bumper got anodized (even the backside), and the aluminum surface prep was the same on the whole exterior of the bumper. Are you saying the pre-prep prior to the bright anodizing finish was only done on the tops?