Seems like I am taking advantage of this forum. I apologize for that. I hope I can make up for it in the future.

I have a new problem in my restoration project.
The front Urethane Cover has been replace with a Fiberglass cover. It has a crack in it and I wanted to remove it for repair.
I removed the bolts but it is still firmly attached. It appears to have been glued. I tried sliding a utility knife in the seam/joint between the front deck and the bumper cover. No success it is on there very well. It wouldn't even need the bolts to hold it on.
Is this normal? I am afraid to try to pry it off for fear of cracking the nose section. Should I just repair the crack in place and clean out the joint and paint it in place?
I sure hope the rear is not glued as well. I really want to replace it with an original 1974 style Tru Flex

Again I am sorry for being such a pest.
BillinNashville2010-07-15 15:22:33

Bill, no problem with usin us you are edgamakatin us at the same time .

You might as well fix it in place, you could fill the joint for that one piece look as long as both pieces are fiberglass. Just trying to make more work for you

Are you certain you got all of the fasteners off? The '74 is a different animal than any of the other rubber bumper cars. Then again, it may be that the cover and braces have fused themselves to the body. I remember having to learn a few new werds when removing mine years ago...

Joel
I took another look. It looks like whatever metal reinforcing pieces were supposed to be in the corners are not there. I have a 1974 Corvette build manual and it shows them. I am thinking they didn't have them so to make it rigid they bonded the pieces. I found another site where it showed this being do on a drag car to save weight. If I can't get the cover off, It is a fiberglass replacement, I will repair it in place and paint it. I can't even get a razor blade in the joint. It is very tight. If the bond is strong enough I may fill the joint and make it appear seamless. One source said to cut it off if I was going to replace it with Tru-flex. I don't think I'm up for that.

I have a fiberglass front bumper that is molded in. I did glue mine with a GM bonding glue prior to the glasswork. This was reccomended to do so by the bodyshop I chose. So I wouldn't be surprised if you would find the same.

Depending on your crack I agree with the other folks that I would repair the glass on the car. It is very do-able and not too tuff.

Sand - clean - resin - glass matte - a lil more resin - Duraglass (bondo) - sand - prime - sand - paint...

Thanks Tux
It appears this front cover was bonded. I think I might be able to finish that process and do away with the seam altogether. I am not sure how to finish the seam tho. If I just use "Bondo" will it eventually show as a crack? It there a better product to finish the seam.
The seam is very tight. I cannot fit a razor blade in there in most of it.

Well Bill -N- Nashville.... (like the screen name.....) as I said above.

"Sand - Clean - Resin - Fiber Matte - More Resin - Duraglass (a specific bondo with fiberglass mixed in it. Duraglass is the brand.) - Sand - Primer - Sand - Paint.

To be honest the glue most likely will hold everything except the corners. There isn't enough additional bracing to deter the flex & vibration.

But don't run the risk..... wrap er in glass.

As for a lil secret.... My back bumper is urethane and molded in. (LOL)

I wanted a 80 - 82 style bumper to give the car more of the 68-72 old school look. I was at Bloomington Gold when I ran into a guy who had this bumper complete with lights for $80.00.

I knew I would need the lights and the would have cost me that much anyplace else if not more. I bought it from him and bought the rest of my ACI products from the show. They shipped everything straight to my body shop.

When this bumper dies I will pull it off and replace it with the same style of molded in fiberglass bumper.

But it might be sooner as I am contemplating some changes to the rear of the car.....

I think it needs to be a lil more old school and show off a lil more muscle......
                                                                                Tux... Tuxblacray2010-07-16 13:32:33

Thanks Tux
I needed that encouragement. I don't own a body shop. I'm a carpenter and wannabee songwriter

But I have a fair amount of skill and patience with my hands. One thing concerns me is the lack of metal reinforcing that has bee removed from the front end. I think I will order the parts and install them. That should stiffen it up pretty good.
I have an 80's style fiberglass rear bumper cover. It has a small bit of damage on the drivers side, It is easily repairable. (Granddaughter's teenage boyfriend backed into it in my driveway) I don't know if it is bonded on or not. I was thinking of replacing it with the original style Tru-flex but I do like the spoiler. I agree it gives it more the 68-72 look. I might leave it the more I think of it but the previous owner used two tail light lens the same, no backup lights. I'll be fixing that if I can.
You can see the small damage in this picture It's at the bottom of the bumber

BillinNashville2010-07-16 15:04:54