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Author Topic: aluminum Bumper polishing  (Read 2782 times)

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Offline Clydesdale80

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aluminum Bumper polishing
« on: August 02, 2014, 04:12:03 PM »
I'm wondering if the aluminum bumpers on my 78 hatchback came from the factory with some kind of coating on them or if it is the same aluminum all through the bumper.

Somebody that owned this car before me must have never gotten used to how far the bumpers stick out on these cars and hit everything.  There are scratches and scrapes everywhere.  Can I just sand the damage out using 220 sandpaper and work my way up to polish or would I be removing some important surface layer?
Bought a 1978 hatchback to be my first car.

Offline Clydesdale80

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Re: aluminum Bumper polishing
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2014, 03:40:54 PM »
I know not many of these cars have aluminum bumpers but I was hoping someone would have an idea. Are these bumpers plated with something or is it just bare polished aluminum?
Bought a 1978 hatchback to be my first car.

Offline flash041

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Re: aluminum Bumper polishing
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2014, 07:04:25 AM »
The bumpers have an anodized coating on them. Mine  were pitted with white spots all over . I sanded them with a power vibrating sander starting with 100 grit, finishing with 1200. I also used oven spray to help in the process, as that eats up some of the anodizing.Afte r that use a good aluminum polish and they will shime like chrome. 
1978 Pinto Cruising wagon (I am the original owner ! ) Built Aug 15th 1977 in NJ
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Offline lightning

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Re: aluminum Bumper polishing
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2014, 12:16:38 PM »
Google "Shark Hide". Once polished this product will keep them looking new. We use it on aluminum boats in the PNW.
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Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: aluminum Bumper polishing
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2014, 01:01:10 PM »
Art
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Offline Clydesdale80

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Re: aluminum Bumper polishing
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2014, 05:17:07 PM »
thanks guys, that's exactly what I needed to know  :)
Bought a 1978 hatchback to be my first car.

Offline arkyt

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Re: aluminum Bumper polishing
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2014, 07:18:33 PM »
what about the trim around the drip railings on a '78?  Mine has some kind of ruined coating on them, but the door and wheelwell trim is good.
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Offline Clydesdale80

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Re: aluminum Bumper polishing
« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2014, 08:19:06 PM »
If I remember correctly the drip railing trim is metallic coated plastic and crumbles to pieces if you attempt to remove/repair it... on that note does anyone know of anything to replace it?
Bought a 1978 hatchback to be my first car.

Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: aluminum Bumper polishing
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2014, 06:50:21 AM »
If I remember correctly the drip railing trim is metallic coated plastic and crumbles to pieces if you attempt to remove/repair it... on that note does anyone know of anything to replace it?

Early cars had stainless drip rail trim instead of plastic.
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