What metal is a `74-`76 bumper made of?

[ClayW]

I'm trying to clear up the haze that has always been on my rear bumper. Chrome polish and Bon Ami seems to have no effect. I figure that knowing what metal it is might help.

Any suggestions on what it takes to get rid of the haze?

Thanks in advance.

[esty]

aluminum...it's anodized...good luck

[Guest Anonymous]

translation....its actually 'metal' a type of steel that's electrically coated with aluminum. The cleaner is polishing the thin coating of aluminum on the metal bumper. The electrical coating process is called 'anodizing.'

[ClayW]

So....any hints on getting rid of the haze?

[H_Krix]

translation....its actually 'metal' a type of steel that's electrically coated with aluminum. The cleaner is polishing the thin coating of aluminum on the metal bumper. The electrical coating process is called 'anodizing.'

no, Esty had it right. The whole thing is Aluminum (there might be some zinc and nickel in there too) thats been anodized.

You really only have 2 options:

1: Take the bumper and sand off the anodized coating. Its failing right now and thats whats causing the haze. Once you get rid of it, progressively get finer and finer sandpaper until you're polishing the bare aluminum. This will require you to polish the bumper more often since its uncoated, but polish will actually work.

2: Do the same thing as above, but find a metal shop to re-anodize the bumper once you're done. This will probably be pricey, but it will be sealed for another 30+ years.

[Craig74tii]

I was setting up a group buy awhile ago but didn't get any takers. The price was $100 per bumper and they'll strip, sand out minor scratches and re-anodize.

[napa02]

translation....its actually 'metal' a type of steel that's electrically coated with aluminum. The cleaner is polishing the thin coating of aluminum on the metal bumper. The electrical coating process is called 'anodizing.'

Metal is a type of steel? thats good stuff right there...... Common household oven cleaner will make some head way on removing the anodizing, but as mentioned before sanding and polishing is what your looking at.

[Guest]

Just for you, I'm going to my StorageGarage and have a look at the rear bumper I have stashed somewhere. If it looks better than yours, I'll sell it to you for a lot less than the headaches, time and effort you'll spend on reconditioning the one on your car now. Please stay tuned..............

mac.

PS. Found the bumper. straight, no dents nor dings and except for the scratches(too many) it might have worked. Under the circumstances though, this one is NOT for you.

mac.

[Guest Anonymous]

hommies....when you live in the ghetto, anything shiny is metal....what you're calling 'metal' is (I think) actually something like steel with extra nickle in it for rust resistance. Then like an M&M the outer part is coated with aluminum. When you scratch the bumper, the surface coating scratches first revealing the "metal" (or steel) under surface. This is important because when you select a cleaner you need a product that cleans aluminum (the coating) rather than the 'steel' material underneath. And since I haven't had the bumper off yet (planned to do it but havent yet) I think this is the case (aluminum on top of steel) but havent verified in practice. Sorry if I'm wrong but I think that'w what I'll find.

[randerson]

Is there a company in Nashville that will reanodize bumpers?

I need to have mine refurbished also.

I am not sure where I heard that at.

RAnderson

74SaharaTII

[Craig74tii]

It's aluminum through and through. I took one to a scrap metal yard and they gave me $12.

[esty]

hommies....when you live in the ghetto........

tell ya what hommie.....take your sawzal and cut on in half and take a pic of the steel in the middle for us

[Mike_R]

Big bumper are made aluminum....

Has anyone here ever seen anodized, aluminum clad steel??

I doubt it, because it does not exist.

[Steve73tii]

How about drill a hole in it and see if the *metal* turnings stick to a magnet?

--Steve

[Guest Anonymous]

all right guys...uncle....I give. But if my magnet sticks when I test it tonight you'll owe me....Heh Heh Heh......