Luigi And Me Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 As far as filling in the body panels when removing the bumper, what is the best approach to this? Thanks, Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyc Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 on a 240 like yours...some aluminum bumper brackets and a nice fiberglass bumper... there are steel plates behind the bumper mounts that plates are welded and spot welded to the subframe...so you will be grinding and welding to get it smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 If you have a MIG or TIG (or even OxyAcetylene) making patch panels that 'lay over' the openings and bridge the radius to the 'low spot' are easily cut out of an old hood or door. Tack welding them in place after completely welding the holes behind will allow them to be skim-coated with filler and always allow easy removal come some future time should a new owner wish to reinstall the bumpers. Of course stitch-welding the cover patches can also be done---but with the caveat that the holes in the low spots have to be plugged as anything getting up the backside of your new panel will sit there, and rot the panels from the backside. Even in SoCal, dust will get up inside there, and retain moisture. I have seen people get round plugs (like for the floorboard) to plug the round holes, and hten weld in the top cover. Last thing you want is 1/2" thick of bondo or tiger hair stuck in there to lift out and crack when you get bumped! Personally, I'd be loath to fill the bumper mounting holes/recesses on the back panel. They work great as tow-recovery points. I have seen some nice 'accent' panels like on an old corvette (mini bumper guard looking things) installed over them with everything else smoothed, and they look really cool. And allows you to keep the tiedown / tow attachment point. They look nice all filled in, but those two little 'bullet' bumpers back there set off the back end and give it a 'finished look' IMO---they draw the eye up to the tail light, instead of down to the color/black line where your gas tank inevitably is showing. Overspray, dents, and all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi And Me Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 I greatly appreciate your input fellas! I think I'll end up filling in the bolt holes and covering them up. I really like the clean look of a blank rear end. p.s. That picture isn't of mine, I'm actually picking an orange/red one tomorrow after work. Thanks, Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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