TheSamba.com :: View topic - Should I paint the back of my WW bumpers?

Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:01 am

Hooray, my Wolfsburg West bumpers came in yesterday!

Although the cip1 site recommended painting the back of their bumpers to help prevent rusting, no such recommendation was suggested at WW.

Should I paint the back of these bumpers? What should I paint it with? spray or brush-on (like Rustoleum, etc.)? I'm thinking of using a gray color...any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:07 am

If you want to be true to the look of original VW bumpers, they should be painted flat grey. I'm not sure what the back side of WW bumpers look like (chromed or not chromed). If they are not chromed, I would certainly use a rust-inhibiting grey paint.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:38 am

67 Florida Deluxe, thanks for the reply. I have not even opened the velour bags the bumpers are in yet. It never occurred to me that the back might be chromed as well. I will certainly check when I get home today.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:11 am

I paint all of mine, grey is correct, unless you got some expensive bumpers I wouldnt think the backs are chrome

Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:08 am

I have some 15 year old WW bumpers. The backs are painted grey and are just starting to show a little rust through the paint. I don't know if the current ones are the same quality, but sure happy with mine.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:47 am

When you open that nice bag, you'll find that the WW boys have already painted the backside of the bumpers the correct color. I never, ever question Kent or Bill May when it comes to correct combos but I believe the correct color is called a silver-gray, I believe L91 or L92---I don't recall. I may be incorrect---that happens frequently. That is what I used on my bumper brackets and it matches the inside of the back bumper perfect.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:08 pm

I painted the back of mine 10+ years ago with hammer rite silver. It gives a slight texture look to it and holds up very well. It is also easy to touch up if you need to, brush or spray on.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:26 pm

henrym wrote: When you open that nice bag, you'll find that the WW boys have already painted the backside of the bumpers the correct color. I never, ever question Kent or Bill May when it comes to correct combos but I believe the correct color is called a silver-gray, I believe L91 or L92---I don't recall. I may be incorrect---that happens frequently. That is what I used on my bumper brackets and it matches the inside of the back bumper perfect.

It's L91 "Chrome"

Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:28 pm

so is l91 correct ??

Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:33 pm

henrym wrote: When you open that nice bag, you'll find that the WW boys have already painted the backside of the bumpers the correct color. I never, ever question Kent or Bill May when it comes to correct combos but I believe the correct color is called a silver-gray, I believe L91 or L92---I don't recall. I may be incorrect---that happens frequently. That is what I used on my bumper brackets and it matches the inside of the back bumper perfect.

geez Kent,Henry is getting really good on this stuff. :wink:

Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:48 pm

bill may wrote:
geez Kent,Henry is getting really good on this stuff. :wink:

Yessir! (even if he is the bastard child of the '67 family :shock: )

:P

Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:49 pm

Yes I just checked my records....it's L91. You better watch it Bill and Kent----I'm schooling up and may have to lay down a load of "correcto' smackdown" on you two codgers.

Hey guys check out my picture (time to brag). Look at the paint quality difference between the apron and fender. The fender paint is original and done by a body shop. The apron was once bondo-king and smashed up which I fixed. Look how flat I got the paint job on it. I'm soooo proud.

Okay..this is the part where you guys say "wow Henry, this is awesome work". Geez thanks Kent. "Henry, you have unseated me as Mr. Correct 67". Aww Bill, you are too kind but I will never reach your level of supreme godliness!

Guys all kidding aside, I located a correct right front fender. It will need work but after the apron job I managed to pull off, I'm very confident so am going to massage it into shape and paint it myself.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:57 pm

henrym wrote: Yes I just checked my records....it's L91.

Oh. I thought you got if from here...

67 Florida Deluxe wrote: henrym wrote: When you open that nice bag, you'll find that the WW boys have already painted the backside of the bumpers the correct color. I never, ever question Kent or Bill May when it comes to correct combos but I believe the correct color is called a silver-gray, I believe L91 or L92---I don't recall. I may be incorrect---that happens frequently. That is what I used on my bumper brackets and it matches the inside of the back bumper perfect.

It's L91 "Chrome"

henrym wrote: You better watch it Bill and Kent----I'm schooling up and may have to lay down a load of "correcto' smackdown" on you two codgers.

Old codger :shock: !? You're older than I am, pally :twisted:

Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:43 pm

If they aren't painted... Get some truck bed roll on stuff... Easy to apply, and should never rust. Then paint over it in the original L91 color...

Just my .02 1/2 cents.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:25 pm

I used a cold galv product called ZincRich from NAPA. Rattle can. Looks like it belongs there and so far has held up great. Salt air here attacks everything.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:17 pm

henrym wrote: .... I never, ever question Kent or Bill May....

Who are they? VW trained technicians? Life partners? 1967 know-it-alls?

Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:18 pm

RareAir wrote: henrym wrote: .... I never, ever question Kent or Bill May....

Who are they? VW trained technicians? Life partners? 1967 know-it-alls?

The last one. They are also my friends. :wink:

Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:21 pm

RareAir wrote: henrym wrote: .... I never, ever question Kent or Bill May....

Who are they? VW trained technicians? Life partners? 1967 know-it-alls?

I think Pablo feels left out :( . He has lots of reliable info, too :wink:

(Life partners??? :x )

Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:25 pm

:lol:

Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:36 pm

Thanks everyone. It does look like the back of my bumpers are already painted.
I'd like to get some of the L91 Chrome paint for my bumper supports.
Who makes it, and where can I get it?
Thanks in advance.

Tom