Backs of Beetle bumpers painted?

[harrymarlin]

Are the backs/insides of Beetle bumpers chrome or painted? I have a 1967 Beetle (Deluxe US Spec), and the back/inside of each bumper looks like a dull gray - I'm thinking either unpolished chrome, or perhaps L91 paint.

Thanks!
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-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia

[finster]

painted - see this discussion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=344316
_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[harrymarlin]

[harrymarlin]

As a follow up, I know aftermarket bumpers (such as WW) are painted in the back, but I'm wondering if OEM ones are.
_________________
-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia

[hitest]

Yes- Silver paint in the inside- same as upright support tubes and brackets.

I also use the wheel paint for its durability- but I rub it with a coarse towel when dry to knock off the excessive gloss. It also slightly dulls the metallic sheen- resulting in very factory-looking finish.
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[T-F-E]

Grey Hammerite paint is very similar to the one VW used inside the bumpers.

[notsnarb]

Original VW bumpers are painted silver on the inner surface. I have NOS boxed bumpers and that's how they are.

WW's L91 silver is the correct match

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=PAINTL91

[bluebus86]

The back of the front bumper was painted, but not so on the rear bumper. At least that is how mine is, and almost every stock Bug I have seen from this era is like that.

Bug On!
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[67 Florida Deluxe]

[67 Florida Deluxe]

[notsnarb]

[67 Florida Deluxe]

[bluebus86]

[harrymarlin]

From a suggestion from another person, what do you all think about the idea the backs may have been unchromed nickle?

- Harry
_________________
-Harry
--------------------------
1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia

[Digger89L]

I agree that the bumper blade backs (front and rear) are painted the same color as the inside of the uprights ...and that there's no sense to the idea that 'deluxe' model bumper blades would be any different than 'standard' model bumper blades. That would be a very strange thing for VW to do back in the day.
_________________
"If you can't fix it with pop rivets, crazy glue and duct tape, or hold it together with zip ties, velcro or magnets, it REALLY is broken."

[notsnarb]

[bluebus86]

my early in year model build 61 Bug had black overrider supports and bumper brackets. I repainted them like original, black when I was a kid, still black today, Once black, you dont go back, at least that is what the originalist said.

Bug On!
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[harrymarlin]

[KTPhil]

I don't remember the brackets and such being black on either my '65 or '67. Like the bumper backs, they were a dull silver-grey. I painted mine bright silver and then saw some original cars and realized it was a little too shiny.

[bluebus86]