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Posted by: matchpoint Jul 23 2016, 09:14 PM

Does anyone have a suggested product or system to use to restore my 1976 - 914 rubber bumpers back to a good looking black. I have read about many product like peanut oil, sunflower oil, motor oil, cooking oil, heat gun and many more. I did a teat sample on the bottom of the front bumper using tire black, back to black & vegetable oil. Of the 3 the vegetable oil looked the best after application and a 5 min dry. I would think nothing will provide a long term fix but just a one month restore to a black would be great.
Thanks

Posted by: Menmojo Jul 23 2016, 09:22 PM

Try Vasoline.....really. It works.

Posted by: Drums66 Jul 23 2016, 09:27 PM

QUOTE(Menmojo @ Jul 23 2016, 08:22 PM)

Posted by: Old Yella Jul 24 2016, 12:21 AM

Just post a wanted ad. You will be flooded in BBBB's Big beautiful Black Bumpers.

I got two excellent ones to swap out my faded ones. $30 each, but bet you can get them for free. Plenty of backdating going on. They won't be appreciated until they are as rare as rhino horns, then there will be a mini rush.

Posted by: jim_hoyland Jul 24 2016, 06:17 AM

I went over to a local auto-body supply shop before tackling this. They recommended:

Remove the bumpers and set up some saw horses to work from

1. Thorough cleaning to rid the rubber of all dirt and chemicals
2. Dry thoroughly, then "sand" with a Scotchbite.
3. Clean again and the spray with molding paint

Bought all the stuff there; in addition, I got a can of rubber body repair to smooth out a rough area. It's like a bindi for rubber.

If you want the brands names, I can get them later . Good luck with the project; you'll be surprised at how good they will turn out

Posted by: Coondog Jul 24 2016, 07:35 AM

QUOTE(Old Yella @ Jul 23 2016, 11:21 PM)

Posted by: slotty008 Jul 24 2016, 08:01 AM

I use "Pneu" from Swissvac (was Swissol before) Very easy to use and it stays for 3 to 4 months. Spray it on and wait for 5 minutes. Then wipe off.

Posted by: Tom_T Jul 24 2016, 01:32 PM

In addition to the items above, we've had good luck with a product called "Bumper Black" sold at BavAuto, & other make specific & FLAPS stores (store &/or on-line), with the similar "synthetic rubber" plastic material on my 85 BMW 325e & our son's `88 Honda Civic HB - which is the same or similar material as on the 57-76 914 BUBs.

It's a simple apply, soak, reapply (usually 1-3x applications in total) until you get an even black/semi-shiny finish, then maybe an annual touch-up or before shows/concours.

I've also used Wurth Rubber Treatment spray on my `73's chrome bumpered "rubber" top pads to some success, but they didn't suffer from any serious sun fading, & that tends to not last as long.

IMHO - no need to remover them from the car in either case above, but it depends on how much white-ish oxidation or faded material you have & if you need to remove the top layers to get them nice.

BTW - I too think that the BUBs look good on a Black & certain other darkish colors of 914 - especially with nice brightwork on the car.


Tom
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Posted by: Tom_T Jul 24 2016, 01:33 PM

QUOTE(slotty008 @ Jul 24 2016, 07:01 AM)

Posted by: OU812 Jul 24 2016, 03:53 PM

Has anyone used that "Wipe New" product from rustoleum?

It is like amor all on steroids.

Posted by: toolguy Jul 24 2016, 09:31 PM

OK time to share one of my favorite products for restoring Black rubber, plastic and vinyl. . . . Read the hype on their site. . works just like advertised. . My most drastic test was to sand plastic parts to remove deep scratches, then apply Solution Finish as directions, let it dry overnight and buff to a satin finish. . Gave my old truck bumpers a treatment months ago and they still look new. .

http://www.solutionfinish.com/

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Jul 24 2016, 09:49 PM

If there are no pics of great looking bumpers, it means none of this shit works.

Posted by: OU812 Jul 25 2016, 04:00 AM

QUOTE(toolguy @ Jul 24 2016, 10:31 PM)

Posted by: eyesright Jul 25 2016, 11:00 AM

I'm in SW Oklahoma. My '76 bumpers, fog lights, and rubbers are free to a good home.

Posted by: slotty008 Jul 26 2016, 02:18 PM

QUOTE(Tom_T @ Jul 24 2016, 09:33 PM)

QUOTE(slotty008 @ Jul 24 2016, 07:01 AM)

I use "Pneu" ....

It seems to me that there was an old Monty Python TV show bit about that!


Tom
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