Rear bumper

[Clayton]

Went to have my rear bumpers ( US version) re-chromed and was told they are too far gone to be done. I saw some oxidation but, didn't think that they were toast. Started looking at eBay and now more confused than when I started. New, old, Taiwan, stainless steel...… I am trying make a "great daily driver". Any thoughts from the crew?

[mdsalemi]

Before you give up...have you taken them to more than one place?
Oxidation is no cause for concern, it's pitting that will be an issue. If it's serious, you'll have pitted bumpers. Some of this can be ground out but not all.

I'd just be on the lookout for a reasonable set of used if your are not good.

[Clayton]

Yea, they said they were able to poke a hole through it.....Homer Simpson sound please!

[Garry]

I have tried to]a set of SS bumpers.  They were a good fit but do not have the depth of lustre that a true chrome one does but for a driver they are a good buy.

[Shvegel]

I have the reproduction chrome ones.  Good for a non show car.  A little thinner and mine came with 3/8 X 16 threads rather than 10mm but other than that. 

[Sleek Lemur]

My car was repainted 3 years ago and I now notice a slight rust stain when the rear bumper irons fix to the body. I'm thinking there should be some sort of gasket between the two (?)

[DaveB]

I don't think there's a gasket. The parts diagram does not show one. I'd recommend removing the bumper and finding where the rust is coming from. Perhaps it's the bolt or nut - which is welded into the tail panel I believe - or the bracket. Hopefully it is not the tail panel itself.
Rust needs moisture and oxygen so try to exclude them when you reassemble. Wire brushing,  rust converter and anti-seize grease on the bolt may help, or replace with new bolts. As for a gasket, although there's (apparently) no factory gasket I would make one out of denso tape, it is excellent for preventing corrosion. See the link below, this is Australian but I'm sure there's equivalent tape elsewhere. Also, polish all rust streaks off the paint surface of course.

https://tapesonline.com.au/products/denso-tape

[Clayton]

I did have some concern of SS lacking luster. So now, I am thinking chrome. Has anybody tried the URO versions? And, I assume that modifying for US version is just drilling a hole for the guard....

[Shvegel]

There are usually used US versions with the holes used on eBay as well.  You could buy them and have them chromed. Drilling a repo isn’t a big deal but I would drill a small hole and use a stepped drill bit to enlarge it.  You will get a much cleaner hole and reduce your risk of peeling the chrome or distorting the bumper.

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10193A-Titanium-Drill-3-Piece/dp/B001OEPYWK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1532950681&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=stepped%2Bdrill%2Bbit&dpPl=1&dpID=41ZZUg7E7wL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

[Clayton]

I received my rear chrome bumpers and "ran" down to the shop ( Onager Mercedes, San Diego ) to install them. I was extremely hesitant to order anything from other than Germany but, they ended up looking great, albeit a little thinner. The US version holes were spot on. The only curve ball was the weld nuts in the bumper were 3/8th...assumedly to avoid patent issues. Threw in some 3/8th  SS bolts and came out with a "W". I know this is not concourse level....but, great daily driver level, this works?

[Clayton]

Thought I was done. Is the inside of the bumper painted the color of the car? Makes sense if the goal was to prevent rust.

[kampala]

Clayton

Take a look here, the bumper paint is explained. 

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=7155.msg45216#msg45216

[Dash808]

.....Homer Simpson sound please!

DOH!!!

[Shvegel]

Home Depot sells a low gloss white that is dead on.  I will shoot a picture of the can when I get home.

[Shvegel]

This is the stuff.  I applied a coat of epoxy primer as a base.