Faded bumper fillers

[1984 t-type]

The paint on my car is in fair shape minus a few scratches and chips but it still has a decent shine, problem is the bumper fillers are faded and very dull looking. Was wondering if anyone had any tips on bringing them back to life other than having them repainted ?

 

[aminga]

If they are starting to turn chalky they're not long for this world

 

[1984 t-type]

Chalky ?

 

[626gn]

If you still have the original flexible urethane fillers then what you are experiencing is the beginning of the end. Its a very common problem. Even repainting is not recommended as there is no permanent way to stop the degradation process. They will eventually crack and crumble off the car.

Do a search on bumper fillers then decide which replacement filler is right for you.

 

[1984 t-type]

Who makes good fillers ?

 

[aminga]

Chalky ?

IE faded and dull. I am of course assuming you have GM fillers. If they are aftermarket fiberglass or abs you may be able to buff them out.

Who makes good fillers?

Good is subjective. Let's look at what's out there. For the record I just received a set of spoolfool fillers they aren't mounted yet so I can't say anything about fit. They are replacing some factory GM fronts and a set of Dakno rears.

Danko Reproductions Fiberglass.

Chopped glass construction

The Good: Inexpensive $200/set.
The bad: Some people have had fit problems that required bodywork to make them look right. Danko's aren't as consistent Their rear fillers are 2 piece like the factory fillers so there is a seam.

Spoolfools

Hand laid fiberglass mat. Consistent fit.

The Good. One piece rear
The bad: Expensive.

G-body GM reproduction fronts

No experience. But the closest to GM

 

[1984 t-type]

Car is new to me its a 85 t type is there any easy way of telling what they are made of so I can determine if they can be fixed or have to be replaced ?

 

[aminga]

Look at the back (unpainted side). GM is gray, dankos are black. The GM fillers are flexible (or the were when new)

 

[aminga]

You can also go to a vendor website like gbodyparts.com and look at pictures of the various models of bumper filler

 

[MeanBuicks]

I installed the G-Body Parts rear glass fillers a couple years back. They fit fine with no additional work and were easy to finish.

 

[chris kirk]

Spoolfool!

 

[TRICKSIXPA]

I just got a set of the Goodmark fillers off of eBay. They look almost dead on to the originals. I have a Spoolfool 1pc on my car now. My other car has Dankos on them.

 

[1984 t-type]

I just got a set of the Goodmark fillers off of eBay. They look almost dead on to the originals. I have a Spoolfool 1pc on my car now. My other car has Dankos on them.
View attachment 217167

So out of the 3 which do you recomend, and why ?

 

[TRICKSIXPA]

For the rear fillers Spool fool cause nothing beats the clean look of the 1pc rear filler. For the fronts I would recommend the ABS ones cause they are not making the GM one anymore. ABS fit better onto the bottom of the header panel. Dankos are cheap and DO NOT fit right out of the box. Mine were on the car when I bought it and were worked already and painted.

 

[TommyV8]

The Spoolfools are $675.
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=1950&osCsid=5ed15cb28cdce963ab4dc448771e3e32

These are only $250. Are these the ones that do not fight properly?
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=70&osCsid=5ed15cb28cdce963ab4dc448771e3e32

 

[1984 t-type]

I know that for a perfect match any filler will have to be painted but can the spoolfools be used out the box

 

[TRICKSIXPA]

Yes they can but watch the video first on YouTube very helpful. The gel coat on mine was more of a dark grey has been driving me nuts. I'm finally getting it painted I can not wait for it to match!

 

[aminga]

I know that for a perfect match any filler will have to be painted but can the spoolfools be used out the box

If you have a black car

 

[SPOOLFOOL2]

The hazing up on original fillers is what happens shortly before they crumble. It appears to me as though they're off gassing. I'm not sure if it's the flex agent, or the rubber itself . As said, they are not long for this world. I'd guess, less than a year. Who's ever fillers you buy, don't buy used originals. Once you take them off your car and they loose that memory, they'll crumble within weeks. There have been quite a few threads posted in the last year on bumper fillers for those who want to search.

Here's the video that was mentioned above.

Happy Spooling.
Mike B.

 

[aminga]

The Spoolfools are $675.
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=1950&osCsid=5ed15cb28cdce963ab4dc448771e3e32

These are only $250. Are these the ones that do not fight properly?
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=70&osCsid=5ed15cb28cdce963ab4dc448771e3e32

It's not that they don't fit properly They require more bodywork to make the fit right. And that is hit and miss.