Rust cancer in US spec front bumper | FerrariChat

Rust cancer in US spec front bumper

Discussion in '308/328' started by Du_Man, May 25, 2020.

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  1. Du_Man

    Du_Man Formula Junior
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    Apr 23, 2003
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    Derek
    I pulled the front bumper off yesterday to have a closer look at the condition. I have read several posts from the past about rust getting into the metal inside the rubber outer skin - causing it to push out and split the bumper rubber wide open. This is the case for the left side of this bumper.

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    I have not seen any post-write-ups that show a restoration of this rust level. My goal for this car is to restore and repair every piece that I can...I guess you could say I have more time than "cents". I would love to purchase a fiberglass unit to replace the 100-pound bumper, but that may be round 2 restorations/mods.

    I know that 3M, Bondo, and SEM have 2-part adhesives for bumpers. You think I have anything to lose by slicing open the rubber and peel it back- getting to the rusted metal and choke it with some POR-15 and then use 2-part adhesive, filler, and bumper paint to get a decent repair? What kind of rubber is this so that I could google research for proper repair?

    I have not seen a photo of what the metal looks like underneath the rubber. I can't think of another classic car that is in this similar situation. Also, as part of this project, I was going to fab some bumper shocks(or pin) to push in for the Euro look......exposing less of the not so perfect bumper.
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Here's the real issue:

    Ferrari took an untreated ingot of Russian iron casting, and molded the rubber bumper on to it.
    They viewed the surface rust as both "good adhesion" of both paint systems and the rubber, I guess as opposed to the oil finish on the mill rolled steel.

    It is VERY rare, to see this condition, so I will tell you the odds of finding a nice new condition "take off" are good, for the North American bumper.
    Go ….look....find one.

    Throw this into a fire, and be happy!!

    All that repair jazz is for gouges, and IMO it does not replicate the rubber well.
    It just fixes it....and then you have a painted rubber bumper.
     
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  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Pushing in the mounts is a drill and bolt deal...no issue at all.

    Call Ferrparts and TRutlands see what a '76 - '85 bumper costs...
     
  4. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Looking back at the light recess and all that bent stuff I would say this unit broke "hitting something"....it's done its job.
     
  5. Du_Man

    Du_Man Formula Junior
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    Apr 23, 2003
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    Derek
    Understood loud and clear
     
  6. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Feb 24, 2006
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    Derek that looks really bad, this is a good time to convert to the Euro bumper or the US bumper made of fiberglass if you want to retain the original look but weighs a lot less.
     
  7. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    May 4, 2001
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    Mine did this about 10 years ago.

    The problem is water getting in around that turn signal light. Next time you wash it, get a leaf blower after that light and the amount of water that will blow out will scare you. Like half a cup.

    I bought a used one on Ebay.
     
  8. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    If you restore it PLEASE post pics of the process
     
  9. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
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    Ron
    I never wash my car and put it away. I think a short drive helps drive the water out of its hiding spots.
     
  10. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Not so much in this spot.

    Drive it then pull out the leave blower. Unbelievable what gets down in there and stays.
     
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  11. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
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    Your not driving fast enough :)
     
  12. Brian Harper

    Brian Harper F1 Rookie
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    Feb 17, 2006
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    No, I really think you have absolutely nothing to lose. I would probably do it while I waited for my replacement used or fiberglass euro bumper to arrive in the mail.
     
  13. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Aug 7, 2012
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    I don't think this bumper is a "restore" situation... it's more of "replace".
     
  14. Du_Man

    Du_Man Formula Junior
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    Apr 23, 2003
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    Derek
    So I couldn't help picking at a scab. Brian is right, the bumper is at the surface level is toast and I have nothing to lose while I save up for the Euro conversion. Feel like a civil war surgeon on the cutting to expose the metal beneath.

    I'm going to dip the bumper in the water tonight for a little electrolysis treatment FWIW. After research on "rubber" adhesive, I have not found the right glue to test. It seems that the "super glues" is the choice so far. Maybe someone knows the professional body-shop adhesive choice (and resin?) for this put-back Frankenstein situation? You can't say gasoline and matches just yet while I am just playing.

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    And there is the Russian metal ingot that BigTex speaks of.....I'll straighten up that upper blade tonight in the vise.


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  15. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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  16. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    I'd say it bumped.
     
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  17. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    Fascinating to see what is under the rubber. Thanks for cutting it open and sharing with us.
     
  18. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Oh I have done exercises with mine, off the car.

    I had seen one example "split open" here, and could imagine the rest!!
    So peel the whole unit, send it out for hot dip galvanizing.

    Then we will pull a fiberglass mold from a good one, and mash your newly galvanized piece down into the mold with some polyester glass mat and resin.
    We can build the heaviest fibreglass repro, known t man.

    Doesn't FerrParts have one for $80 bucks?
    Seriously..

    The only take off swap project going now is in Scandinavia, so forget that one...
     
  19. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    You really have to recall how much of Ferrari in those days was a Foundry.

    It drove a lot of their design engineering, look at the tensioner bearing supports, alternator and air pump brackets, and so forth.

    Need a widget?
    Carve one out of wood, and we will lost wax sand cast it in the morning...
     
  20. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    That bent deformation is my only clue, that an impact over rode the bumper (most do, with modern cars) and then the resultant crack let the water in.
     
  21. Du_Man

    Du_Man Formula Junior
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    Derek
    I believe that - and the rust over a couple decades split it open in different directions.
     
  22. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
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    What is with the white painted number (90898109) on the back of the bumper? The factory did not do that.
     
  23. Du_Man

    Du_Man Formula Junior
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    Derek
    I am assuming that this bumper is not the original. As I peel back the car "layers", it shows me that it has been used and abused. I see the handy-work of previous owners...probably an initial restoration in the late 90's(?)... If only this 308 could talk.
     
  24. Du_Man

    Du_Man Formula Junior
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    Apr 23, 2003
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    Awesome, John! I'm going to try this adhesive and cracks/body-filler. There has to be something that can glue-weld rubber like this.
     

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