Modifying a Stock Bumper

Pulled what I assume is the stock bumper off of my '74. Looks like all the other bumpers others are calling "stock." It's presently chrome and, well, the chrome is starting to peel and I'm not a "chrome" kind of guy.

I am inclined to:

1. Straighten and/or shorten the bumper (bent on both ends)
2. Remove the chrome
3. Treat it for rust and paint the puppy black to match the draw hitch on the rear

My questions:

• Will straightening the bumper compromise its strength too much? It's about 1-1.5" out of center on either end.
• How do you strip chrome? Heat gun?

Thanks in advance!

 

Honestly the replacement stock bumpers aren't that expensive and are probably what I would go with instead of trying to de-chrome and straighten yours. Removing chrome is not easy, the heat gun won't do anything other than make it hot. To fully remove it requires a chemical process such as an acid bath. The best home-friendly option is to scuff it and paint over it with an etching primer, but if your chrome is peeling that's not going to last, either. You can probably even find a used bumper pretty cheaply if you keep your eyes on the classifieds.

 

Jim - That looks great! Pretty close to what was floating around on the doodle pad here.

Sounds like the chrome is going to be a deal-killer. I'm not much into chemical baths of any kind... not enough garage space and sounds like the costs would mount up quickly. Glad I asked before going at it with the heat gun. I appreciate the advice on it and will start browsing for used bumpers. And, off to the salvage yard with this one (I suppose).

 

U could probably fab one up out of 2.5 to 3 inch X 1/8 to 3/16 C-channel pretty cheaply & easily.