My First Car

[tweakedlogic]

just my opinion.....
but please, do not paint the bumpers, it looks tacky and it will promptly flake off and look horrible.

IMO chrome bumpers are one of the cool factors to older vehicles, new stuff all has crap plastic bumpers.

I painted mine. As long as the prep is done correctly it will not flake. Mine were done over a year ago. I have bikes that had chrome that i painted have lasted way longer than that. One bike I painted the chrome steel wheels over 5 years ago and they still look great.

Proper prep is key to any and all paint jobs.


Edit: oh yeah, you can get emery paper at Autozone and other suppliers. i would start with like 400, then 600 then maybe 800. You will need several of the red Scotch Bright pads. Try to stay sanding/scuffing in the same direction. You want the whole surface to be evenly scuffed. Dull chrome everywhere. If there is any shine left anywhere, it will flake. I really like the self etching primer at Napa, but Autozone's is fairly good. Don't rush any part of the prep. Take your time, light even coats of primer. There are many videos and web pages that can help you before you start. If you haven't done surface prep or painting before, I strongly recommend you do lots of research and practice first. Old fenders, new sheet metal etc.

All that said, flat black hides imperfections. But runs and dry spots will show up if you look.

 

[FordExp92]

Thank you so much for the tips! Will definitely reread that when I go out to get everything and start.

 

[rhauf]

FWIW, those new "crap plastic bumpers" are tougher than our explorers chrome metal bumpers.

I can stick a knife through a plastic bumper, can't do that with a steel bumper.
ever replaced a plastic one because it was disintegrating from sun damage? i have. ive never had a metal bumper where i could break off chunks of it with my hand.

i do realize, that the stock steel bumpers, particularly the front ones, are not strong at all. in fact, they are not reinforced any and they do bend easily.. yes the plastic ones do a relatively good job at absorbing low speed even impact (of course they will look all spiderwebed and the paint is ruined after)

i have also observed rear end collisions where its plastic bumper vs steel bumper. steel bumper always wins (car vs truck, for instance)

i guess im just not a fan of government mandated crap.

 

[tweakedlogic]

Both steel and plastic have benefits and drawbacks.

Plastic is lighter, more aerodynamic, and can survive impacts under 15 MPH. They can be formed to complex curves and shapes to fit the car. But they can tear, stretch, sag and deform. The newer plastics don't deteriorate as easily, but it can still happen. Most plastic bumpers are cheap to repair with a $50 plastic welder and skill.

Steel bumpers are stronger, can survive higher speed impacts, though will bend as they are designed to do. Steel bumpers can rust and crumble away. If hit on the corner can cut tires, even at low speed. You can use a steel bumper to push another car without damage (to the bumper). They are, however, heavy and not aerodynamic which kills fuel economy. They also do not repair easily.

 

[FIND]

I can stick a knife through a plastic bumper, can't do that with a steel bumper.
ever replaced a plastic one because it was disintegrating from sun damage? i have. ive never had a metal bumper where i could break off chunks of it with my hand.

i do realize, that the stock steel bumpers, particularly the front ones, are not strong at all. in fact, they are not reinforced any and they do bend easily.. yes the plastic ones do a relatively good job at absorbing low speed even impact (of course they will look all spiderwebed and the paint is ruined after)

i have also observed rear end collisions where its plastic bumper vs steel bumper. steel bumper always wins (car vs truck, for instance)

i guess im just not a fan of government mandated crap.

Government doesn't mandate plastic.....

And yeah, you can stab a knife through a plastic bumper, but I can put a permanent bend in the front or rear bumper of an explorer using just one hand, especially the front, which is the side you should be most concerned with being tough. These aren't the steel bumpers of the 50's, these are a thin piece of sheet metal with a bend and some chrome that is made to look tough.

They each have their benefits. With a plastic bumper, you have the cover, but underneath you have a bumper that is tough as hell. The covers are cheap and simple to repair or replace, with steel, replacement is your only option, especially since it has been the practice of car makers to use lighter and thinner metals whenever they think they can get away from it, which makes steel more expensive. Plus, the aerodynamic and styling opportunities gained by using plastic.....

No, I have never replaced a steel bumper that became too brittle because of years of exposure to sun and temperature change, though, newer plastic bumpers are better formulated and will do that less than the stuff from the 80s. I have replaced steel bumpers that are rotted away due to exposure to the elements though.....

Plus, it isn't just how well the plastic holds up to an accident. Sure, steel vs plastic bumper, it usually looks like the steel wins in an accident, but both will need replaced, so there isn't really a winner is there? Car vs truck or SUV accident..... SUV has an advantage in height, so it is delivering its force with the part of the bumper designed to take an impact to the part of the car that is NOT designed to take an impact. Plus, this is an uneven comparison. A truck is designed to be tougher. Compare truck vs truck, plastic vs steel, and the difference goes away entirely.

Paint ruined and spider-webbed..... That shouldn't happen except on the most ancient of urethane paint jobs, usually the same age as the steel bumpers that are already showing their age through their rust.

 

[rhauf]

So what your saying is, we should all build our own kick ass boxed in steel bumpers with winches and stuff in them

 

[tweakedlogic]

So what your saying is, we should all build our own kick ass boxed in steel bumpers with winches and stuff in them

 

[LONO100]

I don't mean any offense but you paid how much for a 92????i wouldn't ever pay over 1500 for one!!98 explorers with v8 go for that price or just a little over.its nice yea but its a 92 ohv first gens are where the name exploders came from

well the kids from california. everything here costs a grip more, but 3 grand does seem like a lot, even for me here in the bay area, but hey, if this thing is in great condition, maybe a rebuilt tranny and/or motor, that can really make an X of this age worth more out here.

that being said, great looking explorer my friend, since youre just a young buck, be practical with your money and dont dump your future into it. concentrate on getting that education and dont slack on learning everything there is to know about cars and trucks so you can start taking care of that thing yourself!

your rig already has a lift and some good wheel/tires so youre good there. if youre planning on wheeling that thing, a great cost efffective mod is a rear locker. get a lunchbox type like a aussie or a powertrax. they make all the difference and are a great mod. put most of your budget in keeping that thing in tip top shape and youre good. have fun with it!

 

[tweakedlogic]

+1

 

[colintrax]

You can form metal in any shape dip dongs. It's called casting. And how is my metal bumper weak? Hit a tree at 30 mph and the only damage was to my rim from clipping the curb at 40. My mom's civic has plastic bumpers, and the plastic still shredded her tire, so that's outta the equation.
Be serious, plastic isn't better

 

[LONO100]

hey fellas, take it easy on all the bumper talk, this kid is just showing off his new ride! i say metal/plastic, its all preference.

 

[FIND]

So what your saying is, we should all build our own kick ass boxed in steel bumpers with winches and stuff in them

YES that is exactly what I am saying..... It's like you read my mind.... Then coat them with thick truck bed liner. Well, not necessarily vehicles that are gonna spend all their time on road, cause they need their bumpers to bend in an accident, but all Explorers should have them, because they look cool and turn Prii (plural for Prius as long as you are talking about the cars and you don't speak latin) into subcompacts as long as you don't mind the whiplash injuries.

You can form metal in any shape dip dongs. It's called casting. And how is my metal bumper weak? Hit a tree at 30 mph and the only damage was to my rim from clipping the curb at 40. My mom's civic has plastic bumpers, and the plastic still shredded her tire, so that's outta the equation.
Be serious, plastic isn't better

Until you know what you are talking about, stay out of the adult's conversations.

Now, enough hijacking this kid's thread on the bumper discussion. I think between tweakedlogic, rhauf and I, we got out any important point that needed to be made on this subject.

 

[FordExp92]

The engine had 174,000 miles on it, has 14,000 on the rebuild.

 

[FIND]

I don't know. I think it is a good deal. He is in an area where bodies last forever compared to her, it essentially has a new engine in it, and it has several upgrades he would have been spending money on anyways. I would say he is money ahead compared to those of us who pick up a first gen for $1000-1500, have to replace or rebuild a motor and then put a lift and tires on.

Plus, remember, it is a first car. Best to have something that isn't gonna have a lot of trouble or problems out of the gate. Everyone wants to mod or fix up their first vehicle, if they spend all their time fixing problems, they will get frustrated with doing the work themselves. People who get to spend their time on their first vehicle modding are the kinds of guys who will keep turning the wrench on their vehicle later when it breaks down, and they are the ones who will take care of it after they have had it for a while.

 

[LONO100]

i agree with find. i had an old isuzu rodeo that i put through everything. it was a 95, had over 230K miles and because i kept that thing in tip top shape, not one rust spot on it, and because i had records of the tranny replacement and the engine rebuild, i got 3 grand for that thing.

 

[Ageman]

The engine had 174,000 miles on it, has 14,000 on the rebuild.

Nice, I bought a 89 Bronco a few years back with a completely new drive train and a new paint job with all the records of work done for $3200. The interior looked as if no one was ever in the bronco. The body had over 300,000 on it due to him driving from CA tO PA every summer. I did not bother to look under the rig until I brought it home and niticed it was a PA vehicle Rust everywhere. I cleaned it up the best I could drove it for a while hated the gas milage so I ended up selling it. Because I took good care of it and kept all the records I was able to get $3500 for it.