"adjusting" fiberglass bumper

[jhelgesen]

I'm trying to fit a fiberglass c2 rear bumper of unknown manufacture on the race car and having a little trouble.

The sides don't quite meet up with the side of the car.

Is there anything I can to change the shape of the glass, could I use a heat gun or such to help pull it up.

[Early_S_Man]

John,

I don't think there is any magic trick available to make what appears to be a rather 'flexible' bumper conform to the rigid metal body parts. What I have done to mate flexible fiberglass and urethane bumper parts to the metal body is use plastic license plate bolts and oversize fender washers every 4" - 5" through double-thickness fiberglass G-10 or FR-4 PC board 'tabs' fabricated and epoxied to the bumper ... where the existing sheet metal doesn't lend itself to a through-bolt directly into the present shape of the fibertglass part. I have even been forced to weld tabs onto the sheet metal, too, when the presence of blind objects prevent access in a suitable area.

[rfuerst911sc]

Is it possible the gap is for a gasket?

[jhelgesen]

The gap is 1/2" on the side, with the front touching and screwed in place. I might be able to pull it part of the way with the screws, but I'd be afraid it might pull out.

[haycait911]

hi John, fiberglass is a thermoset and wants to stay in the shape it came out of the mold in. best (read-easiest) fix is to sand/grind off gelcoat down to raw glass and build up with polyester body filler (bondo) and shape it to where you want it. enough heat to re-shape fiberglass will destroy it's integrity. Don.

[jhelgesen]

Thanks Don, thats what I was thinking, just wanted to be sure. I may have to make a few pie shape relief cuts to allow it to bend correctly, then glass the cuts back together.

[CabMike]

The stock C2 bumper has a metal strip that goes on the inside of the bumper and the bolts to the body go through this to spread the load. If you could get a set of these it might help.