Is that CHROME under my bumper?

[green71]

The textured black paint is beginning to peel off of the bumpers on my '71. I'm kinda shocked at what it's revealing underneath: chrome. Seems like the whole area south of the bumper pad & north of the valence, front and rear, was originally chrome.

Did a PO mickey-mouse the finish of these bumpers at some point by putting textured black paint on them? Or did the "appearance group" bumpers come this way from the factory: originally chrome, then repainted? Seems kinda goofy . . .

Finally, is there a safe way to remove the black paint while preserving the chrome finish underneath?

Thanks for the help,

Mark

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1971 1.7l 914

[unclerichy]

I just did my Fuchs wheels last weekend and removed black paint from them. It was actually much easier than I anticipated. I used Jasco paint remover (although I think any will do) and let it set for a couple of minutes and then wiped off the paint with some of those green synthetic pot scrubbers. Might take a couple of applications. This method should not harm whatever chrome is on your bummpers.

Rich
'73 1.7
'74 2.0

[mejulihn]

I had a '74 with chrome bumpers that had been painted satin black. I do not believe the factory would have wasted time/money chroming bumpers only to then paint some of them black for base cars without the appearance group option. Follow the instructions in the post above and you will be fine.