I think I have a 'fix' for my giant hole in my bumper, WDYT?

[Larry Hampton]

WDYT? = What Do You Think? I've got more trimming to do, planning on lining it up with the edges of the hatch. I'll glue it down and fillet the edges to blend it in as sort of a step onto the blue bumper, not trying to make it seemless. The bottom will get attached using the existing screws, may trim the old ones off the blue bumper, the top will get blended into the little step under the hatch, it's edge will also be held down with holes drilled thru both pieces and the "Christmas Tree" pin clips (like hold your plastic inner fenders to the metal outer). The whole thing will then be sprayed 'bumper black'.

Only question is, what do I use for the glue? I know I need to strip the blue paint off to bare plastic, what do I use for that? Mechanical? Chemical? I used some chemical to strip a Dodge Shadow bumper and I don't think it got totally neutralized as when it came back from MAACO, it looked horrible.

[lanemeyer14]

Should have just replaced the blue bumper with the grey one

[Larry Hampton]

So you think the melted off right side would have looked better?

[perucho]

Dude, that's a stock bumper. And just the plastic cover! Get one that's in one piece. No junkyards around?

[Larry Hampton]

BTW, this is a stopgap measure until I find a good bumper. If done right, 90% of people looking at it won't know it didn't come that way.

[Larry Hampton]

I know, but there are none to be found around here.

Guys, I know what I OUGHT to do, but my solution HAS to look better than a big hole.

[perucho]

... my solution HAS to look better than a big hole.

I guess. Have to tried a WTB ad? I think it would save you a lot of work. Good luck!

[89newb]

well i wont criticize. given the resources i think your solution is nifty. keep an eye out for a good bumper but for the mean time it looks like it will hold up well for you.

[Larry Hampton]

Thanks Christian, I've been looking locally for two weeks, phone calls, scouting yards, even looking in neighborhoods. When you own a vehicle, you see them everywhere, I've seen none.

[lanemeyer14]

So you think the melted off right side would have looked better?

Oh, well I didn't see anything about it being melted?

[Larry Hampton]

Here's the ends I cut off.

[Larry Hampton]

I guess. Have to tried a WTB ad? I think it would save you a lot of work. Good luck!

Yes I have.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35961&highlight=bumper

[perucho]

~ $100 but that sounds expensive for what it is...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-FESTIVA-88-89-90-92-BUMPER-COVER-REAR-W-O-RED-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3efeb44526QQitemZ270561199398QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Larry Hampton]

Shipping is a killer there, luckily they're in Dallas, I plan on going down there in about a month for something else, I contacted them to see if it could be picked up from their warehouse. I'm betting its just an internet store and they have access to different parts in different places, sorta like RockAuto. Thanks Oscar, I'd seen them on EBay before, but never thought to find a location. We'll see.