Thread: Project 'Bob' (formerly Bobette)

I was all for that idea, but when I pitched it to the missus she pointed out that it was lacking in the cost-effective department! Might give things a break for a week or so, have dad down for a visit then and I'm sure he would relish the opportunity to demonstrate the correct procedure for removing paint.

Though knowing my family's approach to such problems it might end up in some kind of fire or industrial injury... Oh well, it's all fun and games once someone's lost an eye

Spurred on by seeing others progress I decided that I could find a spare hour to at least get something done on Bob. Decided a nice easy job would be cleaning up an old bent and dented bumper that had been thrown in free of charge when I got her (I think they just wanted it out of their garden) first I figured to straighten it a bit, not too hard with hammer and a bit of heat right?

Wrong... Fair enough, the hammer is only small so probably not man enough for the job, so how about putting the thing in the vice and seeing if I can bend it back manually, bit of heat and a lot of effort it would surely budge.

Wrong. I now need to buy a new vice.

I do not know what they made this bumper out of, and would hate to see the collision which caused the bend in the first place.

Anyone got any tips for bending adamantium?

Nope. But I am interested to see what tips you do get. I have a bent bumper as well and I want to straighten it.

Originally Posted by Johnno1969

I know that I'm certainly sick of using a grinder with a wire brush wheel - but it is effective.

I second that! I've become an expert in this department

Originally Posted by Johnno1969

Now I think of it, there is one called a khamsin.....

nah, you're thinking of an old Maserati

As for bending the bumper ... erm, I'm not sure. I was always under the assumption that they are indestructible I was lucky with mine as it's straight -albeit with a little (but deepish) scratch on one side - but if I had to straighten it out I'd be more inclined to source another one and save the time and effort and disappointment of not being able to sort it

Ok, attached should be a picture of the bumper in the state I got it, but as. I am not so great with the iPad...

Anyways, I have had it suggested by a friend that I could try jamming the bent end between the steel gate posts and then gently persuade it with a rope to my car. At this point I am assuming that this will snap the gate post or tear the car in two, but might as well try it.


Fingers crossed

Add rope to the list of casualties claimed by the bumper. I have decided that the bend doesn't look too severe from the right angle and the dents just add character this wat I do not actually have to feel as though it's a defeat!

Quick trip to bunnings and I now have a wire brush wheel for my grinder. And boy does it make the thing vibrate like crazy, still does a wonderful job on rust and paint. Also came back with some new shiny bolts and a tin of cold-galv paint, something I have never used before so figured to experiment.

Here is the cleaned and painted article.



I also had enough to renew the grille



And finally the bumper bolted on, I now feel happier for having finished something, though granted I shall probably replace it eventually.

We found ramming the right side wood and smacking it with a sledgehammer the best fix for bent bumpers.
Looks good though and your right it adds character