Bumpers -- shortening the projection of the rear bumper?

[TomoHawk]

The stuff in #17 won't glue your cut-up bumper ends. Its used to repair scratches & fill gouges in the bumper covers on newer cars.

I'll bet 3M has something that will glue the cracked or cut bumper end parts.

The round plugs are the ones that cover the screws on the side where it attaches to the sail panel.

[FastWoman]

It might be possible to use the molding rubber to stick the halves together. The inside surfaces of the guards would have to be sanded/roughened, of course, and probably some connecting mesh would be a good idea.

Another possibility would be black 5200 adhesive/caulk. It's the toughest, most tenacious stuff I've ever used. It's the duct tape of the boating world. I suppose if the stuff started to fail, you'd get a bit of warning (small areas of separation) before actually losing half of your bumper guard on the highway.

No idea about the rubber plugs. Maybe rubber stoppers, cut to size? They sell black rubber stoppers in various sizes at my local True Value.

Edited December 6, 2010 by FastWoman

[ajmcforester]

3m is a good bet for the glue and maybe a shoe repairer would know of some stuff.

[TomoHawk]

Shoe Goo, maybe? GOOP won't stick them together. I'd start with weatherstrip adhesive and go from there. A body shop might know what to use.

I was going to try cutting a plug from an old bumper end, but it disappeared already.

[texas280]

I'm pretty sure the bumper mounts are gas filled and once you break the seals, their effectiveness as shock absorbers is lost.

[grantf]

I have not shortened mine, but I have repaired the splits in the same location using Bondo brand repair kit, I know it sounds hokey but it worked really good. I sanded the inside surface with 60 grit and slathered the stuff on thick from the inside then used the mesh provided as a reinforcement. I held the surfaces together with my hands until it started to set ( about 5 min). I then sanded the outside smooth down to 600 grit and polished it with "Mothers back to black". They are holding up so well I can pick the bumper up by one of the ends without it tearing and the repair is so hard to see that I have a hard time finding it. I will post pics when I get my camera back.