Is there a secret to installing bumper trim?

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brian c

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I'm working on installing euro bumpers on my '74 and am to the point where I am trying to wrestle the rubber impact strips on. I have some of the ss bumpers from kuhlauto who used to sell these on ebay. I've fitted the bumpers which wasn't as bad as I was prepared for. These are actually really nice,beautifully polished pieces. I got OEM impact strips from Penske.

I'm wondering what the secret is to getting the impact strips on. Do you start with tucking the ends and work the rubber over the strips or do you slide the rubber on and then try to push it into the ends. I'm wondering if the asian bumpers have a smaller cutout for the ends because I can't see getting the rubber trim to tuck into these. Is any back trimming of the impact strip usually required to get them into the end slots? Wish I had a OEM bumper to compare to. Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Brian
 
easier than you think
just bend the rubber outwards, i mean, grab one end with one hand, and using the other hand bend the rubber tiwards the contrary radius (contrary mean compared with final poistion in the car) (lets say open the concave side of the rubber)

once this is done you will fell simple to accommodate the rubber in the strip, continue the process while moving forward until the other end

done !
 
deQuincey said:
just bend the rubber outwards, i mean, grab one end with one hand, and using the other hand bend the rubber tiwards the contrary radius (contrary mean compared with final poistion in the car) (lets say open the concave side of the rubber) once this is done you will fell simple to accommodate the rubber in the strip, continue the process while moving forward until the other end
Click to expand...

That technique works when installing the strip over long sections. But Brian's question has to do with tucking the ends of the strip into those triangular cut-outs in the front bumpers.

It's been awhile since I installed my used rubber strips into my original bumper (so it should have fit easily, right?), consequently my memory is a little vague. But as I recall:

- Yes, the rubber strips were cut down at their ends. Looked sort of like a sharpened pencil.

- Yes, it was tough to poke the strips into those holes. The holes seemed too tight.
 
Rubber trim

jmackro said:
That technique works when installing the strip over long sections. But Brian's question has to do with tucking the ends of the strip into those triangular cut-outs in the front bumpers.

It's been awhile since I installed my used rubber strips into my original bumper (so it should have fit easily, right?), consequently my memory is a little vague. But as I recall:

- Yes, the rubber strips were cut down at their ends. Looked sort of like a sharpened pencil.

- Yes, it was tough to poke the strips into those holes. The holes seemed too tight.
Click to expand...

As macro said.
(1) trim ends to a stubby point. Work into the bumper ends. I pushed and pulled with some lube, and it was still tough to get it in all the way.
(2) rest of it is "folded" open and slipped over the attachment strip. Don't try to slide it on, as it won't go far before there's too much friction.
(3) I'd let it sit for a bit and then trim the squared off ends with enough extra to tuck up tight against the front overrides.
(4) The rear was harder because it's one long piece. I did one end and worked around to the other. Then I iterated the trimming to slowly creep up to the right final length

Did Kuhl Auto stiff you on the rear bumper lights?
 
Thanks for all of the input. Sounds like a combination of what I was trying to do. I'll just lube up and keep at it. Bfeng, as for the rear license lights, I wish they were included but I wasn't really expecting them so I didn't feel stiffed. When I got the bumpers, I was actually a little excited that the front overriders had rubber on them since I was thinking I'd have to buy those also. I guess I had low expectations. Not sure what I will do with the holes. I know someone on the board makes blanks but I may try to make some myself. I could buy lights but they aren't cheap and then I'd have 4 lights which seems kinda weird.
 
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