Hi Folks,

I have an `87 442 that is pretty much original and has 60,000km. The paint needs to be re-done so that is my main project. However I have a little dilemma. The rear bumper cover has expanded and contracted because of the temperature changes up here in Canada. It now has the infamous wavy bumper cover. I have read about bodyshops using a product called Dolphin to repair this problem. In my effort to keep this car original am I better to repair the bumper cover or find a donor bumper?

Thanks a lot!

 

with a repaint it will no longer be original so do whatever it takes to make the bumper right

 

Dolphin? Not sure what that is. Sounds like a preparation used for bonding paint to plastic. IMO if the plastic filler is hatched, you'd be best off getting a donor replacement. I don't think it has anything to do with temp shifts in Ontario. It's more likely a defect in the resins that make up the filler. (improper saturations) causing the wave effect. Shouldn't be that hard to pick up a replacement.

Did you find a shop to do your paint, engine and tranny work yet?

BTW if you need someone to put on a few more km on the car to keep it in good running shape, I'd be happy to fly down and bring it back to AB for a summer runabout. You can fly up in the fall, we'll have a big BBQ party & then you can drive her home for the winter....

 

Donor it is.

Allan, I don't have the car out of storage yet so I haven't been to any shops. I received four suggestions so hopefully one turns out. As much as the bbq sounds tempting I don't like to fly. So let's say I drive out, you can drive my 442 and I will drive yours. In the fall we can hook up and exchange!!

 

What a cool idea! What happens if we don't want to give the cars back though??

 

This would be an issue. I would say we arm wrestle but my spaghetti arms would surely let me down!!

 

Too funny, my friend. ummmm, we COULD add spaghetti to the BBQ if you want.....

It's a long drive. One of these days I think I will either go for it, or try to meet all of you guys at a 1/2 way point. Wait, I know. Let's have an Oldsmobile convention in.....Brandon??? or Winterpeg????