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56D500boy

Posted 2021-04-24 2:19 AM (#611374)
Subject: Question about 56 Dodge Rear Bumper Valence/Stone Deflector And Trim

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Location: Lower Mainland BC

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While I've got my car out of service dealing with my heater core that refuses to leak even at 29 psi for 4 hours, I decided to remove the rear bumper and clean it and the valence between the trunk and the bumper up and do some painting.

As I got it into it, with the bumper off, I see that there is a belting type material that was factory stapled to the metal valence (which was apparently called the (stone) "deflector"). I don't like the fact that that belting tends to trap stuff (leaves, dirt and water) on top of the valence/deflector and between the deflector and the belting. Looks like a great way to make rust happen. From what I can see, I don't have too much rust (but some).

I can't see a good reason to keep that belting on the valence/deflector any more. Maybe back in the day when there were gravel roads it was a good way to stop rocks from hitting the backside of the bumper and then ricocheting up and hitting the area below the lip of the trunk. But that was then. Now, I honestly don't know where I might find a gravel road to drive on.

I am looking for a good reason to keep the belting in place. I think that I would rather remove it and clean up the bit of rust (around some of the staple holes) on the valence/deflector. I won't throw the belting away but I won't put it back on either. No??

What I am dealing with:

(56DodgeRearStoneDeflectorPNs.jpg)

(56DodgeBumperValenceAndBufferStrip_1.jpg)

(56DodgeBumperValenceAndBufferStrip_2.jpg)

(56DodgeBumperValenceAndBufferStrip_3.jpg)

(56DodgeBumperValenceAndBufferStrip_4.jpg)

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56DodgeRearStoneDeflectorPNs.jpg (149KB - 120 downloads)
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56DodgeBumperValenceAndBufferStrip_1.jpg (147KB - 128 downloads)
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56DodgeBumperValenceAndBufferStrip_2.jpg (104KB - 131 downloads)
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56DodgeBumperValenceAndBufferStrip_3.jpg (124KB - 125 downloads)
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56DodgeBumperValenceAndBufferStrip_4.jpg (155KB - 126 downloads)

22mafeja

Posted 2021-04-24 3:11 AM (#611378 - in reply to #611374)
Subject: RE: Question about 56 Dodge Rear Bumper Valence/Stone Deflector And Trim

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Location: Finland

I would absolutely put it back or replace it with new rubber and make staples out of stainless mig wire. They thought 1956 that the car needed that anfd I think it is so today too.

56D500boy

Posted 2021-04-24 12:32 PM (#611390 - in reply to #611378)
Subject: RE: Question about 56 Dodge Rear Bumper Valence/Stone Deflector And Trim

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Location: Lower Mainland BC

22mafeja - 2021-04-24 12:11 AM
I would absolutely put it back or replace it with new rubber and make staples out of stainless mig wire. They thought 1956 that the car needed that and I think it is so today too.

Normally I would agree Ralf but back in 1956 there were more gravel roads than there are now, at least in North America (maybe not so in Finland). I don't think that the belting is required now.

That said, I appreciate the stainless mig wire idea (I can probably get some from my neighbour who is fabricator/welder by profession).

I will start by opening up the can of worms and removing the belting and fixing any rusting and then decide about re-installation.

Steve1956

Posted 2021-04-24 5:32 PM (#611408 - in reply to #611390)
Subject: RE: Question about 56 Dodge Rear Bumper Valence/Stone Deflector And Trim

Regular

Posts: 81

Wow! I didn't even know this should be there. I wonder if they fitted it to Export models? Mine is a 56 Dodge Custom Royal RHD built in Detroit.

Ill be in the garage today to check as the car is currently sans bumper bars. Next repair job is to fix rust in rockers and wheel arches.

Steve

Edited by Steve1956 2021-04-24 5:33 PM

56D500boy

Posted 2021-04-27 2:51 AM (#611467 - in reply to #611390)
Subject: RE: Question about 56 Dodge Rear Bumper Valence/Stone Deflector And Trim

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Location: Lower Mainland BC

56D500boy - 2021-04-24 9:32 AM
I will start by opening up the can of worms and removing the belting and fixing any rusting and then decide about re-installation.

Got the "can opener" out and removed the middle-left bumper strip. Removing the staples is not easy (actually an old fashioned kitchen can opener with the pointy end might actually work for that job).

Pleasantly surprised to see minimal amount of rusting (some minor bubbling in the area of each staple). Should be easy to fix. Otherwise the apron/valence/rock guard is in excellent shape considering. Well except for the two holes where some body put some self-tappers in to replace some of the staples. Those I will fill.

Photos from today:

(56DodgeBumperValenceWithBufferStripRemoved_Left_1.jpg)

(56DodgeBumperValenceWithBufferStripRemoved_Left_2.jpg)

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56DodgeBumperValenceWithBufferStripRemoved_Left_1.jpg (128KB - 131 downloads)
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56DodgeBumperValenceWithBufferStripRemoved_Left_2.jpg (132KB - 127 downloads)

56D500boy

Posted 2021-05-04 12:50 PM (#611706 - in reply to #611467)
Subject: RE: Question about 56 Dodge Rear Bumper Valence/Stone Deflector And Trim

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Posts: 9903
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Location: Lower Mainland BC

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With the rear bumper off, I spent the last three or four days cleaning up the bits of surface rust, priming and painting and re-painting the rear valence, trying to make things perfect (or perfect-ish

). Then Jon posts about my main Members Rides thread and I see the photo of the car with the bumper on and I realize that I can probably just finish up with the painting even if there are small flaws. Nothing that I am doing that will ever be seen again and besides, things are much better than when I discovered the valence.

All that said, I will take photos of the valence and the fender sides (they live behind the bumper) before I re-install the bumper.

With the bumper on.

Edited by 56D500boy 2021-05-04 6:29 PM

56D500boy

Posted 2021-05-12 2:32 PM (#611910 - in reply to #611706)
Subject: RE: Question about 56 Dodge Rear Bumper Valence/Stone Deflector And Trim

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Posts: 9903
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Location: Lower Mainland BC

56D500boy - 2021-05-04 9:50 AM Nothing that I am doing that will ever be seen again and besides, things are much better than when I discovered the valence.
All that said, I will take photos of the valence and the fender sides (they live behind the bumper) before I re-install the bumper.

Finally decided that enough was enough (good enough) and quit playing with (and painting and repainting) the valence. Getting the two-tone transition at the point under the bottom of the taillights was "fun". Ended up using a artist's brush to correct issues caused by leaky masking tape (I should have used "Frog" tape, not just 3M Blue).