I have a 1978 124 fiat spider.
I want to do a restoration on it and one of the things that need work are the bumpers.
I have rust spots on them. I am wondering if the way to go is replace them with new ones or have these re-chromed.
The rubber parts are fine. So the tubes are the issue.

I am sure this is a common problem and would appreciate your help.
Thanks
Tom

i cleaned mine up with steel wool and clear coated them

Did you use 0000 steel wool? Any compound or oil to remove to rust spots?

yes 0000 wool
or you could use with hydrofloric acid
scrub for 45 seconds then wash off
wear glasses and rubber gloves

You might be surprised with what rags soaked in plain white vinegar and then wrapped with plastic wrap will do in a few hours or overnight.

Here is an example of how well it can work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlcL_vHODkc

Very effective and a lot less costly at less than $4 a gallon compared to the bottled specialty solutions.

Interesting!

If the tubes have significant rust just be aware that the bolts and metal connectors inside the rubber end pieces might be rusted as well. Had a set of bumpers that looked great on a 79 until a friend put his foot on the end piece exposing the rust underneath.

I'm guessing that the mild acidity of vinegar won't affect the chrome on the bumper tubes?

Thanks to the op for posing this question, this is one of the areas that I will taking care of once my interior is done.
Overall my bumper tubes are good save for some rust spots here and there

Frankd1 wrote:I'm guessing that the mild acidity of vinegar won't affect the chrome on the bumper tubes?

Thanks to the op for posing this question, this is one of the areas that I will taking care of once my interior is done.
Overall my bumper tubes are good save for some rust spots here and there

Diluted about 50% with water it has left my chromed hardware all shiny and new looking as long as it was not scaling and pealing. I had a Chromed Swing-line Can Opener base that was found under water in a cup under the sink which was getting dripped into which I thought was a total loss however it came like new with the vinegar. I clear lacquered it and it looked like a museum piece afterwards.

Unfortunately the tubes on my fiat have oval rust spots on them and the chrome is gone. The steel structure is still good.
Cleaning them with vinegar could work and then paint them but I don't know how well they will look.
I think I might try that and see.
I looked into bumpers and Vicks sells re-chromed ones for $480.
New ones are $735. on Mr Fiat.
Expensive no matter what!