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08-07-2015, 10:53 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
1977 31' Excella 500
Bonnyville
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 34
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Repair or Replace?
Should I see if this can be repaired or just replace? What would this "bumper" piece be called?
'78 Excella 500 31'
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08-07-2015, 11:10 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,530
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If it were me I would try to straighten first and if unsatisfied or unable then resort to replacement
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08-07-2015, 11:26 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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I think, but not sure, that is a pretty rare piece and may not be available at all, and if so will be costly. Check with Andy at Inland RV, he knows a lot about that vintage of an Airstream and what parts are to be found.
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08-07-2015, 11:51 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1973 21' Globetrotter
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,322
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I assume you are just talking about the low part that seems to join the body to the bumper trunk. That piece is likely to be made of the same thick, soft aluminum that banana wraps are made of, meaning that you should be able to remove it and straighten it out so that it looks about as good as new. It is going to be very difficult to find that part new, sitting on a stockroom shelf, and it will be pretty rare to find as a used part as well.
That's a pretty nasty dent in the corner segment as well. Are you planning on rpairing or replacing that as well?
good luck!
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08-07-2015, 12:00 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1977 31' Excella 500
Bonnyville
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 34
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I think we will pop and polish the upper large dent.
The lower bumper piece is all we are thinking of replacing.
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08-07-2015, 12:17 PM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
1977 31' Excella 500
Bonnyville
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 34
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Looks like a pretty intense crumple to try and pound out though! 😳
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08-07-2015, 12:18 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Repair or Replace?
Is the bumper extension painted?
If so it will be a lot easier to fix it than to find a replacement... IMO of course.
Edit>> i see it is not painted...
Maybe the best repair is to fix and then paint both sides.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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08-07-2015, 12:27 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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With patience, most of that dent can be removed, and then a bit of body filler to clean it up, paint and install.
Paint and filler will cover a multitude of small dents... 
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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08-07-2015, 12:56 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1973 21' Globetrotter
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,322
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zenstream1
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Depends on what type of aluminum it is made of. My front banana wraps did not look salvageable, but I got them reshaped with a rubber mallet, using a bag of sand as an anvil, and then smoothed them out with an English wheel. You would never guess to look at them now that they were headed for the scrap bin (before I realized how hard to find a replcement part was).
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08-07-2015, 01:29 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1977 31' Excella 500
Bonnyville
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 34
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Thx guys^
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