Restoring A Corolla Ke 20

[AluthEka]

Hello guys and this is my 1st thread after many years of being a good fan in Autolanka forums..

bought a corolla ke 20 a year back and all body work and engine work has been done. However now Im facing the issue of restoring the bumper.

So I searched Autolanka and found out that there is a guy in Wattala who do chrome platting.

But he asked for a Rs. 20,000 for each rear and front. also he said that there are cataloy in the buffer therefore I need to remove those and straighten all dents and weld steel sheets if necessary from some place else. which will eventually cost me more than 50 k to restore both bumpers.

I haven't got that much of money therefore I went searching a new bumper. All i saw were bumpers with sheets welded on to it here and there. Which means still I have to do the chrome plating.

So guys I need a suggestion for this. No way Im fixing that ugly bumper... any help fellas ?

[terrabytetango]

your car isn't 7 Sri 1111 by any chance is it? a very brave decision you made buying a KE20. trim parts are notoriously difficult to find, a friend owned the car i mentioned in the previous sentence and he went through major pains simply purchasing a rear tail light. you could consider going bumperless like some people in Japan have.

[Davy]

Welcome to the forum!

If it's Jayadan at Wattala, that place is supposed to be top notch from what I have heard. Back in 2003 or so, a place in between Seeduwa and Kotugoda quoted 8000 per bumper. Ended up buffing them myself because I only had a few scratches and a slight dent in one that I managed to straighten out.

I have seen another place between Maradana and Maligawatte on that road where all the motorbike parts are (Jayantha Weerasekara Mawatha?). Not sure if they are still open. I doubt prices will be any different from the Wattala place though.

If you still find it to be unaffordable, then you can try getting the bumpers painted in silver and polished. I know that it's not like having a pair of shiny chrome bumpers, but it's something. One of my uncles restored his KE20 on a budget and did the same and it looked pretty okay. Or you can go bumper-less as terra said.

Share some pictures of your car mate. I'm sure others would like to see your restoration too.

[Crosswind]

Try these places:

Danet Electroplaters - Jayantha Weerasekara Mawatha, Col - 10 (place davy mentioned)

Duro Electroplaters - Darley Road Colombo 10

[wolseley]

When I was restoring my Wolseley 8, I got the existing bumpers covered by thin stainless steel sheets.

However those are pretty straight ones rather than of KE20.

But anyway a skilled fabricator can do this for you I am sure.

[Hoonigan]

I rmember MasterDon suggesting Nickel plating as an alternative, which might interest you. Then there's the easier routes like painting them or going bumperless but arguably won't have the same punch as a set of shiney bumpers

[isam]

Not the same as having bumpers... but still... looking good

[sathyajithj99]

Not the same as having bumpers... but still... looking good

Wow! looks like something from "Death Race"

[isam]

Wow! looks like something from "Death Race"

Apparently the owner is contemplating on 'To have the front grille or not'

And to include a turbocharger and an inter-cooler... and...

Edited November 17, 2015 by isam

[AluthEka]

Wow thanks for the replies

your car isn't 7 Sri 1111 by any chance is it? a very brave decision you made buying a KE20. trim parts are notoriously difficult to find, a friend owned the car i mentioned in the previous sentence and he went through major pains simply purchasing a rear tail light. you could consider going bumperless like some people in Japan have.

Hikz… no mate.. but yes.. I too have the tail light issue… tail lights were hacked by previous guy but I have post pond working with them until I sort out this bumper issue...

[AluthEka]

Welcome to the forum!

If it's Jayadan at Wattala, that place is supposed to be top notch from what I have heard. Back in 2003 or so, a place in between Seeduwa and Kotugoda quoted 8000 per bumper. Ended up buffing them myself because I only had a few scratches and a slight dent in one that I managed to straighten out.

I have seen another place between Maradana and Maligawatte on that road where all the motorbike parts are (Jayantha Weerasekara Mawatha?). Not sure if they are still open. I doubt prices will be any different from the Wattala place though.

If you still find it to be unaffordable, then you can try getting the bumpers painted in silver and polished. I know that it's not like having a pair of shiny chrome bumpers, but it's something. One of my uncles restored his KE20 on a budget and did the same and it looked pretty okay. Or you can go bumper-less as terra said.

Share some pictures of your car mate. I'm sure others would like to see your restoration too.

Thanx bro for the info… yes I went there.. seems a good guy too.. but I cant afford that much.. Ill try other places too.. going for the silver paining is my last resort.. but Im trying my best to have some shinny bumpers.. and I promise Ill post some pics.. current there aren’t any good pics in my phone… got some photos of my bumper though...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6XWxdnXAdsWSGN6LW1JREd0eDQ/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6XWxdnXAdsWTTg4cTFQS0QtRGM/view?usp=sharing

[AluthEka]

Try these places:

Danet Electroplaters - Jayantha Weerasekara Mawatha, Col - 10 (place davy mentioned)

Duro Electroplaters - Darley Road Colombo 10

Thnx mate.. Ill try these places.. thnx again..

[AluthEka]

When I was restoring my Wolseley 8, I got the existing bumpers covered by thin stainless steel sheets.

However those are pretty straight ones rather than of KE20.

But anyway a skilled fabricator can do this for you I am sure.

Well that’s an interesting suggestion.. Do u know a good place? Thnx in advance bro..

[AluthEka]

I rmember MasterDon suggesting Nickel plating as an alternative, which might interest you. Then there's the easier routes like painting them or going bumperless but arguably won't have the same punch as a set of shiney bumpers

Ya.. a guy in one of scrapyards in Panchikawatta suggested me that… Ill try to find a place.. thnx machan..

[AluthEka]

Not the same as having bumpers... but still... looking good

Thnx for the suggestion mate.. But I like to have the bumper done… But Ill keep this as an option…

[Twin Turbo]

For the budget conscious car restorer,

If you not going to do a concourse restoration, and win prizes, Might I suggest just painting them bumpers matt black and invest the money saved in a brake system upgrade (booster assisted tandem dual circuit)

You'llbe able to safely stop in an emergency rather than have flashy bumpers! :-)

[carboy2011]

Industrial Development Board (IDB) in Peliyagoda does electroplating and since its a semi Govt outfit im sure the price will be okay

Please ask them about it

http://idb.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165&Itemid=131〈=en

[xlr8r]

Is it a 4 door or a 2 door?