I'm getting ready to send my 85 t/a to paint so I'm currently getting all the body work in order. My front bumper is warped. Is there a way to fix it or am I better of replacing it? If replace is the way to go, is there a fiber glass option for this car or at least one that won't warp as bad?

 

is your bumper aftermarket? most aftermarket bumpers for our cars are weak and warp. i put one on and it warped in less than 2 months, i bought an original GTA bumper off someone and it never warped (my car isnt a GTA but w/e). If you are going to buy a new bumper cover, i'd suggest going original parts. I dont know of a fiberglass option for a bumper alone. years ago i remember seeing a fiberglass front clip you could buy

 

I'm not sure if the bumper is aftermarket or not. Is there an way to tell without taking it off? Pics attached (please excuse how nasty my car is)

 

Once they warp replace em. I had some aftermarket ground effects and some were warping. I replaced them with OEM ground effects I found on this website and they had a much better fit and no warping.

 

To an extent, you can heat plastic bumpers with a heat gun, and work out warps and bends. Go slow, push the plastic straight, hold it there as it cools. It probably won't work if the damage is very bad, but for small stuff it's worth trying. Our bumper covers are urethane, they tend to hold up better than a lot of earlier plastic bumpers but they can get a bit wavy. A used replacement is always an option but you might not see wavy areas until the bumper cover is bolted onto the car. Not to mention stripping a bumper cover with a dozen coats of paint is a real bear.

 

Warped bumper is part of the reason why I got a GTA style Knight Rider fiberglass bumper. I realize not everyone wants to make that kind of investment and not everyone would prefer to have a KR bumper.

I tried a heat gun in the past and didn't do much other than bubble up the paint. It's worth a try though.

I'd say replace the bumper if it's too warped for you. Try to find a good used one local by salvage yards, craigslist, or ask around on facebook marketplace if anyone has parts cars. Who knows, maybe there is one on Ebay or Mercari that has low shipping.

 

Theres a guy on this website goes by the handle "dpmalibu". I highly recommend him ive bought a ton of stuff off this guy including body parts and it was always good with fair pricing as well.