Bumper letter inserts - metal or vinyl? - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

sutyak · 03-23-2017, 07:59 AM

A previous owner of my Mach 1 looks to have had MUSTANG bumper inserts, but dug them out and left scratches. I'd like to just put new inserts in and cover the scratches.
The vinyl inserts are much cheaper, so I'd like to hear if those would cover minor gouges, or if I'm better off spending 2-3x as much for the metal?
http://www.americanmuscle.com/9904-black-letters.html

ab_mach1 · 03-23-2017, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sutyak

A previous owner of my Mach 1 looks to have had MUSTANG bumper inserts, but dug them out and left scratches. I'd like to just put new inserts in and cover the scratches.

The vinyl inserts are much cheaper, so I'd like to hear if those would cover minor gouges, or if I'm better off spending 2-3x as much for the metal?

http://www.americanmuscle.com/9904-black-letters.html

I have some really old vinyl letters on mine that look bad up close. I'm planning on the metal ones like your AM link. I've seen a set on a mustang locally and I think they look good. I would be concerned about the longevity of them sticking to the bumper if I daily'd mine, but she's a garage queen, so I think they'll be fine.

I do not think thin vinyl would cover gouges looking up really close, but I wouldn't think you could see them a few feet away (like standing there by the bumper).

311-420 · 03-23-2017, 12:28 PM

I'd get the vinyl ones. Metal inserts on a plastic bumper cover seems weird to me.

slomach03 · 03-23-2017, 01:27 PM

I have vinyl on mine. I think it depends on how deep and wide the gouges are, you could run into a longevity issue either way.

Hammer · 03-23-2017, 07:03 PM

I have vinyl since the car was new and never any fade or peel. But the car doesn't get out much in the weather. Easy to put on as well

WalkrTexasRngr · 03-23-2017, 07:42 PM

I like the vinyl. They look more like they're painted on there. Less of an edge like the metal ones have. Ones of the first things I did. Got them from the place everyone on here gets replacement hood stripes. Graphics express?

01yellerCobra · 03-23-2017, 11:43 PM

I've always preferred metal. But I like the polished look.

bris09 · 04-01-2017, 10:04 AM

These have been on the car since 2004. The pic is from last fall. The car has just over 55k miles and has been washed, waxed, and detailed more times than I care to remember. A top of a few of the letters are starting to get a little loose but not enough to be noticeable to most. I tend to see every single flaw. I have finally decided I am going back to the stock tail lights.

Italstang · 04-02-2017, 06:46 PM

I have S.S. but would rather have vinyl..

sutyak · 04-02-2017, 07:33 PM

Thanks everyone

03-23-2017, 07:59 AM	#1
sutyak it's soo-tack Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 2,082	Bumper letter inserts - metal or vinyl? A previous owner of my Mach 1 looks to have had MUSTANG bumper inserts, but dug them out and left scratches. I'd like to just put new inserts in and cover the scratches. The vinyl inserts are much cheaper, so I'd like to hear if those would cover minor gouges, or if I'm better off spending 2-3x as much for the metal? http://www.americanmuscle.com/9904-black-letters.html __________________ mark 2004 DSG Mach 1. Built motor. Turbo. 667whp 2006 Sonic Blue Focus. Built motor. Turbo. 12.4 @ 115mph (sold) 2003 DSG Mach 1. 12.65 @ 106 (sold)

03-23-2017, 12:28 PM	#3
311-420 Can't be bridled Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,006	Re: Bumper letter inserts - metal or vinyl? I'd get the vinyl ones. Metal inserts on a plastic bumper cover seems weird to me. __________________ 2004 Mach 1 #6956 5spd w/IUP Eaton swap, longtubes, built 3.73 SRA 452hp/409tq dynojet🏁

03-23-2017, 01:27 PM	#4
slomach03 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Central California Posts: 219	Re: Bumper letter inserts - metal or vinyl? I have vinyl on mine. I think it depends on how deep and wide the gouges are, you could run into a longevity issue either way. __________________ 2003 TORCH RED Mach 1 Auto SLP Loudmouth 1 Mac O/R ProChamber ICT Billet 1/2in Spacer JLT Ram Air Intake FRPP 4.10 Gears FRPP Aluminum DriveShaft SCT REV X Tuner Black 17X9 1995 Cobra Rs

03-23-2017, 07:03 PM	#5
Hammer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Goshen, Ohio Posts: 2,597	Re: Bumper letter inserts - metal or vinyl? I have vinyl since the car was new and never any fade or peel. But the car doesn't get out much in the weather. Easy to put on as well Attached Thumbnails

03-23-2017, 11:43 PM	#7
01yellerCobra Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,104	I've always preferred metal. But I like the polished look. __________________ New Ride: 2004 Mystichrome Cobra-Accufab SBTB and plenum, Steeda 2.8" upper, Bassani X, Borla Stingers, Mcleod RXT, MGW shifter, Level 5 halfshafts, chrome FR500's, Stiffler's FIT system and DS safety loop, GT pumps, BA3000, tuned by owner

03-23-2017, 07:42 PM	#6
WalkrTexasRngr 2003 AB Mach 1 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SW Pennsylvania Posts: 872	I like the vinyl. They look more like they're painted on there. Less of an edge like the metal ones have. Ones of the first things I did. Got them from the place everyone on here gets replacement hood stripes. Graphics express?

04-01-2017, 10:04 AM	#8
bris09 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Middletown, PA Posts: 3,991	Re: Bumper letter inserts - metal or vinyl? These have been on the car since 2004. The pic is from last fall. The car has just over 55k miles and has been washed, waxed, and detailed more times than I care to remember. A top of a few of the letters are starting to get a little loose but not enough to be noticeable to most. I tend to see every single flaw. I have finally decided I am going back to the stock tail lights. __________________ Brian 04 Azure Mach 1 Mods: Enough to not be the slowest, but nowhere near enough to be the fastest. 17 Fusion Sport Now faster than the Mach 96 Laser Red Cobra Vert For those days you just wanna cruise with the top down 89 Shelby CSX Still rocking the VNT and Fiberides.

04-02-2017, 06:46 PM	#9
Italstang Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 136	Re: Bumper letter inserts - metal or vinyl? I have S.S. but would rather have vinyl.. __________________ 2003 Black Mach 1 Interior Upgrade Package Goodyear 275-40-18 Goodyear 295-45-18 Borla Stingers Eiback Sportline Springs Air Lift air bags inside rear coil springs UPR Auto ball shifter w/OD & boot Mach1 Billet Black Anodized fuel door Raised Shaker Mod K&N Filter CAI Underhood Bling Ram Air lettering Tint

04-02-2017, 07:33 PM	#10
sutyak it's soo-tack Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 2,082	Re: Bumper letter inserts - metal or vinyl? Thanks everyone __________________ mark 2004 DSG Mach 1. Built motor. Turbo. 667whp 2006 Sonic Blue Focus. Built motor. Turbo. 12.4 @ 115mph (sold) 2003 DSG Mach 1. 12.65 @ 106 (sold)

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