Your bumper does more than add style – it protects the body of your vehicle in case of an accident. Even though made out of plastic, its safety offers you and your passengers peace of mind in case of collision.
Small dents may be repaired using paintless dent repair (PDR), a process in which dents can be slowly worked out without damaging existing paintwork. Cracks on the other hand, unfortunately cannot often be fixed and may compromise structural integrity of a bumper.
Prep
Your bumper is an important component of your car that helps absorb impact during an accident and protect vital components like headlights and air intake systems from being damaged by direct impact. As it plays such an integral role, any bumper damage must be resolved as quickly as possible to ensure its effectiveness; professional auto body and collision repair shops can help determine if repair can be attempted or whether replacement should be considered as soon as possible.
Successful bumper repair requires using the appropriate tools in an airy and well-ventilated space, including cleaning with mild solvent or automotive cleaner prior to beginning any of your repairs. Once this step has been completed, start sanding using either a hand block sander or dual action sander and use coarse grit 80 as your starting point, although if necessary higher grades might also work.
As soon as the sanding process is completed, an automotive primer must be applied. High-quality products like Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter or Transtar 2 in 1 aerosol primer will ensure paint adheres to flexible bumper filler material more securely. Apply several coats of primer over flexible filler surfaces so your final layer of paint will cover evenly.
Sanding and priming may take longer, but they are essential steps towards successful bumper repair. After all, your bumper covers all four corners of your vehicle’s frame and must withstand another impact without becoming unsafe to repair. Major damages like large dents or cracks as well as missing hooks and fasteners may render the bumper too dangerous to be repaired safely; such an event should necessitate replacement rather than repair.
Once your paint and primer have set, it will be time to apply flexible filler to your bumper. In order to do this, a small amount of resin and hardener should be combined together; follow any applicable product’s instructions to ensure an appropriate mix.
Filler
Have we all been there? Hastily shifting into reverse or failing to check blind spots has left many of us shocked by a crunch as our car met barricade. While dents on metal bumpers could often be repaired with cheap body filler and spray paint from an auto parts store, repairing plastic is much more complicated. And because plastic bumpers tend to be semi-flexible, using the wrong product may cause its filler to crack under strain.
To effectively repair flexible plastic bumper covers, select a product designed specifically for this task. For instance, 3M’s EZ Sand Multi-Purpose Repair Material has been specifically developed to flex with its substrate without cracking like other fillers can.
This product is easy to use, with a great finish when sanded, UV resistance, stain-resistance, stain prevention, stain protection, stain resistant capabilities and stain protection – everything needed for effective flexible bumper repairs! For optimal results use with flexible bumper repair choose UPOL Easy One as it sets quickly, sands easily and is stain proof and stain-proof as well.
Both products come in an assortment of sizes, from kits to 5-gallon buckets – making them suitable for any shop that performs extensive plastic repair work. Be it bumpers, dashboards or any other flexible car and truck parts; these tools will make the task simpler and faster.
Final Step in Repair Process Using degreaser will ensure a strong, long-term repair solution. Plastic filler and adhesive must bond properly and create strong repairs; otherwise they won’t hold together as expected.
Once your area has been cleaned and allowed to dry, you can begin the repair of your flexible bumper cover. First, use a dual action sander with an 80 grade abrasive disc or taper to create a smooth surface before applying thin layers of flexible filler over it and waiting until it hardens before sanding again.
Welding
Modern bumpers serve more functional purposes than aesthetic ones, helping reduce physical damage to both the front and rear of your vehicle, absorb impact energy, and keep drivers and passengers safe. Therefore, it is vital that damaged bumpers be repaired or replaced as soon as possible in order to preserve safety for everyone involved.
Common forms of bumper repair involve fixing dents, holes and cracks using special tools; most body shops provide this service at minimal cost. In certain instances it may be necessary to completely replace an entire bumper if extensive or widespread damage exists – for this purpose a body shop would recommend doing an entire replacement in such instances.
Minor bumper dents are generally easy to repair, particularly if they only affect one spot of your bumper or car body. Many body shops employ paintless dent repair techniques that involve gradually working the dent out without damaging surrounding paintwork.
Bumper scratch repair can be more complex, since deep scratches often expose metal or plastic beneath the paint surface. Body shop professionals typically employ various techniques for eliminating scratches such as buffing and sanding; if these combined with cracks or holes require replacement of an entire bumper it’s usually more cost-effective and safer to do so than repair.
Large bumper dents, holes or cracks typically cannot be repaired, as a body specialist must evaluate whether it compromises the structural integrity of your bumper, which could put both you and other road users at risk. A cracked or ripped bumper won’t offer as much protection in future collisions either.
Repairing or replacing your bumper may seem expensive, but it could end up saving you hundreds or even thousands over time. Finding a professional body shop nearby to ensure proper repairs that fit within your budget and safely are completed can make all the difference in saving you money in the future. A simple online search or word of mouth recommendation should help you locate an auto body shop with capabilities ranging from minor repairs to complete vehicle restorations.
Painting
Modern bumpers are intricate structures comprised of structural support, plastic filler, and shock-absorbing foam. If they sustain minor damage, fixing it might only require filling, sanding and repainting the area; depending on its severity however, repair may require either rechroming or replacement altogether.
As with painting metal parts, selecting the appropriate plastic paint is also key. Body filler does not adhere as securely to plastics as it would to metal, and most repair materials require an adhesion promoter for optimal results – check with product makers for more. When applying your first coat of filler, be sure to clean and degrease the area as soon as you begin. For best results if using a textured surface (e.g. PL/7870 by SINNEK), using speciality paint may reduce time as additional coats will reduce required.
As with metal repairs, carefully sand the area to be repaired using either a hand block sander or DA sander equipped with 150 grade abrasive disc to avoid excessive heat build-up. Once you start chewing away at original plastic bumper, new bumper will need to be purchased.
Once the plastic has been sanded to remove bare areas, clean and treat them with flexible plastic adhesion promoter such as SINNEK PP/7832 to prepare it for puttying application. Apply a thin layer of putty using hand blocks or sanding sponge to ensure an even application; once dry sand the surface once more before painting.
Once sanding and preparation are complete, the bumper can be painted using both color and clear coat paints. As with any auto body repair work or chrome repairs, professional body shops provide smooth and quality finishes – as well as help determine if you require new bumpers or salvageable ones are still viable options for you car.