How To Repair Plastic Bumper Crack

How to Use a Plastic Bumper Repair Kit to Ready Scuffs and Cracks

Car bumpers are so prone to being damaged. A slight wrong move during a manoeuvre or a elementary reversing accident and you can finish upward with scuffs, scratches and fifty-fifty cracks.

The good news is that virtually modern bumpers are plastic covers, with steel structures hidden further dorsum. This means the harm is usually cheaper and easier to fix than information technology would exist on metallic and chrome bumpers.

You may exist able to repair plastic bumper scuffs and scrapes with a DIY kit at home. Simply if your bumper is cracked or separate, the repair process becomes more complicated as yous need to seal the split up. It involves sanding, sealing, sculpting and painting, so it'due south not a job for DIY novices.

Choosing a repair kit

plastic bumper repair kit from Isopon. How to use the kits

If you are thinking of trying to set the harm yourself, in that location are a range of plastic bumper repair kits bachelor. These are a good idea considering they contain all the materials yous demand and will be compatible, rather than trying to purchase products separately.

You should also choose a dedicated bumper repair kit which uses a filler that'southward meant to exist flexible and motility with the plastic, preventing future cracks in the bumper.

And remember that the kits don't contain pigment and finishes – this needs to be bought separately.

Most bumper repair kits are suitable for most types of plastic bumpers. Simply if you want to double-check, the bumper should accept a stamp on the inside telling you what type of plastic information technology's made of – and then you lot'll need to speak to your local motorcar parts store to find out which product is best for you.

How to use a bumper repair kit

If your plastic bumper has scuffs and scratch damage, the repair can be carried out just on the front side of the bumper. Nonetheless, any cracks or splits should be repaired from the front and back. Make sure yous work in a dry identify like a garage and have your time with the process – it tin be fiddly merely rushing it will create a bad end.

Thoroughly clean the bumper within and out. Whatever dirt or grease will stop the filler bonding properly and ruin the appearance of the repair. Allow to dry and wipe downwards with solvent wipes, which are usually included in the kit.
Inspect the damaged area closely. If whatsoever shards of plastic are sticking upwardly, carefully remove them with a knife or blade. So sand the area past paw with eighty dust sandpaper to remove raised or sharp edges and leave a somewhat crude end – this will give the filler something to bond with. Wipe away the grit with a slightly damp cloth.
If your bumper is cracked or split, line up the ii sides so they sit level and hold in identify on the front side with stiff masking tape.
Now you'll need to repair the back of croaky bumpers. Some kits contain a solution to help the filler bond to the plastic – apply this first and allow to dry.
Then use a proficient layer of plastic filler fabric, spreading it out over and beyond the area needing the repair. Acquit in listen that the filler unremarkably starts drying quite rapidly, so yous will need to work fast hither.
Next, take the bonding mesh and cut information technology to size, leaving it to extend one inch past all sides of the damage. Adhere the mesh over the damage to pin the 2 sides of the crack in identify.
Apply a liberal layer of filler over the mesh to completely encompass it. Shine information technology out and let the filler to harden for the time stated on the pack instructions earlier you start work on the front of the bumper.

sanding hand car bumper repair

Remove the masking tape and sand downward the damage at the forepart to brand the expanse a picayune low and create a crude surface for bonding. Utilise bonding liquid if supplied.
Apply a liberal amount of repair fabric to the damaged area then that you lot make the surface a little higher than surrounding bumper. Use a spreader like a duster to carefully smooth out the filler. Brand sure to push the filler into whatsoever scratches to fill them right to the bottom. Cover with smoothing picture if supplied and allow to dry and fully harden.
Sand the repair area level, showtime with eighty dust sandpaper and then with a fine grain sandpaper to shine it out. If needed, employ some other light layer of filler over any gaps or dips to restore the original contours.
Once hardened, finish the sanding with wet fine dust sandpaper for a really smoothen finish and wipe away any grit.
Now your repair is finished, it's fourth dimension to prime and pigment the bumper. You lot'll need proper bumper primer and paint that is flexible plenty for plastic, otherwise it may crack and flake. You will likewise need to utilise a clearcoat over the finished paint to go along it in good status and forestall more than damage. Apply at to the lowest degree ii coats of each, primer, paint and clearcoat, allowing to dry out fully between coats. Notation that plastic bumper repair kits don't come with paint or finishes, but may contain primer.
Exit a paint job to dry at least overnight.

After any paint repair, it'south best to wax the auto, preferably professionally to go on the paint in the best condition. Await at to the lowest degree a week after the repair before waxing.

Here are some great resources to help yous carry out a pigment repair on your car:

How to notice your automobile's paint colour code
How to touch upwards car pigment

Professional person plastic bumper repairs

chipsaway repair specialist respraying a car bumper for professional repair

If you're non comfortable with DIY kits, go professional plastic bumper repairs for scuffs, scrapes and cracks with ChipsAway. We're the UK'southward leading motorcar torso repair specialists and our technicians can fix your bumper in but a few hours.

Request your gratis estimate online today.