How to Fix Dents on Plastic Bumper Covers

Plastic bumper covers are used on many modern cars. The actual bumper is an unattractive square-shaped bar that is welded to the frame of the vehicle. Foam or rubber padding is attached to the bumper and a plastic bumper cover fits over it to support the flow and shape of the vehicle. The plastic material is difficult to dent, but when dents occur, you can fix them with materials from an auto parts store.

Things You'll Need

• 220-grit sandpaper
• Body filler
• Hardener
• Squeegee
• Sanding block
• Wax-and-grease remover
• Microfiber towel
• Masking paper and tape
• Primer
• Paint

Instructions

1. Sand the dent and 3 inches around the outside of the dent with 220-grit sandpaper. Sand until the paint is gone and you see the plastic beneath.

2. Scoop out enough body filler to fill the dent and place it on a palette. Add a small line of hardener. The ratio is one 3-inch line of hardener for every golf-ball-sized amount of filler. Use the squeegee to thoroughly mix them until the filler is a solid color.

3. Fill the dent with the body filler and smooth it with the squeegee. The surface of the filler should be slightly higher than the surrounding surface of the bumper. Let the filler dry for 30 minutes to an hour, or until it is completely hard and dry.

4. Sand the filler with 220-grit sandpaper on a sanding block. Keep the sanding block flat against the bumper and sand until the filler is smooth and level with the surface of the bumper.

5. Place masking tape and paper around the area that you sanded. Make sure all areas with missing paint are exposed and not covered with tape or paper.

6. Wipe the area with wax-and-grease remover and a microfiber towel. Let the area dry for 5 minutes.

7. Spray primer over the area. Hold the sprayer 10 inches from the surface. Move your hand left and right, not up and down or around. Let the first coat dry for 10 minutes before spraying a second coat. Let the second coat dry for 30 minutes.

8. Apply four thin coats of paint over the dried primer. Let each coat dry for 5 minutes before applying the next coat. Keep the coats thin enough so the paint doesn’t run. Let the final coat dry for six hours before touching the paint.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray paint and primer in a well-ventilated or open area.

• Using a hot-air gun can be dangerous for both you and the bumper cover. Be aware of your distance to the cover, and the placement of your hands.

• Be aware of the hot-air gun. High temperatures can ruin your paint so be careful while it's in use.

• Unplug and properly put away all equipment so as to not hurt others or yourself.