How to Repair a Bumper on an Automobile

Keeping your bumper in good shape requires regular maintenance.

If you care about the aesthetic appearance of your automobile, your automobile bumper will need protection as well as proper maintenance. However, if your bumper has been damaged and is in need of repair, you can repair it with the appropriate knowledge and materials.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning agent
• Structure repair material
• Adhesion promoter
• Mixing tips
• Material for backing re-enforcement
• Putty for finishing
• Mixing gun applicator

Instructions

1. Sand down the repair area, including cracks, splits and holes. You may have to weld these cracks if your bumper isn't plastic. Otherwise, scuff and sand the entire repair area with a cleaning agent until smooth. In order to get the desired effect, you will have to do this several times.

2. Clean your bumper thoroughly in order for the repair process to be effective. One way to test for cleanness is to pour water on the bumper, including the repair area. Water should stay wet instead of beading up or simply vanishing from the plaster. Clean again if bumper doesn't remain wet.

3. Prime the bumper when it is dry and use the scuff pad to eliminate all blemishes that still exist using a small angle air grinder to smooth down the edges. Accomplishing this opens up more space on the surface area so that you can effectively apply the structure adhesive.

4. Clean the repair area once more in order to apply various repair materials, no later than 30 minutes after the panel is clean. Waiting any longer will allow the mold release to appear on the surface, which will interfere with the effectiveness of the repair material.

5. Apply the repair material, including adhesion promoter, on both sides. After about 10 minutes, and before putting on the mixing tip, clean the two-part cartridge. Purify about two more inches of the material on cardboard. After this, apply the structural repair material, gunning all cracks and holes until they are completely filled. You may need to use a reinforcement piece in order to cover the back side of the repair. The backing piece will help keep the repair material in alignment with the contours of the bumper as you spread the contour plastic material on top.

6. Sand the repair lightly and complete with a plastic finishing filler an hour after applying the repair material.

Tips & Warnings

• Repair manuals are useful in order to perform an excellent bumper repair job. These will guide you through the repair job, allowing you to refer back to them for information if necessary. You can find these manuals at some automotive repair shops, online or at your local bookstore.

• Abstain from using sanding paste, wax or grease removers on plastic bumpers. These may be alright for metal bumpers but not for plastic. Using such materials will ruin the bumper, causing the grease remover and solvents to loosen the mold release. Use only the recommended cleaning agents.

• Repairing a bumper can be a tough job, especially for an inexperienced rookie, do-it-yourself mechanic. Nevertheless, your automobile bumper needs to be in great shape if it is to enhance the appearance of your vehicle. Your bumper not only protects you in a crash situation, it also gives your car appeal.

References

• Auto & Truck Bumper: Plastic Bumper Repair
• Autobody Supply: How to Repair Plastic Bumper Covers
• Car Parts: Bumpers