BUMPER REPAIR
A vehicle bumper is probably the part of the vehicle that is involved in collisions the most whether it be from minor fender benders in traffic or minor collisions with objects caused by the driver. The good thing about most bumpers today is that unlike older model vehicle bumpers, newer vehicle bumpers are protected by a durable form of plastic that can withstand most minor collisions.
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Bumper replacement on average can cost $900 dollars or more depending on the make and model of the vehicle. This can be quite expensive even if it is covered mostly by insurance. In some cases, the bumper may not need to be replaced because it isn’t damaged. Instead, the plastic covering on the bumper usually sustains minor scratches or cracks that can easily be repaired with most of the costs going towards labor.
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You may want to resort to do-it-yourself repair options to fix the minor scraps on the plastic. However, be advised that DIY projects won’t always yield the factory finished quality that your vehicle needs. When it comes to bumper repair, no matter how minor the scrape, you should instead consider leaving the job to the experts.
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The process of repairing the bumper cover is relatively easy. It usually begins with removing the plastic bumper cover from the vehicle. After this, the technician can check to see what types of plastic the bumper is made of. Typically, there are four types of plastic that are used: TPO, Thermo-set, SMC, and propylene with TPO being the most difficult to repair.
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Once the plastic is removed and the type of plastic is determined, the technician proceeds with prepping the piece by scuffing the damaged area and cleaning it. This is followed by rinsing it. Next, the technician will mix hardener and repair adhesive to be used on the damaged area applying at least two coats. Once it dries and hardens, it will need to be sanded and contoured. Then, the technician will apply a sealant which will also require two coats. Once this sealant dries, the technician will again sand the plastic piece. He will then lay a primer on it – two again being the magic number. Once the primer has hardened, the technician will dry sand the piece in order to level it and contour it to perfection. A base coat will then be applied which is usually sprayed onto the piece. This will be repeated as necessary.
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Once the base coat dries, the technician will apply a clear coat and hardener mix as the final coat which will be left to dry overnight. Once the final coat has dried overnight, the plastic piece will be reinstalled on the vehicle. Any blemishes can be adjusted by sanding the piece more while it is on the vehicle. Finally, the technician will use a foam polish pad and buffer to restore the paint to factory finished quality.
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If you are in need of bumper repair, please call us at 574-288-CARS (2277). We offer price match guarantee and can get parts within 24 hours. We are proud to serve the communities of South Bend, IN, Mishawaka, IN, Elkhart, IN, Goshen, IN, Granger, IN, and Niles, MI.