I am a middle aged nerd who likes to joke around and work on cars, computers and houses. Paint touch-up pen (matching your vehicle). Why not fix it yourself? But scratches and cracks on plastic bumpers makes it look ugly. In the summertime, its pretty common for people to start car shopping for a new or used car. Plastics that smear when sanded can have the groves made through cordless drill and a rotary file. The purpose of this video, is to teach you , step by step, everything you need to know to sucesssfully fix your car and give it its original look. These parts, washed and brushed, can be treated before assembly with WD-40 Multi-use. Scientists Turn Dead Spiders Into Creepy Grippers, Pentagon: Aid for Ukraine Crushes Russian Morale, The Zodiac Killer, the Secret SR-72, and More, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. If you decide to do it yourself, after cleaning and treatment with the abrasive paste, a light layer of filler for plastic materials, which remains more flexible than that for bodywork, must be applied to the damaged part and then after further sanding, restore the coloured paint and the transparent lacquered finish that blends it to the rest of the surface. Wait until the surface is cured and assess your work. Is OReillys Open On 4th Of July? After it has hardened, sand everything level, first with 80-grit, then 120-grit, and then apply a light skim coat of repair material to fill pits and surface imperfections, and to restore the original contour. amzn_assoc_linkid = "6881f3254dd204d0b9d45b6366e2cc36"; Before you rush out and spend money on restoration tools and equipment to repair the scuff or scratch, you need to examine the damage properly. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Deep scratches and scuffs should be sanded down and carefully filled with black body filler. The Tools of the Trade What You Need to Repair Scuffs and Scratches. Examine the scratch. Blot the surface dry with paper towels before continuing. A careless driver can scratch your bumper in the mall parking lot as they try to navigate their way into the parking spot next to you. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If you have a silver or gold car and you notice any stripes, follow up with some vertical passes. A Step-by-Step Process to Restoring Your Bumper. Keep in mind that no two bumpers are made the same way. If the scratches are not deep and do not affect the body of the bumper in a particular way we can eliminate them quite quickly. Once they were removed, we were able to slide the bumper's tabs off a number of slots in the rear quarter panels. Repair tears and cuts from the back side of the fascia. 7 Easy Ways to Prevent Your Car from Rusting. Get Endurance! If you have the fascia off the car, you can work indoorsbut not in the basement because these chemicals can give off some pretty noxious fumes. Tell us about your car and well help you get set up with the products you need! You may have to use a rag wrapped around a finger to get into the scratch. After the bumper has been repaired and repainted it must then be put back in place. So, how do you repair the scuff or scratch, without spending a fortune? The trick to getting the best results is to sand the putty down to conform to the contour of the bumper. The grooves allow you to align the two edges more easily. Use the 80-grit sandpaper to sand down the putty till its smooth and conforms to the contour of the bumper. Use cleaning solvents made especially made for cleaning purposes to clear the bumper. But figuring those steps out WILL save you. Repairing the cars bumper is not a particularly complex operation when dealing with localized damage and very often its replacement is not necessary. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Weld a wire mesh into the plastic underside of the bumper using a plastic bumper repair kit. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, it seems the other cars left a little something: your bumpers have been SCRATCHED, KNICKED, DENTED. But with the fascia removed, it's easy to identify the type of plastic because it's stamped into the back side. Choose a buffing product that contains nano-polymer additives to ensure a lasting shine on the surface. Then follows the filling and painting procedure examined previously. Once that happens, be sure to sand the area by hand with 80-grit paper. If using the paintbrush applicator instead of the pen, buy a fine paint brush to guide the paint. 2022, Best Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner Alternative Symptoms Of A Bad MAF Sensor, Why Is My Car Shaking? You will need to use an 80-grit then 120- grit followed by a 200-grit sandpaper and sanding the whole affected area until it merges with rest of the bumper. picanto Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. When the first layer of tape is in place, apply a second layer so the threads run at a 90-degree angle to the first layer. After the bumper has been repaired and repainted it must then be put back in place. If you notice that its of alignment, this is a job for a panel beater workshop, not a DIY fix. Wrap a sheet of coarse sandpaper around your scuff pad, and sand the bumper with firm pressure until you have smoothed the scratches out. A scratch occurs when another surface or object penetrates the bumper. Wait two minutes before slowly apply a heavier layer, overlapping each pass by about 50%. Alex also has experience as a Service Advisor and, Service Manager at both independent repair shops and, new car dealerships. But it's worth the effort for repairs that would cost less than your deductible. Make sure that the paint is applied in a properly ventilated location. (Our Civic bumper is made of polypropylene.) Apply two medium clearcoats, allowing each to dry in between. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. As with scuffs, they vary in severity. Once it's in place, lightly wetsand the painted surface with 1500-grit paper to remove dust particles and surface paint imperfections. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In order to avoid problems, you need to thoroughly clean the screw seats, the screws themselves and any joints in the profiles and the internal stone guards. After finishing the buff, step back and admire your work, your bumper will look as good as new. But if the plastic you want to restore has deeper scratches, then, unfortunately, toothpaste, of any kind, is not going to be up to the job, and you will have to try something else instead. Car bumpers are typically matt rather than glossy, but if you were to buy the right products, you could give your car bumpers a really nice shine. a11 absorbing sturdy tinysaturn shock protecive You may need to repeat this process two or three times to cover completely. This repair technique will work for all other black plastic trim on your car, as well as other vehicles such as motorbike plastics, and boat trim. Even though more and more drivers will be on the road during the summer, vehicle damage can happen all year round. After you fill the cut or tear and any low spots in the front of the fascia with the appropriate repair material be sure to squeegee it. On most modern cars there are screws behind metal caps near the trunk latch, as well as screws under the lights and at the wheel wells. You go out, do your errands and come back to your car. Alex has worked in the automotive service industry for over 20 years. And recoloring is a very easy and straightforward process whatever recoloring product you decide to use. After drying for 30 minutes, the fascia is ready for priming and painting. And then at the end, buffing it out with a polish that contains nano-polymer additives. Black plastic bumpers are a common feature of cars, boats, and motorbikes. After graduating from one of the countrys top technical schools, he worked as a Technician achieving a Master Technician certification. Before spraying the bumper with basecoat, wetsand it and gently wipe the area with a tack rag to remove dust, then spray according to the manufacturer's instructions. Not all vehicles qualify for coverage; Endurance does not offer VSCs in California. using the contact info above; including your wireless number, if provided, regarding auto protection. 500 and 600-grit sandpaper for finishing. They also provide more surface area for the repair material to adhere to. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. If it needs to be fixed I will try and repair it. However, if the damage is in a hard-to-reach spot, you may have to remove the bumper. Therefore, we would argue that if you do decide to use WD40 as a filler for your bumpers scratches, you should then follow that up with a buffing job. Mix up some black body filler following the product guidelines. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Some sheets of coarse and fine sandpaper. Alex now the Director of Claims at Endurance Dealer Services overseeing the administration of all contract benefits. In this way the torn parts are firmly repositioned according to the shape of the bumper. How do I reset my Ford Instrument cluster? Prime the fender with two coats of any two-part primer-surfacer, making sure to let the primer dry between coats. And thats it. A lot of people would first try to do what you shouldn't: Head to the local auto parts store for some el cheapo body filler and a can of matching spray paint. Read the labels carefully. no-obligation quote. It is a whole new set of supplies you need to gather in terms of fixing painted plastic/carbon fiber parts as opposed to the metal that used to be used to make bumpers. When you possess a car you always want it to appear shiny and dazzling. Picture this: you just spent minutes perfecting your parallel parking so that youre just close enough to the curb and have just enough distance from the cars in front and behind you. You might need to repeat this step a second time in order to get everything smoothed out. For best results, keep the paint out of the sun until it cures. All Rights Reserved. How long should I let my car idle to charge its battery? Mix equal parts of hardener and repair adhesive on a dish or cardboard of sorts. It just requires buying the right product for the job. Use a utility blade to remove the excess, and then wait for it to dry and cure completely before following the next step. If the bumper is not painted, proceed with a thorough cleaning of the damaged part with the. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. PUR (polyurethane plastic rigid) and TPUR (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) react to being ground or sanded by powdering up. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; A gel toothpaste wont achieve the desired effect, but a regular toothpaste should fair just fine. Various carmakers use different methods of attaching these plastic bumper covers. Want to Save THOUSANDS on Auto Repairs? Initialize with removing the aluminum tape that was applied in step-2 and clean the top side of the bumper with any solvent. When wiping with this material, go in only one direction because going in two directions simply drags contaminants back into the repair. Look for screws or bolts under the trunk carpeting between the wheel and the rear bumper. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Slightly scuff the damaged area before cleaning it with plastic surface cleaner. How do you restore a GREY plastic bumper? Message and data rates may apply. Then you apply it to the bumper using a microfiber cloth. Don't slop it on heavily or you'll have more work later. Again, read the labels and follow the maker's recommendations for operator safetythis stuff can be very toxic if inhaled. Its an unfortunate occurrence, but as we all know accidents happen. Repair tears and cuts from the backside of the fascia. Once you are done painting, wait at least five minutes before applying a light layer of clearcoat. 2022 WD-40 Company. Check how your bumper lines up to the panel. Now sand everything to a level after the surface dries. Form A V groove in the damaged area. Once its off, it is some for what Popular Mechanics refers to as the Fascia Facelift.. After that, use the 40-grit to clean up the rough edges left by the 80-grit sandpaper. Removing scratches from plastic bumpers can be a very expensive if you take it in to an auto repair shop. And whether you are seeking a car for your family, college, taking.. Road trips are a summertime staple, and planning your trip ahead of time can help things go more smoothly. email shortly. As with most things cars: compatibility is important. Fix a deep scratch by applying a thin layer of paint from a touch-up pen to the scratch. What you need is the following (at the very least): Whats interesting to note is the fact that when referring to a bumper youre not actually talking about the part of the car that protects the front and rear frame of your car. In order to avoid problems, you need to thoroughly clean the screw seats, the screws themselves and any joints in the profiles and the internal stone guards. Press the pen inwards on a location other than the car so that the paint starts to come out. If you encounter any bumps, cloudiness, or "cat" scratches, just wait five minutes, sand again until smooth, and try again. Prime the fender with two coats of any two-part primer-surfacer, making sure to let the primer dry between coats. Work in a warm, dry place. You don't have to cover your car with hard-to-remove bumper stickers to make it look better, however. To submit your questions or ideas, or to simply learn more, see our about us page: link below. Then the special abrasive paste is applied to the affected part working patiently and repeatedly with circular movements until the part is smoothed and the scratches disappear. Fixing damaged plastic bumpers involves grinding, sanding, sculpting and painting. After the solvent has dried, sand the area by hand with 80-grit paper. 2022. Youll be pleased to hear that WD40 can be used to treat bumper scratches, especially the lighter ones that arent too deep. You The job is then completed with a polishing pad. This is a job that can be complicated and care must be taken not to break the contours that are used for fixing and interlocking. Scratches and scuffs are minor damage that insurance companies dont like to pay out to repair. Copyright 2022 Endurance Warranty Services, LLC. However, since the precise shape is not perfectly obtained, it is always necessary to carry out sanding initially with a higher-grit abrasive and then with a fine-grit one to smooth and even out the profile. A scuff or scratch on your bumper is annoying to behold, and theres a reason why so many cars on the road have this damage. Copyright 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Your quote is in progress and you will receive a confirmation How we test gear. Follow the guidelines and restore your vehicle to its former glory! Dish soap can damage your finish or the paint (if it is in poor condition). Now if you find any scratches that will not sand out, fill them in with a thin layer of scratch-filling putty. Regardless of plastic type, prepping the fascia is the same: Begin by slightly scuffing the damaged area and cleaning it with plastic surface cleaner. Use self-stick fiberglass-repair tape to add structure to the cut or tear. Next, you'll need to form a "V" groove in the damaged area on the front and back sides of the fascia. A VSC is a contract between you and a VSC provider or administrator that states what is a covered repair and what is not. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Stamps of PUR (polyurethane plastic rigid) and TPUR (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) are plastics that powder when ground or sanded. bumper plastic repair scratched panel sanding remover clean step Wait 10 minutes, remove the tape and paper, and you are done. Shake the primer can for about sixty seconds, and apply a thin layer of primer. Rinse the soap off completely. Its formula is also suitable in difficult cases of oxidation. Youre done. Make sure that you note the depth and severity of damage; theres a difference between the two types. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07HNHC828"; Mix the adhesive and apply it over the tape with a body-filler squeegee. After assessing the damage, its time to prepare your tools to get the job done. Can This Machine Finally Hunt Down Dark Matter? But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. paint charcoal spray trim tb102 bumper dupli dark duplicolor oz fl gray aerosol automotive 11oz While not as severe as a bumper crack or dent, a trip to an auto body repair shop can still cost an average of $560, and they will probably need to keep your car for a few days. Once complete, youll be left with a shiny finish that wouldnt look out of place in a car showroom. Cover any areas that might be hit with unwanted overspray with newspaper or butcher paper. Grind a "V" into the back of panel to remove loose material and give more surface area for adhesion. Examine the bumper carefully and if there is a crack then hold it from both sides of the crack in proper alignment. The insurance company is also likely to increase your monthly premium. Now, take a 60 grit sandpaper to surface the bumper. This type of repair is very easy to do and will make you save money doing it yourself. Thats the short answer to the question anyway. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Honda SUV Wrecks McLaren 570s on Woodward Ave, The Mario KartInspired Mazda Miata of TikTok, USPS to Issue Stamps of 5 Classic Pony Cars, VW Reveals Charging Hub That Reuses EV Batteries, GM to Place Fast-Chargers at 500 U.S. Truck Stops, The Best Car Jacks for Automotive Maintenance. Keep Your Car From shaking: Tips New 2022, How to Fix Paint Chips on Car Fast and Easy 2022, How To Install LED Lights in Car by Yourself- Guide 2022, How to Get Rid of Roaches in Car by Following These Steps- 2022. Many people may view a scuff or scratch as a minor cosmetic problem. The painting can be performed by a body-shop. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. After stripping and contouring, use the 400-grit with some water to produce a smooth surface. Repeat until the thing is covered completely and evenly. You should follow this step so that it makes the surface smooth enough to go for the next step. However, if youre a conscientious car owner, that scuff or scratch is eating away at your mind every time you step into your car. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". However, the reality is that there could be damage thats not entirely visible on the surface. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. The best way to buff out your bumper after filling the scratches in is to use a premium quality buffing product that contains nano-polymer additives. In this step, you have to make sure to give strength to the repair. Use an aluminum tape on the outside of the bumper to hold both edges of the crack in a proper way. For plastic types that powder when sanded, cut the grooves with a 24-grit disc on a sander. After removing those Once they were removed, we were able to slide the bumpers tabs off a number of slots in the rear quarter panels. Disassembly is carried out by loosening the various screws that secure the bumper to the bodywork, remove any internal fender guard, and disconnect the cables that power any headlights. Apply the buffing compound to the buffer pad and then evenly buff out the scratch. And that's precisely the scenario we were faced with after trying to maneuver our trusty Honda Civic out of a tight space in a crowded mall parking lot. For small repairs it is not necessary to have a particular set of tools and materials, while for more demanding repairs some special tools are required. There are ways to save a little bit and a way to perform a not-so quick-fix as a do it yourself project. In this article we are going to show you how to repair a scratched urethane plastic or fiberglass bumper cover on your own, in a fraction of the time, at a fraction of the cost. This is a bad idea. No matter what plastic your fascia is or what filler you use the steps remain the same: After the material has hardened, look towards the front of the fascia and remove any tape. Most scratches are a result of impacts. There are too many companies to name that specialize in DIY repair accessories for scratches and bumpers. You may need to repeat this process two or three times to cover completely. All Rights Reserved. To bring out the luster of the paint, use rubbing compound on the foam polishing pad of a rotary buffing machine, still avoiding creases and seams. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Before spraying the bumper with basecoat, wetsand it and gently wipe the area with a tack rag to remove dust, then spray according to the manufacturer's instructions. FREE ONLINE QUOTE. Youll be pleased to hear that you can use toothpaste to remove minor and shallow scratches from most hard plastics. You may be able to get away with repairing the bumper without the need for filler if the scratch isnt too severe. Even a small scuff or bump can dislodge the grommets and plugs that attach your bumper to the frame or body. You'll need a warm, dry place to work because the repair adhesives and fillers cure within a fairly narrow range of temperatures. Wipe the area with a prep solvent. Next, using 80-grit sandpaper, remove any material that has squeezed through, and sand any spots that are above the finished level of the fascia. The Age Old Question. The actual bumper part of a front or rear bumper is what is hidden beneath that plastic or sheet metal that is prone to nicks and scratches. The theory goes that you can run into it lightly and the plastic will pop back into its original shape. Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. However, its important to note at this point that it will leave a shiny glossy finish. What This does is allow you to align the two edges more easily while creating surface for repair material to stick. bumper rear procedures repair sportage kia guards bumper floor protection mounted walls protect prevent stainless steel rolling kofflersales Apply two wet coats of flexible part sealer. This kind of damage is merely irritating and detracts from the visual effect, especially if its a new car. Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category. Scuffs are minor damage where the outside of the bumper makes contact with another surface leaving minor, shallow marks across the bumper. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. NOW you can spray the paint according to the manufacturers instructions. Once you are done sanding wipe down the panel with your cleaning towel, then clean the entire panel with wax and grease-remover. Apply the 60 grit sandpaper to surface of the bumper to entirely cover the crack. This step involves applying filler on the top side of bumper. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Spread the plastic filler over the repair. and you can withdraw consent at any time. Apply filler material into the cracks by pressing it and wiping across. And the good news is that its easier than you might think. Rubbing alcohol, and abrasive cleaner or stripper. However, if the plastic bumper has seen a lot of UV damage and has become bleached, you would be well advised to apply additional coats of color until you get the result you want. NOTE (read the labels and follow the makers recommendations for operator safety). Over the years the making of auto body parts has changed and thus you, the vehicle owner will need to adjust. With 80-grit sandpaper, sand off any excess material that has squeezed through. Perhaps you scuff your bumper as you pull into your garage at home. But a better toothpaste to use would be whitening toothpaste because it is more abrasive. Too many vehicle owners end up heading to their local auto parts store for some really cheap body filler and a can of what they think is matching spray paint. Then finish sand with wet 400-grit paper. A VSC does, however, provide repair coverage for your vehicle after the manufacturers car warranty expires. Clean the area around the scratch with dish soap to remove any dirt or surface wax. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. That way you can be sure of getting a showroom finish that will last for at least the next 6 months. OReilly Opening Hours & Holidays, 11 Incredible Uses for WD-40 on your Automobile, How Long Does It Take To Change Tires? Once the basecoat is dry (usually about 30 minutes), mix the clearcoat with hardener. Cooper? NOTE: if the area has been torn or pierced, you need to really scrub the surfaces inside and out. It is common for this part of the car to come into contact with foreign objects, during parking or when travelling. When you spray WD40 over scratches the oil fills in the gaps. Disclosure: A Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) is often referred to as an auto warranty or an extended car warranty, but it is not a warranty. Theres nothing worse than buying a new car and scuffing the bumper in the first few months of ownership. Eventually, you will spray the bumper with a basecoat. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Use a cut off tool with grinding wheel installed to clean the one or two inch area on the sides of crack or scratch. Make sure that the scratch is completely covered by the paint. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Follow these suggestions to quickly and easily remove scratches from plastic bumpers. Add a layer of clear coat and buff it after the clear coat dries. In less serious cases it is possible to carry out a repair on your own obtaining excellent results, leaving the repair of more serious situations to the body-shop, especially if they also involve parts of the bodywork. Disassembly is carried out by loosening the various screws that secure the bumper to the bodywork, remove any internal fender guard, and disconnect the cables that power any headlights.