But if your bumper is cracked or split, the repair process becomes more complicated as you need to seal the split. It involves sanding, sealing, sculpting and painting, so it’s not a job for DIY novices. Choosing a repair kit. If you are thinking of trying to fix the damage yourself, there are a range of plastic bumper repair kits available. Check out how we saved ourselves $500 by fixing this cracked bumper instead of buying one. This procedure would work on almost any bumper. We have another bumper repair videos on World Mechanics.
- A car accident is never fun, either is the resulting damage and paying for car repair costs. If you've dented your bumper, developed deep paint scratches or otherwise damaged your car, you may be surprised to discover that the car repair cost for auto body mishaps can range between $50 to $1,500, and more.
- Remove your cracked bumper. This is a picture of our cracked bumper. This is a small crack. With this method, you can repair much larger bumper cracks. We strongly recommend that you remove the bumper in order to repair the crack. Or at least partially remove it. Bumpers may seem hard to remove but they are not.
How To Repair Cracked Bumper On Car
After you remove the plastic piece from your bumper (the screws connecting the plastic covering can be tricky to locate: try under the tail lights, behind the wheel wells, and below the trunk latch where we found our Honda Civic's), you'll need a warm, dry place to work in so that the repair adhesives can cure properly. But which adhesives you need will depend on the type of plastic in your bumper. Thus, the first step is to find a stamp on the inside of your bumper labeling it as PP, PPO, TPE, PUR, or TPUR. When you purchase your repair products, be sure to consult with the counterman at the auto parts store to determine which recipe is right for your bumper's plastic. Be sure to stick to the same brand for all of your products to ensure compatibility.
To prep, begin by slightly scuffing the damaged area and cleaning it with plastic surface cleaner. If the bumper is cut or torn through completely, make sure to scrub the inner and outer surfaces. After rinsing and letting the surface dry, wipe the area with prep solvent, moving in only one direction.
To prep, begin by slightly scuffing the damaged area and cleaning it with plastic surface cleaner. If the bumper is cut or torn through completely, make sure to scrub the inner and outer surfaces. After rinsing and letting the surface dry, wipe the area with prep solvent, moving in only one direction.