Repairing Guides

how to repair a dent in a plastic bumper

by Alek Price Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Repair a Plastic Bumper Dent

  1. Inspect. Prior to undertaking any of the work necessary to repair the bumper dent, you should inspect it to determine the severity of the problem.
  2. Clean. Clean the area around the dent so any tools you might need to use can work properly. ...
  3. Use Heat for Small Dents. ...
  4. Rent Tools for Larger Damage. ...
  5. Repair Cracks or Holes. ...
  6. Touch Up Paint. ...

Full Answer

How do you remove a dent from a plastic bumper?

The Two Fundamental Tools: Hot and Cold

  • Method 1: Use Dry Ice. For a quick, inexpensive fix with minimal elbow grease, give dry ice a try. ...
  • Method 2: The Boiled Water Method. As the name would suggest, this method entails using boiling water to remove the dent. ...
  • Method 3: The Plunger Method. ...
  • Method 4: Compressed Air and Heat. ...

How much does it cost to fix a dented bumper?

Inusrance.com, in this car body repair article, said the average cost to repair a dented bumper could be as little as $450 for a repair to as much as $900+ for a replacement. Western Auto Body, a collision shop located in California, broke down the costs, including parts, paint and labor time.

How to repaint a plastic bumper?

How to Repaint Bumpers

  1. Sand down the entire bumper with 1200-grit sandpaper. 1200-grit sandpaper is a fine grit sandpaper that will not create deep scratches in the surface of the bumper but ...
  2. Wash the bumper off with a water hose. Remove all of the sanded paint and debris from the bumper.
  3. Dry the bumper with a clean, lint-free cotton towel.

More items...

How to repair frame dent without removing the bumper?

How to beat the large dent out of your vehicle’s door

  • First fight the ‘dent pop point’, if you gently apply force using your hand from the inside of the panel you may hear the metal make a buckle or pop ...
  • Be sure to Hit the dent right in the center crease
  • It should take no more than 1 to 3 solid hits to get the dent to pop out. ...

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How do I get a dent out of a plastic bumper?

Apply Heat to the Dent Warm the bumper surface with a heat-gun tool if you have one (hot water or a powerful hair dryer will work, too) to make the plastic more malleable. Don't apply strong heat too closely or hold the heat source in the same spot for too long—either can damage the paint.

Can plastic bumper dents be repaired?

To fix a dent in a plastic bumper, you have to apply heat and then force the plastic back into its original shape. Here are a few strategies to remove a small dent from a car: Apply boiling water to the dented area. Reach under the wheel well and try to pop out the dent.

How much does it cost to fix a dent in a plastic bumper?

If you just need to have the dent pulled back out and into place, the repair will likely cost $50-$100. However, if the dent is very deep and the paint was damaged as well, you could be looking at a repair of around $200-$1,000, depending on the dent and your chosen repair shop.

Can you fix a dent in a bumper without replacing it?

By using the correct amount of heat and pressure, it is possible to reshape the bumper without causing more damage to it. Applying the correct amount of heat in the right area makes all the difference.

How do you get a dent out of a plastic bumper with hot water?

Fill a pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Carefully pour the water over the surface of the dent to heat up the metal. Allow the metal to flex and return to its original shape. If the bumper is plastic, push the dent out from behind after you pour the hot water over it.

How do you fill in dents in plastic?

0:0013:25How to repair a dent in your plastic bumper. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what i'm gonna do is heat this area up. And then with a wet rag get up there and push that outMoreSo what i'm gonna do is heat this area up. And then with a wet rag get up there and push that out and cool it.

Do dent pullers work?

Do they work? Dent pullers only work on shallow dents that are positioned on a flat, flexible surface. They can improve the appearance of car dents but are unlikely to create a perfect finish. Unfortunately, DIY dent pullers will not work on deep, angular dents or damage along the edges of bodywork.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a bumper?

Bumper repair can be performed in-shop and is often cheaper than bumper replacement. Bumper repair normally costs between $100 and $1,000.

How much does a small dent in the bumper cost?

You can expect PDR to cost, on average, between $150 and $250 for each damaged panel. Expect the cost to increase by a significant margin if, for example, the point of impact is particularly large, or the location of the dent makes it a more complex task for the technician.

How do I get a dent out of my front bumper?

0:261:51How to fix a dent on the front or rear bumper cover on your ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can also achieve the same effect by using heat gun or hair dryer. Immediately after applying theMoreYou can also achieve the same effect by using heat gun or hair dryer. Immediately after applying the heat to the surface push out the dent using piece of wood.

How do you get a dent out of a bumper with a plunger?

Put the plunger over the indented area and pull straight out. Your dent should pop right out. If you're working on a bumper, you can also reach behind the dented surface to push the dent out. Repeat as needed until the dented area is flattened out.

How do you pop out a dent?

0:413:15How to Remove Car Dents Fast - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSome water on your stove in a big pan. And pour it all over the dent area then put the suction cupMoreSome water on your stove in a big pan. And pour it all over the dent area then put the suction cup on it'll all batter. Plus the heat off and makes the metal. Get more flexible.

Can you fix a dent in a metal bumper?

0:251:49How to Remove Metal Bumper Dents - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you had a softer metal where you don't want a lot of this to raise up you can use this there's aMoreIf you had a softer metal where you don't want a lot of this to raise up you can use this there's a bunch of others in there and you just tap from the backside.

How do you straighten a bent bumper?

0:354:44Easy Bumper Straightening - Hustler Stick Tool - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you sight down it and then you twist it and align it well that gets it straight but the problemMoreAnd you sight down it and then you twist it and align it well that gets it straight but the problem is if your bumper brackets themselves are a little tweaked. This is the stick.

How to get dents out of bumper?

If the first step does not work, try to heat the plastic bumper with a hairdryer. Turn the dryer to the high, hot setting, and make sure you blow-dry the dented area in a continual sweeping motion for about three minutes. Then, try to push the dent out manually once again, this time using heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the warmth. If this doesn’t work, you can try the same trick but using a wooden block for extra force to pop the dent out from inside the cover.

What is plastic bumper dents?

Plastic bumper dents are blemishes to otherwise seemingly perfect-looking cars. You could replace the entire bumper, purchase a suction-style car-dent puller, or you can try one of these quick and easy fixes from home.

What do I need to fix a small dent in my car?

Heat gun. What You'll Need. Hair dryer. Wet cloth. Wooden block. Heat-resistant gloves. Safety goggles. Heat gun. Because car dents are one of the most common repairs, it’s worth learning how to fix a small dent at home so that you don’t have to take a trip to the mechanic.

How to cool down a car bumper?

The wet cloth will help cool down the bumper. Keep your hands on either side of the bumper for a few minutes, holding the bumper's shape in place. It is important to allow a couple of minutes to pass. Otherwise, the heated region of the bumper will revert to its previous dented position.

Money-saving steps to repair this common problem

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Get Access Behind the Bumper

Depending on the location of the dent on your bumper, you may need to remove the fender liner ahead of the front tire (see above) or a lower aerodynamic valance below the bumper to gain access to the interior of the dent. Both can be unclipped manually.

Apply Heat to the Dent

Warm the bumper surface with a heat-gun tool if you have one (hot water or a powerful hair dryer will work, too) to make the plastic more malleable. Don’t apply strong heat too closely or hold the heat source in the same spot for too long—either can damage the paint.

Gently Push Out the Dent

Use a rubber-tipped dowel or specialty tool (like the one shown in the illustration, readily available online) to push out the dent from the interior until it begins to pop back into its intended shape. You may need to gently work on any small indents with the tool to get a smooth surface. Then replace the fender liner.

Where is the red circle on a car bumper?

Normally there will be one at the top of the dent, through a body line and the bottom of a dent. If you heat up the areas which are circled in red from the front and the back of the bumper you will have less risk of burning the paint as you’re not holding the paint gun on one area for a prolonged time.

Can you glue pull a sprite?

You cannot glue pull it, and you definitely do not need to use a kettle or boiling water. Actually, all you need is a heat gun, two functional hands, and an oven mitt.

Can you glue pull plastic dents?

Access the dent. Since you cannot glue pull plastic dents, you will need to gain access behind every bumper repair. This does not mean you have to take it off though. Depending on where the dent is located you may only need to take off one side so that it is hanging enough for you to get in behind.

Can you push a dent out with an oven mitt?

You just have to go with the flow, if it’s not hot enough when you go to push it out, it will not move easily. Remember to use an oven mitt on your hand when pushing the dent. It will allow you to work on the dent without risk of hurting yourself. When pushing out the dent you want to work as if it’s normal PDR.

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