
How to Repair a Plastic Bumper Dent
- 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.
- Clean. Clean the area around the dent so any tools you might need to use can work properly. ...
- Use Heat for Small Dents. ...
- Rent Tools for Larger Damage. ...
- Repair Cracks or Holes. ...
- Touch Up Paint. ...
Full Answer
How do you remove a dent from a plastic bumper?
Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- A Phillips or flat head screw driver
- Long nose pliers
- Wrench
- Extension
- Socket
- Heating blower
- Object/stick
How to repair a dent in your 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 repair a plastic bumper?
When these are summed up, it will merely show why it involves so much to fix a plastic bumper. Labor – It costs about $200-$300 at $100 per hour with a duration of about 2 – 3 hours. Painting – It costs about $300-$400 at $100 per hour with a duration of about 3 – 4 hours.
How do you fix a bumper Dent?
- Scrub the bumper with dish soap and water using a dish scrubbing pad.
- Sand the entire rubber bumper with 80-grit sandpaper to remove all of the paint.
- Wave a heat gun across the back and front of the bumper wherever there is a dent or blemish.

How do you 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 a dented plastic bumper be repaired?
While these damaged plastic car bumpers can be repaired, for most of them, they shouldn't be repaired. And there is one main reason why. It is more expensive. Most often, replacing a damaged plastic front bumper is actually going to cost less than getting it repaired.
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 a bent plastic bumper be repaired?
To fix a bent plastic bumper, you can try some DIY dent solutions or visit a repair shop for bumper reshaping. It depends on how seriously the bumper is misshapen. If you want to try a homemade fix: Apply boiling water to the bumper and then reach inside the wheel well to pop it back.
Can a body shop fix a bent bumper?
Damages that Require Replacement However, if all the connectors on your bumper are in place and intact, then your auto body shop may be able to fix the alignment or reattach it. This requires the bumper to still be in otherwise good condition.
Is a dent on bumper easy fix?
0:261:51How to fix a dent on the front or rear bumper cover on your ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBelow once the bumper is removed you can push out the dent with your hands. But in most cases thisMoreBelow once the bumper is removed you can push out the dent with your hands. But in most cases this plastic is very rigid. And you can't really do it very easily.
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.
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.
How much does it cost to Undent a bumper?
Cash Cars Buyer reports the average costs to be between $325 and $425. Light scratches are typically quick fixes while deep scratches may result in severe paint chips that reveal the metal or plastic of the bumper. Cash Cars Buyer lists the range of scratch repairs as $50 to $600.
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.
Can you drive around with a dented bumper?
Damaged bumpers Bumpers may become cracked or loose during collisions. If your bumper appears to be ready to fall off or has sustained damage that may hurt pedestrians or others on the road, it may be safer to have the bumper repaired before getting back on the road.
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 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.
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.
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.
