Repairing Guides

how to repair cracked bumper plates

by Tremaine Rath IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The Task: How To Fix a Cracked Bumper

  1. Remove the bumper.. Clean the area of the crack with soap and water thoroughly. Follow this by also using wax and...
  2. Grab your rotary tool and grinding bit.. Working specifically on the inside, unpainted portion of the bumper, begin...
  3. Thoroughly sand the area of the crack on the inside.. Sand the area in as many different...

Full Answer

How much does a cracked bumper cost to fix?

We recommend that you avoid over-speeding and take it to professionals for repair as soon as you notice a serious crack in your bumper. Although it might cost you between $300 and $1500, depending on the vehicle, but it is better to repair it while you can than cause greater havoc as a result of your negligence.

Should I replace or repair my bumper?

When should I replace my bumper cover?

  • The Bumper is Cracked. If the bumper on the car is cracked, it typically needs to be replaced, rather than repaired.
  • There is Major Paint Damage. If your bumper has a lot of scratches or chipped paint, you may want to replace the bumper, rather than repair it.
  • The Hooks on the Bumper are Damaged or Broken.

How to fix a crack in a rear bumper yourself?

Plastic Bumper Repair

  1. Choose an Adhesive and Prep the Fascia. After you remove the plastic piece from your bumper (the screws connecting the plastic covering can be tricky to locate: try ...
  2. Grind a "V" After the solvent has dried, sand the area by hand with 80-grit paper. ...
  3. Mix the Adhesive and Repair Tears. ...
  4. Spread the Plastic Filler. ...
  5. Sand and Contour. ...
  6. Paint. ...

How do you fix a cracked plastic bumper?

Cracked Bumper Repair Step 1: Remove the Bumper. Here's what the bumper damage looks like before the repair. Step 2: Sanding. Next, use a dremel tool to carve a V shaped groove in the back of the bumper along the crack. Step 3: Apply Epoxy. Step 4: Fill in the Crack. Step 5: Prime and Paint the Bumper. Step 6: Reinstall the Bumper.

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Can you repair bumper plates?

Gluing bumper plate inserts can be done by any competent handy-person. If you don't want to mess around with repairs and you're ready to replace your damaged bumper plates with new ones, make sure to choose bumpers with hooked inserts firmly anchored into the rubber.

Can you repair a cracked bumper?

Nearly every cracked plastic bumper can be repaired, and usually for less than half the cost of a new bumper. While almost every cracked bumper can be repaired, it isn't always practical. A plastic bumper crack repair job requires a special plastic welding technique plus the application of structural adhesives.

How do you repair a cracked plastic fender?

0:133:13Proper Repair of Crack or Tear on Plastic Bumper Products - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a DA with P 80 grit to rough up the backside for the reinforcement repair blow off the repairMoreUse a DA with P 80 grit to rough up the backside for the reinforcement repair blow off the repair with clean dry air and apply a light coat of adhesion. Promoter. Allow ten minutes of drying time.

How do you fix a small crack in a bumper?

0:528:11Bumper DIY Crack Repair. Fix all types! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is a two-part epoxy. Now it's the gorilla mech but it can be any type of two-part epoxy. AndMoreThis is a two-part epoxy. Now it's the gorilla mech but it can be any type of two-part epoxy. And this is just regular bandage.

Can I use JB Weld on my bumper?

1:046:47How To Repair A Torn Bumper Cover, Review JB Weld Plastic BonderYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is a material that I use the jb weld plastic Bhandar. And if you take a look at. It. There youMoreThis is a material that I use the jb weld plastic Bhandar. And if you take a look at. It. There you go so it's body panel adhesive. So this is the really really good stuff for plastic.

Can you Gorilla Glue a car bumper?

While a popular house product, people may ask, “Can Gorilla Glue be used on cars? any of their products are great automotive glues.

Can I use body filler on plastic bumper?

Body filler and glaze is not meant to flex the way that plastic does, therefore the material would crack. Plastic repair materials should be used when performing repairs on bumper covers. These materials or adhesives, are two-part epoxies, urethanes, or acrylics.

Can plastic bumpers be repaired?

Many plastic bumper parts can be repaired, especially bumper covers, which are commonly damaged on a vehicle. By saving your bumper, the technician will also be able to blend the appended paint more efficiently and accurately.

Can a plastic fender be repaired?

If your plastic bumper has scuffs and scratch damage, the repair can be carried out just on the front side of the bumper. However, any cracks or splits should be repaired from the front and back.

Can you repair small crack in plastic bumper?

1:004:05DIY Bumper Crack Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm going to be using some jb weld plastic Bhandar it's a two-part mixture that has a 15-minuteMoreI'm going to be using some jb weld plastic Bhandar it's a two-part mixture that has a 15-minute setting time I'm going to mix up my epoxy. And fill in the crack.

How do you repair plastic body panels?

0:5020:18How To Repair Broken Plastic Car Parts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI like using toothpicks here to actually apply the epoxy. Now depending on how nice you want theMoreI like using toothpicks here to actually apply the epoxy. Now depending on how nice you want the final product to look we're going to use various grits of different sandpaper.

Can you weld a plastic bumper?

2:006:56Bumper Repair with Hot Air Plastic Welder - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd wait for the welder to achieve operating temperature heat the tip of the rod and the baseMoreAnd wait for the welder to achieve operating temperature heat the tip of the rod and the base material with the welder until the rod melts together with the base material.

How much does it cost to repair a cracked bumper?

The cost of bumper repair or replacement varies based on the extent of the damage, the repair techniques performed, and the type of vehicle you drive. Therefore, a bumper replacement can cost between $800 – $2,000, while bumper repairs can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000.

Do cracked bumpers need to be replaced?

When the damage on a vehicle's bumper is too severe, it must be taken to a body shop to be replaced. Damage like large dents, cracks and holes, and broken hooks and fasteners will require you to replace your bumper. Typically, if a vehicle is involved in a collision, the damage will be too extreme to fix.

Can plastic car bumpers be repaired?

Many plastic bumper parts can be repaired, especially bumper covers, which are commonly damaged on a vehicle. By saving your bumper, the technician will also be able to blend the appended paint more efficiently and accurately.

Will a cracked bumper fail an MOT?

For example, if your bumper is only lightly scratched or dented, it's unlikely your car will fail its MOT. But if it is detached, that will be classed as a dangerous defect and if it is insecure or has suffered damage which could cause injury when contacted, that will go down as a major fault.

How to fix a cracked bumper?

Start welding the cracked bumper - Use the soldering iron to start welding the cracked bumper. The soldering iron may take five minutes to warm up and be able to melt the plastic. Once the soldering iron is hot, we start to weld the bumper on the outside first. This way, we can line the bumper up perfectly.

How much does it cost to repair a cracked bumper?

If an auto body shop repairs your cracked bumper, expect to pay between $350 and $600. The cost to fix a cracked bumper will depend on two things. How severe the crack is. What kind of paint your car has. Car paint is so expensive nowadays. Certain metallic car paint colors are even more expensive. If the bumper needs replacement, it will cost between $1000-$1500 depending on the make and model.

Would a car with a cracked bumper fail MOT / State safety inspection?

In most states, a car that has a small bumper crack won't fail inspection. If you have a large crack over four inches or have any parts of the bu mper loose, you will most likely fail state inspection.

Can you fix a cracked bumper yourself?

On top of that, it also depends on how strict the mechanic at the inspection station is. Try to repair a cracked bumper yourself before taking it in for an inspection. The inspection station will not care if you or a body shop fixed the bumper crack or if it doesn't look perfect.

Can you remove a cracked bumper?

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 to repair the crack. Or at least partially remove it. Bumpers may seem hard to remove, but they are not. Car bumpers are held in place with several 10 mm bolts and a few push-in pins. Once you remove the screws, you can easily remove the bumper.

Can you replace a cracked bumper without replacing it?

Small bumper cracks can be easily repaired. You don't need to replace the bumper if you got a crack on the lower lip. Take your car to a body shop, and they can fix your bumper without replacing it. If your bumper is cracked in multiple places, you may want to replace the bumper.

Can you use Bondo 280 on a bumper?

If you insist, you can use a 3M Bondo 280 Epoxy Bumper Repair Syringe on the inside in combination with a mesh. On the outside, you will have to use Bondo. We still think plastic weld is easier and cheaper. But hey, it's your bumper.

The Safety Brief

Safety comes first. We want you to get this job done in one piece. This job requires some grinding, sanding, spray painting, and mixing epoxy. To ensure your skin remains unblemished and intact, you’ll want to make sure you wear gloves, safety goggles and EHS/PPE rated dust masks. On top of that, you’ll want to work in a well-ventilated area.

The Tools & Parts You Need

Don’t get stuck in the middle of a job without the parts you need. Gather everything required for the job before you start.

FAQs About Fixing a Cracked Bumper

We can’t read your mind, but we want to try to answer any questions you have before you start the job. We’ve selected common points of confusion from our experience, as well as commonly asked questions from popular search results. We answered those questions below.

Learn More From This Helpful Video Tutorial

Car Bibles editors understand that not everyone is a text-based learner. For those kinesthetic people out there, we have your back with a video showing you exactly how to fix your cracked bumper. We pulled it from one of our favorite, most trusted sources and it’s a great additional resource.

Step 1: Clean the Bumper

Examine the damaged area thoroughly using a knife or razor, gently cut any shards of plastic that may be present. The bumper can then be appropriately cleaned both inside and out. Some debris or grease will prevent the filler from bonding properly and spoil the repair’s look. So, make sure it has been cleaned properly.

Step 2: Remove the Bumper

To repair cramped bumper cover, it is advised that you remove or at least partly remove it. Several 10mm bolts and a few push-in pins hold the car bumpers in place, so you can conveniently install the bumper after removing the screws.

Step 3: Align The Bumper Cracks

Join the bumper at the crack. You may need to use a C-clamp to keep the bumper intact as you try to solder it. Make sure to align the bumper crack as precisely as possible. If required, use strong masking tape.

Step 4: Weld the Bumper Crack

Start welding the broken bumper with a soldering iron. Cracked bumper repairs can take several minutes for the soldering iron to warm up enough to melt the plastic. Begin welding the bumper on the outside first so that you will be able to line up the bumper in a precise manner.

Step 5: Sand the Bumper

For fixing a cracked bumper, flatten the bumper weld with sandpaper. At this point, the plastic seems to be unsightly. Start with 120 grit paper, then move to 220, 300, and finally to 500 grit. Fill in any spaces or bumps with a light coat of filler if necessary to preserve the initial contours.

Step 6: Paint and Wax the Bumper

Spray paint the bumper with an automobile primer. Spraying the whole bumper is not required, particularly if the lower bumper lip is cracked. Allow time for the primer to dry. Finally, use specific paint to imitate the exact color of your vehicle on the bumper. The paint code can be found by looking at the VIN sticker.

How to fix a loose bumper plate?

The recommended method of repair is to glue the insert back in place with epoxy. There’s a great trick that makes gluing easy. Check out this article with detailed instructions if you want to learn how to glue loose bumper plate inserts the easy way.

Why do weightlifting bumper plates wear out?

Heavy use from high intensity workouts can wear out the metal inserts in the center of rubber weightlifting bumper plates. Too often, the weights are dropped from overhead which loosens the inserts over time making them troublesome and frustrating to use. It doesn’t take long in a busy gym environment to end up with a stack of floppy damaged bumpers that need to be replaced.

How many screws are in a bumper repair kit?

The repair kit comprises two repair plates, six machine screws, six t-nuts, and two 1” deck screws. Repair plates sandwich the bumper plate and are secured, one on each side, by drilling through and attaching them to the rubber body mechanically.

What is a blow out bumper plate kit?

Safety glasses and disposable rubber gloves. Blown out bumper plate – The kit is intended to repair a loose center bushing. It is not intended for new bumper plates or plates with damage to areas other than the center bushing. Don’t install the kit unless the bumper plate is otherwise headed to the garbage.

Is Wodhardware bumper plate repair kit discontinued?

Update: The WodHardware bumper plate repair kit product has been discontinued. For an alternative solution to loose inserts, try the gluing method along with adopting a “no ghost riding” policy. Click here for detailed gluing instructions.

Do you have to trash bumper plates?

There’s no need to trash them just yet. Some simple temporary repairs will help delay replacement and help get some more life out of them. There are also many alternative uses for bumper plates beyond repair.

Can you weld bumper plates with anchored inserts?

Even though these temporary repair techniques will extend the life of a worn-out plate, the best solution in the long run is to buy bumper plates with anchored or hooked inserts. Fringesport and Vulcan are the top choices because they take an extra step to weld reinforcing bars onto the inserts which then become embedded in the rubber. These parts are firmly anchored into the body of the bumper plate effectively preventing the loose insert problem.

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