how to repair scratched plastic car bumpers

^{How to Repair Plastic Bumper Scratches}

1. Apply Masking Tape. Mask off areas around the damaged area that you do not want to be hit by spray paint.
2. Sand Bumper. Using firm pressure, sand the damaged area of the bumper until you have smoothed the scratches out.
3. Clean Panel. Wipe down the panel with a cleaning towel, then clean the entire area with wax and grease remover.
4. Fill Scratches. If you find any scratches that will not sand out, fill them with a thin layer of scratch-filling putty.
Scuff Repair Area. Using a grey scuff pad, scuff about 10 inches around the repair area. This will help the paint stick and be more durable over time.
Prime Bumper. Apply a thin layer of primer, wait two minutes, then apply a heavier layer of primer until you have covered any areas exposed by sanding.
Paint Bumper. Sand the primer using fine-grit sandpaper with light pressure until it feels smooth. Apply multiple coats of paint from a distance of about 10-12 inches.
Clearcoat Layer. Give the paint five minutes to dry, then apply a light layer of clearcoat. ...
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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.

How much does it cost to replace a plastic bumper?

The average cost to repair plastic bumpers ranges from approximately $150-$450. However, the cost to replace a bumper in the event of extensive damage can be anywhere between $800-$1,300. In many cases, your insurance should cover the repair. But, if your deductible is higher than the cost of repair, you should consider paying out-of-pocket.

How to repair a scratched, textured bumper?

Textured Plastic Bumper Repair

1. Clean the plastic with soap and water then 1000 Super Prep plastic cleaner. Heat the distorted area with a heat gun and press the plastic back into position.
2. Use a hot air welder and the R13 polypropylene strip to repair the crack on the backside. ...
3. Once the weld on the backside cools, hog out the plastic on the frontside using the 6122 carbide burr.

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How to fix cracked bumper, amazing repair?

What you will need

• Soldering Iron
• Custom Mix Spray Paint Can
• Sandpaper 120, 220, 500

Can you repair scratches on a plastic bumper?

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.

How do you fix a scratch on a black plastic bumper?

0:339:55How to Fix Bumper Gutter Rash - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay so the first thing I'm going to do is send this with some 80 grit dry sandpaper and a blockMoreOkay so the first thing I'm going to do is send this with some 80 grit dry sandpaper and a block just to smooth the surface out there's a lot of plastic. That's kind of coming up here.

How do you get deep scratches out of a car bumper?

1:0715:37HOW TO FIX SCRATCH ON CAR BUMPER Like a Pro - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo usually guys you can buy that pen which is amazing for scratches.MoreSo usually guys you can buy that pen which is amazing for scratches.

How do you get scratches out of plastic car exterior?

Apply a mild abrasive, such as toothpaste, furniture polish, baking soda or plastic polish to the scratch. Try our VuPlex Plastic Cleaning Kit which will also give your surface a gloss finish. Wipe a clean cloth over the paste you have added in a circular motion.

How do you get scratches out of glossy black plastic car exterior?

1:508:05How To Restore Gloss Black Plastics! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHead you attach it on there and of course you're gonna need a polish the one i like the most is aMoreHead you attach it on there and of course you're gonna need a polish the one i like the most is a finishing polish. This is the sonax perfect finish.

Does toothpaste remove scratches from plastic?

Polishing plastic with toothpaste Using toothpaste is really effective to remove small surface scratches from soft plastics on small household items like frames or storage boxes. You'll want to use a non-gel paste and if you can find one with baking soda in it, that's an added bonus.

Does T cut work on plastic bumpers?

But did you know that T-Cut is not just used to remove scratches and restore faded paintwork on cars, it can also be used around the home on painted kitchen appliances, plastic and ceramic baths, uPVC windows and doors, plastic garden furniture, caravans, boats and much much more!

How much does it cost to fix a scratch on 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 long does it take for a scratch to harden?

If you find any scratches that will not sand out, fill them with a thin layer of scratch-filling putty.#N#Give the putty five minutes for it to harden, then sand it using some coarse sandpaper.#N#You might need to repeat this step again in order to smooth everything out.

What to do if you have a damaged area that you do not want to be hit by spray paint?

Mask off areas around the damaged area that you do not want to be hit by spray paint.

How to sand primer?

Sand the primer using fine-grit sandpaper with light pressure until it feels smooth. Apply multiple coats of paint from a distance of about 10-12 inches. If you encounter any bumps, cloudiness, or what looks like "cat" scratches wait five minutes, sand again, and re-apply paint.

How long does it take for clearcoat to dry?

Give the paint five minutes to dry, then apply a light layer of clearcoat.#N#Wait two minutes and slowly apply a heavier layer, overlapping each pass by around 50%.#N#Give the clearcoat 10 minutes to dry before removing the tape and paper.

How to fix scratches on car body?

Mix up some black body filler following the product guidelines. Apply the putty to the scratch until the damage is no longer visible. Use a utility blade to remove the excess, and then wait for it to dry and cure completely before following the next step.

How do you restore a black bumper?

How you restore a black bumper depends very much on the extent of the damage.

Can toothpaste remove scratches from plastic?

You’ll be pleased to hear that you can use toothpaste to remove minor and shallow scratches from most hard plastics.

Can you polish plastic bumpers?

You can polish plastic bumpers. And the good news is that it’s easier than you might think. It just requires buying the right product for the job. Let’s lay it out for you.

How long does a bumper buff last?

That way you can be sure of getting a showroom finish that will last for at least the next 6 months.

What is the best toothpaste to use for scratches?

This is because regular toothpaste has a minor grit to it which helps to buff out the scratches. But a better toothpaste to use would be whitening toothpaste because it is more abrasive.

What happens if you call your insurance company to repair a scratch?

If you call your insurer and ask them to cover the cost, the chances are that they’ll hit you with an excess that’ s more than the value of the repair. The insurance company is also likely to increase your monthly premium.

How to fix a plastic bumper?

Fixing damaged plastic bumpers involves grinding, sanding, sculpting and painting. But it's worth the effort for repairs that would cost less than your deductible.

How to repair a bumper that has been cut?

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 . When wiping with this material, go in only one direction because going in two directions simply drags contaminants back into the repair.

How to repair a bumper with a 400 grit paper?

Once the primer has hardened, dry sand the repaired areas with 400-grit paper to level it and remove any imperfections. 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.

What are the plastic bumpers made of?

Stamps of PP (polypropylene), PPO (polyphenylene oxide) and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) indicate plastics that smear easily when ground or machine sanded. (Our Civic bumper is made of polypropylene. ) Stamps of PUR (polyurethane plastic rigid) and TPUR (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) are plastics that powder when ground or sanded.

How to mix hardener and repair adhesive?

Thoroughly mix equal amounts of hardener and repair adhesive on a piece of cardboard or paper.

What is the actual bumper?

Bumper Mechanics. Today, the actual " bumper" part of a front or rear bumper is invisible. The part of the car's structure that's used for saving the vehicle's body from damage is well hidden behind a fairly large semirigid piece of painted plastic. This plastic covering is designed to deflect and deform easily when bumped.

How long does it take to harden fascia?

Once the material has hardened (in about 20 minutes), move to the front of the fascia and remove any tape (if applied). 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.