Any type of collision is bad. It’s a threat to your safety, it can cause your insurance costs to increase, and it may mean you have to pay for collision repair. As collisions go, however, a fender bender is about as low-level as you can get it. Bumper repair is also- usually- one of the cheaper types of accident repair. But that doesn’t mean it’s always cheap, and it doesn’t mean all auto body repair shops are equally good at doing it. This article explains how bumper repair works and will give you an idea of what to expect.
What affects bumper repair?
The difficulty of bumper repair depends entirely on the extent of the damage. Some auto body repair services are near universal among all vehicles, or at least the same for all vehicles of a make and model. But bumper repair, as a type of collision repair, is as difficult or easy as the damage is extensive.
Factors that affect how long it takes- and how much it costs- to repair a bumper include:
- How damaged the bumper is?
- Where the damage is?
- If the damage affects only the bumper or if the hood, trunk, or other parts of the vehicle are also damaged?
- What materials comprise the bumper?
What are bumpers made of?
Auto manufacturers often make bumpers out of a combination of materials, but they are mostly plastic. Bumpers often have a core of lightweight metal, such as aluminum or high-strength steel. This metal is key for structural support.
The metal core lies underneath the layer of plastic, or perhaps fiberglass composites. Polypropylene is a most common composite for bumpers. These more flexible materials help absorb impacts. Many—though not all—bumpers also include a foam or honeycomb structures within to provide additional impact absorption. This bumper structure prioritizes cost-effectiveness, safety, and weight reduction.
What are bumpers for?
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth reiterating what role bumpers actually play. Why are bumpers called “bumpers”? Well, have you ever driven a bumper car at an amusement park or fair? While you’re not supposed to intentionally ram other vehicles on the road, the bumper on your car plays the same role as the bumpers on those fairground rides. They absorb impacts to protect the people inside the vehicle and the vehicle itself.
Bumper repair can be expensive, but it’s generally cheaper than having to repair the more integral parts of your vehicle that the bumper protects. While collisions can obviously be dangerous, frightening, and expensive to repair, there are many things worse than a damaged bumper. The next time you see your bumper cracked or crumpled, just remind yourself that your bumper did its job; it’s supposed to look like that after a collision.
How bumper repair works
For all we’ve talked about how you’d rather need a bumper repair than a transmission repair or brake repair, it can still be a complex process. Knowing how auto body repair technicians fix bumpers and the steps they take to do so can help you learn what to expect. Bumper repair usually involves a combination of these steps:
- Assess the damage: The first step is, as it is for most accident repairs, to conduct an inspection. Technicians will look at the bumper to determine the extent of the damage. Small impacts may only require a localized dent repair and/or scratch repair. If the bumper is cracked or broken, those sections will likely require more extensive work.
- Remove the bumper: Often, technicians will remove the bumper before they repair it. Detaching the bumper allows for an easier and more thorough inspection. Removing it also makes it easier to work on both sides of the bumper.
- Clean the bumper: Technicians should clean the bumper, or at least the affected area, before moving on to the repairs. This removes any dirt, grease, or loose paint from the bumper, ensuring a strong bond for repairs.
- Sand and smooth the damaged area: Collision repair technicians will sand down rough or damaged areas to create a smooth surface. It’s important to remove any flaking or cracked paint or other debris so that the repairs hold and look good when the technicians are finished.
- Heat and reshape: Technicians often heat and reshape damaged plastic. Technicians apply heat to reshape dents or warps. Heating makes the plastic more malleable, allowing the technicians to press it back into shape.
- Repair cracks or holes: To fill cracks, technicians often use a plastic welding technique or adhesive fillers designed for bumper repairs. To restore the structural integrity of the bumper, technicians may also reinforce the area with mesh or patches.
- Sand and blend: After the filler has cured, technicians will sand the affected area again. This is key to blend the repaired section with the surrounding surface seamlessly.
- Prime and paint the bumper: After sanding, technicians must prime and paint the repaired area. This may also require automotive paint matching techniques and technology, as well as a clear coat to improve shine and durability.
- Polish and buff: To make it look as good as possible, technicians may also polish and buff the bumper to restore its original look.
- Reinstall the bumper: To finish, the technicians reattach the bumper and align it properly.
The importance of bumper repair
While the stakes are lower with bumper repair, it’s still a collision repair. You want fully qualified, skilled technicians working on your bumper just as you would for any other accident repair. It’s always a wise investment to visit a professional auto body repair shop for all your repairs, from bumper to bumper and everything in between.
