How to repair plastic bumpers?

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

How to repair plastic bumpers? - 04/20/13 05:48 PM

1993 Stealth. Was rear ended, lightly. Have two spots about 2 inches in diameter that are now out-dents from the plastic being stretched around underlying support structure. The max amount of raise is maybe 1/16th of an inch.

I'm thinking that simply sanding them flush would be very risky---might go through or make it too thin.

Is there a technique using a heat gun?

Please advise autobody gurus!

Posted By: 71sat440

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? - 04/20/13 06:04 PM

You can try a heat gun with some thick leather gloves.

Get it hot enough its pliable but don't blister the paint.

The leather gloves are so when its hot enough you can push down on the high spots and hold it while it cools.

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? - 04/20/13 06:08 PM

The paint is already trashed, so I will be repainting.
That sounds pretty simple, and much better than sanding flush.

Posted By: 71sat440

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? - 04/20/13 06:11 PM

I've done it that way several times.

You may have to repeat a few times.

Sometimes you may have to push it below flat so when it kind of springs back its flush.

Even if it doesn't take it out all the way, you'll have much less sanding and filler to do.

Posted By: 69Dartman

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? - 04/20/13 06:17 PM

When my step Dad had a shadow and got rear ended I just hit the u pullit here and we bought another bumper cover and he had it painted to match. Did the same with moms 93 tuarus but it is common enough color that I was able to find the exact same color and paint wear and it looked like it never happened when I was done. 93 Stealth might be a hard one to find and if your going to repaint it anyways might want to try the other suggestions first, then see if you can get lucky on a used one if nothing works out. On both cars the under structure was fine so as soon as it had a non damaged cover it looked fine when all mounted and lined up.

Posted By: Silver70

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? - 04/20/13 06:28 PM

I'd use a bumper epoxy like lord fusor. You'd need a gun for it, but there are others available in tubes that work good too. Scuff it, mix/apply the epoxy, sand it, prime and ready for paint.

If you need a bright red es style bumper, I got one sitting here I have no use for.

Posted By: elitecustombody

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? - 04/22/13 01:36 AM

heatgun ,blow gun or cold water should do the trick, I use screwdriver handle and trying to avoid paint damage, I wrap microfiber towel around it

Posted By: oldman

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? - 04/22/13 02:06 AM

versamid 140 and Epon 828 mixed 50/50 used with fiberglass cloth this is a flexible resin system will work well

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? Insurance update! - 04/28/13 12:40 AM

So. The insurance and autobody industries never cease to amaze me. 1993 Stealth,, rear-ended. All the shops said they had to replace the bumper cover due to a TINY mark in the textured, unpainted portion of the cover. Who am I to argue?

The real damage is two half dollar sized marks in the painted portion of the cover. I will fix it myself for about $50 in materials (I already have the paint) by respraying the lower portion of the bumper. It will be 99 percent perfect.

Other drivers insurance company (thank you Nationwide!) just sent me a check for.....
$1,438.35.
I was treated very well.

Posted By: yorker

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? Insurance update! - 04/28/13 02:15 AM

Quote:

Other drivers insurance company (thank you Nationwide!) just sent me a check for.....
$1,438.35.
I was treated very well.

When a young kid T boned my 90 Ram 7 years ago, the kid said I was somehow at fault. He had Nationwide. They intended to agree and was only going to pay about 1,200 for my truck instead of book value.

I had to sue the kids dad in small claims court. When he got served, he contacted Nationwide and told them to settle it.

I got book value, still low considering the great condition it was in and got to keep my ram without a salvage title or buying it back from them.

Posted By: JDMopar

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? Insurance update! - 04/28/13 02:26 AM

Quote:

So. The insurance and autobody industries never cease to amaze me. 1993 Stealth,, rear-ended. All the shops said they had to replace the bumper cover due to a TINY mark in the textured, unpainted portion of the cover. Who am I to argue?

The real damage is two half dollar sized marks in the painted portion of the cover. I will fix it myself for about $50 in materials (I already have the paint) by respraying the lower portion of the bumper. It will be 99 percent perfect.

Other drivers insurance company (thank you Nationwide!) just sent me a check for.....
$1,438.35.
I was treated very well.

Just be glad they didn't have State Farm! Based on my recent past experience with them after my wifes car got rearended by their insured, they are the biggest crooks in the ins. business!

Posted By: bonefish

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? Insurance update! - 04/28/13 05:22 AM

Quote:

Quote:

So. The insurance and autobody industries never cease to amaze me. 1993 Stealth,, rear-ended. All the shops said they had to replace the bumper cover due to a TINY mark in the textured, unpainted portion of the cover. Who am I to argue?

The real damage is two half dollar sized marks in the painted portion of the cover. I will fix it myself for about $50 in materials (I already have the paint) by respraying the lower portion of the bumper. It will be 99 percent perfect.

Other drivers insurance company (thank you Nationwide!) just sent me a check for.....
$1,438.35.
I was treated very well.

Just be glad they didn't have State Farm! Based on my recent past experience with them after my wifes car got rearended by their insured, they are the biggest crooks in the ins. business!

I,LL SECOND THAT.!!!!!

Posted By: Grizzly

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? Insurance update! - 04/28/13 05:57 AM

Quote:

I will fix it myself for about $50 in materials (I already have the paint) by respraying the lower portion of the bumper. It will be 99 percent perfect.

Other drivers insurance company (thank you Nationwide!) just sent me a check for.....
$1,438.35.
I was treated very well.

I like how you think. Nicely done.

Posted By: ahy

Re: How to repair plastic bumpers? Insurance update! - 04/28/13 02:37 PM

I used the 2 part bumper urethane and fiberglass cloth to repair 2" hole and two tears in a Neon bumper (daughter's car). It came out fine for a DD. It has held up fine also.

After I was done, I looked up cost of a replacement cover at WW Sherman. It was $70 or something like that. Counting the hours spent repairing, smoothing and priming, I would have been ahead to get the new cover. Worth checking what a repop costs for your model.