Can a cracked bumper be repaired?

Scratches, scuffs, dents and punctures are all things that can happen to your bumper – and can all require a car bumper repair.

Whether it’s because you’ve been in a fender-bender or you’ve hit a pylon at the local shopping centre, your bumper will be the first part of your car to make contact. After all, the very name ‘bumper’ suggests they were designed to absorb impact!

But, while bumpers help reduce damage to the rest of the car, it doesn’t mean they are immune to damage themselves. Even the daily wear and tear that your bumper suffers – from tree limbs or small rocks on the road – can eventually lead to damage.

If your bumper has been taking more punishment than usual of late you may be wondering at what point it needs to be addressed – and whether it needs to be replaced or if it can be repaired.

To help, we run through the basics to help you identify the best way to fix your bumper.

If your bumper has scratches

Scratches are the most common damage your bumper can sustain – but luckily they are the easiest to fix.

Simple daily experiences can result in scratches on your bumper: brushing up against something abrasive, or scraping up against a wall. However, these can generally be buffed out with wax. If the scratches are particularly deep may require epoxy paint to restore it back to original condition.

If your bumper has dents

More substantial impact on your bumper can do more than just scratch it, it can result in dents. These require a more involved repair but usually won’t require your bumper to be replaced.

To fix this type of damage, a repairer will push on the dents and work the bumper back into its original shape – either manually or using a vacuum type device. Sometimes, to ensure the repair is seamless, this will require repainting to match the rest of the car.

If your bumper has cracks or breaks

Cracks and breaks are the most difficult types of damage to fix on a bumper. Because a bumper is designed to absorb impact, a broken or cracked bumper won’t have its structural integrity and be able to work as intended.

For this reason, bumpers with this type of damage will generally need to be replaced to ensure the safety of your vehicle.

Other factors

There are other mitigating factors that you may need to consider in deciding whether a repair or replacement is best for your vehicle’s bumper.

A key one is, of course, cost. A large dent may require a substantial amount of work to fix – being pulled out and then filled and repainted. In some cases, replacing the bumper altogether will be a cheaper and less time-consuming option. Often, this will be impacted by the location of the damage, how large it is and how invisible the paint repair will be on completion.

Another key factor is how easy a new bumper is to find. On an older car or one with parts that are no longer being made, bumpers may be harder to locate. In these circumstances, a professional bumper technician may suggest a repair over a replacement.

However, it’s important to remember – no two problems are the same, and whether your car needs a replacement bumper or a repair will depend on your specific circumstances. If your bumper is sporting some damage which you’re looking to fix, the best advice comes directly from the professionals! Contact Bumpertek today for a free, no-obligation quote on getting your bumper repaired today.