Cars have bumpers both in front and the back because these structures absorb shock in a collision and minimize damage to the rest of the vehicle. Unfortunately, this also means that car bumper repair is often the first fix needed after a fender bender. Modern automobile car bumpers are made of reinforced steel bars with plastic covers and the flexible covers help reduce injuries inside your car as well as for pedestrians if they happen to be hit by a vehicle. Car crashes caused an estimated 38,800 deaths in 2019. Thus, every precaution helps, and your bumpers must be cared for properly by a qualified auto body technician.
Types of Car Bumpers
Car bumpers have evolved a lot since they were first put on vehicles in the 1900s. Back then, it was just a simple metal bar. Many car owners considered bumpers an optional accessory. Over time, bumper designs became more elaborate and have gained popularity. Today, there are about two main types of car bumpers you can have: plastic bumpers and steel bumpers. Steel bumpers are largely found on trucks, not all, however, all cars are plastic covers.
Urethane bumpers are the most common bumper design, typically running fender to fender and hood down. Today’s bumpers consist of a plastic cover, which does have some impact-absorbing qualities. Some covers are not allowed to be repaired due to today’s radars and distance sensors. Believe it or not but on some Nissans and Volkswagens if the bumper is scratched, auto body technicians are not allowed to repair them, they must be replaced.
Bumpers that are cracked ripped or torn should always be replaced and do not qualify for car bumper repair. Under the cover is an impact absorber which is normally made of Styrofoam and sometimes plastic. Its job is to absorb the impact and prevent minor impacts from damaging the reinforcement bar. They can be repaired but they often inexpensive enough that it is more cost-effective to replace them.
Next in line is the reinforcement bar i.e. the real “bumper.” The rebar is made of high strength steel and sometimes ultra-high-strength steel. This is designed to take the brunt of the impact and prevent damage from the frame rails. Rebar is not allowed to be repaired, ever. Beyond that is the structural parts of the vehicle to further prevent the impact from entering the passenger compartment.
Now there are a few unique bumpers that fall outside of the normal plastic or steel bumper range. There are roll pan bumpers that are normally on the rear end of older trucks but this has largely gone out of style for modern vehicles. Some roll pan bumpers were made of fiberglass and were cost-effective back in the day but most were made out of steel and were welded directly to the bedsides.
Lastly, there is also a tube bumper, or nerf bar, that is can be an aftermarket add on. Some Jeep Wranglers have this style of bumper but they are far and few between and these types of bumpers can also be found on cop cars.
Common Bumper Damages
Even the smallest fender benders usually result in some damage to the bumper. If left unrepaired, it puts the occupants of the car at greater risk during a collision. Typically, all impacts on the bumper have hidden damage of some sort. For instance, the plastic or urethane portion of the bumper may not show damage as the can have the tendency to pop back or reshape due to heat but even if it’s not visible, there is damage underneath the impact bar. The following are the common types of bumper damages you should get repaired.
Scratches and Scuffs
Scratches are often typical damage that occurs to bumpers. It can be caused by turning too soon, going over a curb, or a scrape by a shopping cart. It is one of the most commonly sought-after car bumper repair. The good news is that bumper and car scratch repair is relatively easier to fix. A little sanding, cleaning, and smoothing should do the trick.
Dents
Dents are more severe as compared to scratches and scrapes. Dents are mostly caused by backing into something or pulling too far forward. They can also happen from being rear-ended in traffic. Most dents can be reshaped using heat and should never be filled with plastic filler or any other material other than primer when the bumper is being prepared for a new coat of paint. If you are dealing with a dent in the bumper, it is a good idea to have the bumper removed and inspected for other likely damage underneath the bumper where the impact occurred.
Tears and Cracks
Bumper tears occur when you hit something sharp. In most cases, it's not as bad as it looks. On the downside, tears are one of the trickiest car bumper repairs because they should not be repaired. If you are dealing with a torn, ripped, or cracked bumper, you will need to have the bumper replaced.
What to Expect During a Car Bumper Repair at Will’s Auto Body, Inc.
From the minute you contact us, our team works tirelessly to finish your car bumper repair in the shortest time possible. You can visit our shop during business hours and get your car fixed. Alternatively, you can book an appointment on our website that best suits your schedule.
1. Free Bumper Repair Estimate
You can take advantage of our online photo estimator to get a quote of how much your car bumper repair will cost. All you need to do is take a photo of the damaged area with your phone and upload it to the estimation tool with some basic contact information and our team will respond quickly with a fair quote.
2. Repair Status
We will keep you in the loop the entire time we are repairing your car. To access this feature, visit our “Check Repair Status” page and enter the phone number you provided when you came to the auto shop. You will be able to get live updates via text or email. We also upload photos of the progress so you can see the transformation.
3. Pickup and Delivery
The moment we are done with your car bumper repair, we will notify you. You are free to pick up the car within our normal business hours or if you are busy, we provide pickup and delivery services. Our team will deliver your repaired car right to your doorstep. We will also disinfect your vehicle as well as take all other health precautions necessary during COVID-19.
Car Bumper Repair Process
Our car bumper repair process depends on the type and extent of the damage your bumper has endured. Dents, cracks, and tears require more work than a simple scrape.
Identifying the Material
All car bumper repairs begin by assessing the damage. A vital part of the assessment is identifying the type of plastic material. Generally, most damage to the bumper is sustained by the plastic cover but not all plastics are the same. They can either be thermosetting or thermoplastics. The difference is how the parts behave when reheated. In most cases, symbols indicating the type of plastic are found on the back of the part. At our auto body shop in Concord, we order and use the proper materials that will make your vehicle like new.
Cleaning
Just like patching up a wound, car bumper repair begins with cleaning the damaged area. Whether it's a scratch or dent, chances are there is debris, paint, and even dirt trapped in the area. Cleaning is done using a water-based cleanser to remove soluble contaminants. After drying, the part is once again cleaned using a grease remover and left to dry.
Alignment
If you need a bumper replaced completely then it will need to be realigned to adequately fit your vehicle. If you are having your bumper repaired, unless there other damage to your vehicle, you will not need it to be realigned, it should still sit correctly for the structure of your vehicle.
Sanding
The damaged part of the bumper might be clean and aligned, but it's still a ways from being fully fixed. What remains is restoring the paint and smoothness. The first step is sanding. This step in car bumper repair helps prevent adhesion failure later on. Once the bumper is sanded thoroughly, it will be cleaned and is ready for painting.
Priming, Color Matching, and Painting
The damaged area might be fixed, but it needs to match the rest of the car. After smoothing the site, all that is left is to paint over the damaged area. Priming is first done to provide a consistent base for the topcoat. The surrounding area is covered to prevent the primer and paint from spreading to unaffected areas. It also helps minimize the repair area. Each toner's exact measurements are obtained from the color code, usually at the door jam, and used to match the car's color perfectly. Want to learn more about the painting process? Read our blog and learn why we are the best auto body paint shop in Concord.
Get First-Class Car Bumper Repair Service Today
Hopefully, you now know where to turn to the next time you need bumper repair. We are the best auto body shop in Concord, California, for a reason. Our dedicated team will take care of everything, including dealing with insurance. Don't let a damaged bumper ruin your day. Contact us today for fast and lasting car bumper repair.