Is it possible to repair a bumper with a crack? Repair of plastic bumpers

It is easy to guess that the bumper with high degree chances are it can be damaged if the car is used quite intensively and even with very careful use.

The bumper can be damaged not only due to lack of driving experience, but for reasons such as:

• actions of other careless and inexperienced drivers;
• the flight of small stones from the movement of others Vehicle.

Regardless of the cause and nature of the damage, the appearance of the vehicle after a bumper breakdown is significantly worse. The car owner automatically has a desire to solve such a problem by repairing the bumper with his own hands.

Methods for eliminating the problem and mechanical damage directly depend on what kind of defect was applied to the car part. Among the most basic types of damage are the following.

1. Scratches, which can be superficial and deep, that is, reaching the ground or the main layer of the part. This damage must be repaired immediately, as cracks may subsequently appear at the site of the scratch.
2. Cracks– this is a more serious damage to a car part, which is classified as dangerous. It is not recommended to operate the machine without eliminating it.
3. – are formed through strong mechanical impact on the bumper. These injuries are very often accompanied by other unfavorable manifestations. Scratches and cracks almost always appear next to dents.
4. Chips and breakdowns. These are special through damages that have quite large area. They most often appear along the edges of the bumper after a car collides with a certain obstacle.

Of course, you can contact any service center, but in this case the cost of restoring the bumper, even with minor damage, becomes significantly higher than the cost. Of all the options listed above, self-repair will be the optimal and affordable method of bumper restoration.

Common Bumper Repair Methods

Directly depending on the degree of damage, repair work aimed at restoring the bumper can be divided into local and complex. Various scratches and small chips on the surface paint coating can be eliminated without first dismantling the part.

If the bumper has received sufficiently serious damage, it will definitely need to be dismantled.

You need to work with this element in such a way that access to the external and internal surfaces of the element is provided. Installation of the part in its original place is carried out after the required repair and restoration work has been completed.

Materials, equipment and facilities

When carrying out a process such as self-repair of a plastic bumper, you will need to prepare special tools and materials. Among the most basic of them are the following.

1. Special hair dryer for vehicles. This accessory is used for drying applied compounds. Unlike a conventional device used to dry hair, it produces hotter air, which, if necessary, can not only dry, but also melt the plastic.
2. Soldering iron. Any device is suitable here, even one intended for use at home. If possible, it is better to buy or rent a more powerful device.
3. Metal grid. The material is necessary for high-quality and durable fastening of individual parts of plastic. If it is not possible to purchase a mesh, you can use material from a previously used and no longer needed air filter.
4. . This is a special composition that is sold in ordinary cylinders. It is advisable to ensure that you have a special compressor or gun for convenient application of the primer.
5. Putty. This product is necessary to eliminate cracks of different sizes and depths. You need to know that the composition can only be used in places hidden from outsiders.
6. Sandpaper. Required for grouting the applied putty during implementation final stage repair work. To work with the bumper, it is better to purchase sandpaper No. 800.
7. Rags– it will be needed to wash the bumper and to treat the surface with a hairdryer, preventing the risk of burns from the flow of hot air.

When preparing tools and equipment for bumper repair, you need to take care of your protection. It is worth purchasing a special respirator mask, safety glasses and gloves.

Well-thought-out protection will allow you to comprehensively protect your respiratory organs, eyes and hands from exposure. This automatically guarantees that the body will not be harmed by spraying. harmful substances in the air and from high temperatures.

Along with the acquisition necessary materials and tools, during the preparation process you need to carry out certain work on the bumper itself. Among the most important points are:

1. Removing the bumper from the car body.
2. Thoroughly clean the part from dirt and dust. The surface must be dry and clean.
3. Determining the material from which the bumper is made.
4. In areas where bumper tests will be carried out restoration work, it is necessary to remove the applied paint. It is necessary to thoroughly clean and degrease not only the damaged area itself, but also the surrounding area.
5. Before repairs, the crack must be drilled with small through holes at the ends. This will avoid the subsequent spread of the damage and its increase in size.
6. Any crack has special joining edges. Therefore, before the crack is repaired, the joints will need to be filled with a special composite.

After completing all the above processes and manipulations, you can begin repairing the bumper yourself.

Possible methods of repairing damage

The scheme according to which the repair of plastic bumpers will be carried out depends directly on the degree and level of damage. The following recovery techniques may be applicable:

1. Gluing– used for parts produced by cold molding. A special polyurethane-based adhesive is used here.
2. Thermal welding– suitable for bumpers that were made by hot molding. The bumper fragments are connected using special welding equipment.
3. Lamination– the method is suitable for restoring lost fragments with similar ones. A special reinforcing mesh and putty are used here.
4. Using flat electrodes. The technique is based on the use of special construction hair dryer, which melts the electrodes and effectively seals cracks.
5. Soldering – best option for repairing bumpers in normal home conditions. You will need to use a soldering iron, sandpaper and paint.
6. – Suitable for repairing large cracks. The process is based on the use of double-sided soldering and simultaneous reinforcement with special staples or metal mesh.
7. Tape– cracks are repaired using fiberglass and epoxy glue. The restoration material is applied to the glue and strictly on both sides of the bumper.

Below is a description of the most common and labor-intensive methods for restoring a car bumper, depending on the damage caused.

Putty

The previously prepared putty must be prepared according to all the rules of the instructions, and a special hardener must be added. After this, the resulting mass is applied to the area of ​​the bumper where the damage is located. You need to wait about 10 minutes, take sandpaper No. 80 and use special circular movements to grout the composition. The result becomes visible after several manipulations.

When grouting, you should try to carefully observe the overall geometry of the bumper. To ensure optimal proportionality, it is advisable to apply several layers of putty at once. Each previous one must be cleaned very carefully.

Priming work is no less simple. You need to take the prepared rags and rinse the bumper very well. Once the surface is dry, you need to inspect the entire bumper for correct shape. If there are no dents, you can start priming. This process is carried out according to the following rules:

1. The primer must be applied in a circular motion towards the left or right side element.
2. The composition must be allowed to dry completely.
3. After this, take sandpaper No. 800 and rub everything down thoroughly.
4. Using a regular water bottle, you need to wash the bumper. It doesn’t matter where the crack or other damage occurs, the bumper must be washed completely. As soon as one layer is completely dry, the plastic automatically takes on a matte finish. The top soil is then completely washed away.
5. Only after this can a second layer of primer be applied.

Once all the applied layers have dried, you will need to carefully inspect the part using a lamp. The layers should be completely even and form one whole together.

Painting

If, after examining the part, it becomes clear that all coatings have been applied as efficiently and evenly as possible, you can proceed to a process such as painting. The room must be prepared, all surfaces that need to be protected from the paint used are covered. The pigment is applied strictly in two or three layers. Drying time between each coat should be between 5 and 10 minutes.

If, during the inspection of the surface between applying layers, particles of debris or dust are found, you need to wait until the paint layer has completely dried and remove them with a special interlayer cloth.

After applying the required paint coating, two layers of varnish are applied to the surface of the bumper. Intermediate drying is also important here. At the end painting works You need to check the quality of the applied compounds again; if smudges are detected, you need to lightly grind and thoroughly polish the surface.

You may also be interested in an article from our specialist that talks about how to carry out.

Features of repair of certain types of damage

In the process of restoring the integrity and appearance of the bumper, the work to be done will depend on the type of damage found. This important point, since one option is used for scratches and chips, a completely different method is required to remove the dent.

If you need to carry out repairs yourself, or the insurance is not valid, or you do not have the means or desire to contact a service center, you will need to carefully study the nature of the damage. If the driver realizes that the bumper is very damaged, you should not try to restore the part on your own, but it is better to purchase a new one. If relatively small chips or dents are detected, the problem can be eliminated independently, knowing how to act in a particular case. So, how can you quickly and effectively repair scratches, dents and cracks?

Scratches

This problem can be eliminated by using sandpaper. Material No. 50 is taken and grouting is carried out. In this case, it is necessary to carefully eliminate all irregularities, acting until the surface becomes completely smooth. correct form. In progress this process The damage may become slightly larger in size, but its depth will become significantly less. Don’t be afraid of this; after thorough cleaning, all uneven areas will be filled with putty.

If you have the desire and certain skills, then instead of putty you can use a special liquid plastic that fully matches the type of material from which the plastic is made. After applying this composition, after it has completely dried, you will also need to clean the surface and thoroughly sand it, sanding it to the most even surface.

To remove a minor dent that has not damaged the paintwork, you simply need to heat the deformed part of the bumper. The concave part of the plastic must be heated with previously prepared heat or technical hairdryer until the material becomes soft enough. After this, the dent is manually straightened, simultaneously giving the damaged area of ​​the bumper the correct geometric shape.

Cracks and chips

If cracks appear on the surface of the bumper, you will need to use previously prepared metal mesh and a soldering iron. The sequence of actions in this case will be as follows:

1. The edges of the damage must be brought together and soldered to one side of the mesh. It is advisable to bury it as deeply as possible in the plastic, but you should not overdo it, as a hole may form.
2. The end of the mesh is covered with molten plastic.
3. In a similar way, you need to walk along the entire crack.

If the damage to the bumper is minor, you can use special construction staples instead of a mesh. When soldering them, it is recommended to use tweezers, which will prevent burns to your hands. Bonding actions should be spaced 2 cm apart and along the entire length of the crack.

Even if the cracks are not very visible, they still need to be carefully soldered. Neglecting this advice can lead to the appearance of various faults on the bumper.

To prevent the mesh and metal brackets from rusting after some time, the items must be covered with special liquid plastic. Upon completion of all work carried out on the inner surface of the bumper, its front side immediately acquires its original appearance.

conclusions

The question of how to restore and repair a car bumper with your own hands is relevant for all modern car enthusiasts without exception. If you follow the instructions and tips presented in the article, you can eliminate damage to the bumper with minimal money and time spent.

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The bumper is a car safety element that also has aesthetic functions, improving appearance. In accidents or collisions, the part absorbs the force of the impact, protecting the body and passengers. Damage also occurs in other situations - when parking, maneuvering.

The cost of subsequent restoration is determined by the extent of the damage. But knowing how to repair a plastic bumper yourself, it’s easy to cut costs and not leave your car for service.

The work begins with inspecting the damaged bumper, assessing the defects and the feasibility of restoration. If the damage is accompanied by the loss of pieces, the procedure becomes more complicated - you need to select the same material to repair the hole or order a new bumper.

The repair technology is determined by the existing defects:

1. Scratches and chips that do not affect the plastic can be removed by sanding, puttying and subsequent painting.
2. Deformations are common damages, often accompanied by cracks. To restore the geometry, the part is heated with a hairdryer, or a torch will do. Heating the plastic makes it soft and pliable. Then it is easy to give the element the desired shape. The result is fixed until it cools completely. Do not overheat the fragment. This is accompanied by thermal deformation.
3. Cracks are common damage that requires soldering. Depending on the size of the crack and its location, strengthening, reinforcement, or tightening may be required to prevent further divergence.
4. Holes are defects that occur when hitting an obstacle or as a result of a collision with the rear of another car. Occurs as a result of exposure to a muffler. DIY repair involves soldering and reinforcement. The procedure is possible if there is a missing element. If selection of material is required, the markings on the inside of the bumper are first examined.

At the right approach It’s easy to eliminate damage; the main thing is to follow the sequence of steps, technology, and prepare the place for work.

If there is just a dent on the bumper, then you can use this kit.

Soldering – effective method eliminating cracks and holes in plastic bumpers. When thinking about how to solder the bumper yourself, it is better to carry out manipulations from the front side. It is important to solder on desired depth.

When working from the inside, it is easy to make mistakes. Then the putty and paint layer will soon crack.

Preparatory steps:

1. The bumper is dismantled or undamaged elements of the car are protected.
2. The table is being prepared workplace. If the part is turned over to the front side, the surface is covered soft cloth.
3. The paint is removed at a distance of 1 cm from the edges of the defect.

Bumper soldering options:

1. The soldering iron heats up, after which notches are made on each edge of the crack. The tool is recessed to half the thickness of the element and held at an angle of 45 degrees. A comb appears at the edges. Next, the soldering iron tip is drawn along the crack, smoothing it out. The edges are securely connected.
2. Using staples from a stapler allows you to get reliable connection, if the material is thin. The staples, in increments of 3–5 mm, are fused into the plastic, the ends are bent with inside. They shouldn't stick out.
3. Copper and ordinary wire, as solder, allows you to reliably fasten the elements. This requires skills and experience. Small holes are needed to thread the wire through. The further scheme of work does not differ from the use of staples. For minor damage, no holes are made.
4. Plastic solder helps create a strong plane. It is supposed to be restored by adding plastic at the damage site. It is important to choose the right solder.

Soldering is the most effective method. But to prevent the crack from appearing again, the damage site is reinforced. In further processing, fiberglass, epoxy, rubber glue. Over time, materials move away without compromising the integrity of the structure. Therefore, they are applied from the inside.

In the area of ​​damage:

• paint is cleaned;
• the plane is degreased;
• glue is applied;
• mesh and wire are applied;
• A layer of fiberglass and glue alternates, which will be the final one.

Regardless of the choice of soldering and reinforcement method, the process is completed by grinding the cooled surface and puttingty until a smooth plane is obtained.

Eliminating defects is only part of the job. For full recovery you need to know how to properly bump a car. The process begins with preparation.

If the part has been soldered, the work area must be thoroughly sanded, as in the case of scratches.

Putty is carried out in several stages:

• a special putty is applied to work on the plastic plane;
• the height is gained so that the putty protrudes slightly;
• the area is sanded until all irregularities are eliminated, which can be checked by touch;

The procedures are repeated until an ideal plane is obtained. When doing the preparation yourself, it is better to choose fine sandpaper.

The next step is degreasing. The primer is applied twice, ensuring each layer dries.

The moment of preparation involves not only processing the surface of the element.

Premises:

• the place where the work will be carried out must be cleaned, wet cleaning, remove dust;
• The walls, ceiling and flooring are cleaned.

Automobile:

• it is better to dismantle the bumper, which will ensure a high-quality application of the paint layer;
• If dismantling is excluded, the car is covered with film.

Selection of paint:

• the best option– by VIN code, then the color match is guaranteed;
• computer selection is also effective, but some differences cannot be excluded.

Application of paint, preparation of materials:

• the amount of paint, its composition, method of application determines the quality of coloring, the final shade, consumption;
• The spray gun needs to be set up correctly and make sure that the pigment is supplied normally (if an aerosol is not used).

Secrets of painting technology

Properly painting a bumper is a simple procedure, provided proper preparation is done. You must use a mask while working. The amount of materials and time required for painting is determined by the scope of work.

Types of painting:

1. Local painting is suitable for inconspicuous areas, lower elements, when the damage is minor or scratches on the bumper need to be painted. It is assumed that paint will be applied to a specific area.
2. Full bumper painting is used for damage in noticeable places.

The painting process includes the following steps:

1. Blowing, degreasing.
2. Testing paint on parts, applying a small amount.
3. The first layer is made thin - this is the base. Dries in 5 – 10 minutes.
4. Apply 2 layers of paint with drying intervals of 15–20 minutes.
5. If dust gets on the part between layers, special interlayer wipes are used to remove contaminants.
6. The final stage is applying 2 layers of varnish and drying.

With unhurried preparation, careful application of pigment and varnish, there are no unevenness or drips. But if defects appear, you need to wait until the element has completely dried, and then sand and polish these places.

Having broken a plastic bumper on a VAZ car, the owner can relatively inexpensively purchase and install a new one, painted in suitable color. Owners of foreign cars are not so lucky; plastic body kits for their cars are much more expensive. The solution is to repair the damaged part by repairing the crack with your own hands in order to save money. It is also useful for owners of Russian cars to know about methods for restoring broken plastic, so as not to buy a new element due to small cracks.

Methods for sealing cracks

Depending on the magnitude of the damage and the type of plastic, following methods cracked bumpers:

• cosmetic bonding using acetone and donor plastic;
• sealing with modern chemical compounds;
• fastening with epoxy resin using fiberglass reinforcing mesh;
• sealing the crack with a soldering iron reinforced with metal mesh;
• welding using a hot air gun and a plastic rod.

Reference. There is one simple method used by car enthusiasts who are not too concerned about appearance cars. This is connecting the edges of a crack with wire or staples. This is a simple matter, so consider this technology it makes no sense, everything is clear.

The use of acetone for bonding, which can dissolve many types of plastics, is a temporary measure used to small cracks appeared in the middle of the body kit. The gist of it is this:

1. Pieces of plastic similar in composition to the bumper material are selected and dissolved in acetone to a thick consistency.
2. WITH back side The bumper crack is degreased and also treated with acetone to soften the surface.
3. Liquefied plastic is applied to the damage with reverse side, after which it hardens for several hours. The outside of the defect can be touched up with a corrector tube.

With the help of thick two-component compositions, sold in two tubes, seals any single cracks in most types of plastic. The exception is fiberglass body kits, they are glued together epoxy resin, and in case of serious damage, reinforcement with fiberglass mesh is used.

With numerous large cracks, breaks and holes in the bumper, gluing methods become ineffective. In such cases, soldering or welding with a hot air gun using donor material is practiced. polymer material. After such repairs, the defect area is thoroughly cleaned and painted in the color of the car. At the end, it is necessary to completely polish the bumper so that the painted area does not stand out against the background of the old coating.

Advice. If you get into an accident or collide with a stationary obstacle and break the body kit, try to collect all the flying pieces, except for the smallest ones. This will allow you to use “original” plastic for repairs and not look for something similar.

The preparatory process is little different for in various ways gluing and welding of polymer parts, so it is worth considering separately. The first question is whether it is necessary to remove the bumper to make repairs. In most cases, dismantling is not possible, since the plastic must be sealed on both sides. The exception is broken body kits, cracked in many places. They must first be fastened together and then removed. Otherwise, after repair, the part may lose its shape, causing the attachment points to not meet, and the gaps with adjacent elements will increase.

Reference. Often the bumper body comes off at the attachment points and small pieces of plastic remain on the screws. Before dismantling, such a part is securely welded to the torn fastener and only then removed.

To prepare a damaged body kit for repair, you need the following tools and materials:

• a set of keys and screwdrivers for removing the element;
• electric grinder;
• sandpaper of different grain sizes - from P180 to P320;
• degreasing liquid - organic solvent or white spirit;
• rags.

Note. By using grinding machine You can perform cleaning better and much faster than manually. This and other power tools that will be needed for painting and polishing can be rented for 2-3 days.

Regardless of whether the work is carried out directly on the car or with the bumper removed, it must be thoroughly washed and dried. Then, using coarse sandpaper, you need to peel off the paint at a distance of 3-5 cm from the crack in each direction and sand the area with fine sandpaper. sandpaper. Whatever repair method you choose, the paint must be removed to the base, otherwise it will interfere with the adhesion of the glue or the fusion of polymers during welding. Finally, the area should be degreased.

Advice. The quality of body kit repair depends on the conditions in which it is performed. It is more convenient to repair damage in a garage equipped with an inspection ditch for easy removal of the part and soldering of the fallen fasteners in place.

Two-component bonding

For implementation this method You need to purchase the following bumper repair kit from the 3M brand:

• 2 FPRM components for preparing liquid polymer in 150 ml tubes (price - about 2500 rubles);
• special hard tape;
• self-adhesive reinforcing mesh made of fiberglass (otherwise known as fiberglass) 48 mm wide;
• adhesion initiator in an aerosol can;
• 2 spatulas - wide and narrow;
• stationery knife;
• gloves, safety glasses.

Reference. Similar sets are offered by other manufacturers, but the 3M brand is the most well-known and proven in practice.

Bonding with liquid polymer is suitable for most plastics and can be performed both with the body kit removed and on the car. True, the second option is quite inconvenient, plus you will need good lighting V inspection hole. To cut a crack, you will need an electric drill (not a grinder!) with a mandrel for abrasive wheels. Repair consists of the following technological operations:

1. Using a drill at low speed and an abrasive wheel, chamfer the edges of the crack on both sides at an angle of about 30°. In cross section it looks something like this: “><».
2. Degrease the area and allow time for the solvent to evaporate completely. On the front side of the bumper, where the paint has already been cleaned off at the preparatory stage, stick tape along the entire crack. It will serve as a kind of formwork when pouring a two-component solution.
3. Treat the damaged area on the back side of the body kit with an adhesion initiator from a bottle, then apply a self-adhesive glass canvas over the split.
4. Mix the components from the tubes in a 1:1 ratio using a spatula. Apply the liquid polymer to the mesh in several thin layers to prevent air pockets from forming. Apply the mixture until it completely covers the fiberglass.
5. After laying the compound, give it 30 minutes to cure, then remove the tape from the front side and repeat the sealing operation (but without the mesh).
6. After hardening, sand the area using alternately P180, P240 and P400 sandpaper. At this point, the plastic repair is complete and you can begin painting.

Important! After mixing the components, the composition must be used within 6 minutes, which is enough to apply to the damage on one side. The curing time of 30 minutes is correct for a room temperature of 21-23°C, so when working in a cold room, it is necessary to organize local heating of the bumper (for example, with an infrared heater).

If unevenness is noticeable on the front side of the element, then before painting, apply a little putty intended for plastic to the differences. After drying, sand it with P1500 sandpaper, degrease it and spray paint it, after applying a layer of primer. After 1 day, polish the surface of the body kit.

Sealing with liquid polymer - photo

After cutting, manual cleaning of the crack is required. The inside of the body kit must also be sanded. Cutting the edges of the crack at an angle. Adhesive tape is glued to the front side. Glass canvas is glued to the inside. From the end you can see how the tape limits the flow of the composition outward when applying 2 components are squeezed out onto a spatula in the same amount. Mixing the components with a spatula. The composition is rubbed into the crack and the mesh with a spatula. After hardening and removing the tape, the sealed joint is cleaned. This is what a sealed crack in plastic looks like

Video instructions for using 3M composition

Repair with fiberglass

The technology is used to eliminate damage to body kits made of fiberglass, since the previous method will not work in this case. What you will need for work:

• fiberglass for bumper repairs;
• polyester (epoxy) resin complete with hardener;
• soft brush;
• stationery knife or scissors;
• latex gloves.

Advice. If a bulge or depression has formed at the site of the impact, then immediately after cleaning, level it using a hair dryer to heat it.

Since fiberglass patches will have to be applied on both sides of the damaged area, it is better to remove the bumper from the car. After completing all the preparatory work, including stripping paint and degreasing, proceed in the following sequence:

1. Using a grinder with coarse sandpaper (P80-P120), make a recess in the body of the bumper from the front side, covering a radius of 3-5 cm from the crack. This is necessary so that the fiberglass overlay does not ultimately protrude beyond the plane of the part.
2. On the back side, sand with coarse sandpaper, but without deepening. Degrease the area and let it dry.
3. Cut out patches from fiberglass. On the front part you need to make a neat patch that follows the shape of the recess, and on the back you can glue a rectangular overlay.
4. Mix the resin and hardener in the proportions indicated on the package. Apply the composition with a brush to the surface, apply a patch (several layers are possible) and saturate it with resin.
5. Carefully observe the time specified for curing the epoxy composition (written on the resin container), and then thoroughly clean the repair area with fine sandpaper. The task is to level the surface by removing protrusions.

Note. Initially, coarse sandpaper is used to create a roughness on the surface of the plastic that promotes better adhesion of the polyester adhesive.

At this point, the work on repairing the plastic itself is completed; then cleaning, priming and painting are carried out using standard technology. The last operation is polishing the bumper; it is necessary to give the element a uniform shine.

Photo of fiberglass body kit repair

Video about sealing defects with fiberglass

Soldering large bumper damage

Numerous cracks, breaks and torn bumper elements can be repaired using thermal methods, in particular soldering. To complete this painstaking work, a small set of tools and materials is required:

• soldering iron with a power of at least 100 W with a wide tip and a wooden handle;
• thin metal mesh, specially designed for thermal bonding of plastic parts;
• knife, wire cutters for processing broken segments;
• screw clamp;
• sandpaper with fine and coarse grains for cleaning seams.

Note. The process of soldering serious defects can take hours. During this time, the plastic handle of the soldering iron will warm up so much that it will become difficult to hold the tool with your hand.

In preparation for soldering, paint must be removed to the base not only from cracks, but also from torn pieces of the bumper. Moreover, in this case, the body kit is not removed from the car until all the breaks are fastened and fixed by soldering, otherwise the element will lose its exact shape.

The soldering technology is implemented in the following sequence:

1. After stripping, wipe the area with degreaser and let it evaporate.
2. Align the edges of the cracks and, if necessary, secure them in this position with clamps.
3. Using a heated soldering iron, make tacks along the length of all cracks. For high-quality heating, the tip must be immersed in the plastic to a depth equal to half the thickness of the material, and then level the surface of the molten plastic. The distance between the tacks is 1.5-2 cm.
4. When tacks have been made on all the cracks, you need to put the broken piece back in place. Fit it to the hole and trim it if necessary so that it fits flush with the surface into the hole.
5. Solder the torn segment using tacks, then repeat the operation from the inside. After which the bumper can be carefully removed from the car and work can continue in more comfortable conditions, although this is not necessary, depending on your convenience.
6. Perform continuous soldering of all joints on both sides of the body kit. To prevent adjacent tacks from moving apart due to heating, the seam must be soldered with gaps. That is, first the first section between the tacks is welded, then the third, fifth, seventh, and so on. When finished, go back and solder all remaining sections.
7. Cut the mesh into pieces 2-4 cm in length. They need to be soldered across the seam in the most intense places - along the edges of cracks, in the middle, at the junction and near the stiffeners. The technology is simple: a steel mesh is placed on the seam and, heated by a soldering iron, immersed in the polymer base of the bumper. At the end, the softened plastic over the mesh needs to be smoothed out.

Important! When soldering the edges of the plastic, you need to hold it motionless and give it time to harden. If you release the part ahead of time, the seam will come apart.

At the end of the soldering procedure, sand the surface of the element, then degrease and paint it in the required color. During further operation, be more careful, since a strong impact may cause the bumper to shatter into pieces, tearing in the same places. To fasten it more firmly, you should use another method - welding with donor plastic.

Photo instructions for soldering the bumper

All joints are carefully cleaned of paint. Fixing the crack with tacks. The fracture is now held on by tacks. The broken piece is clearly adjusted to fit the opening. The fragment is also secured with tacks. All seams are fixed at several points. Fully soldered joints. All soldering operations are repeated from the inside of the bumper.

How to properly solder the front body kit - video

Welding with a hot air gun

This is a more effective way of joining polymer parts, used not only for repairing bumpers, but also for restoring a variety of plastic products. It allows you to more reliably fasten elements, spending much less time on work than with soldering. To use this technology, you need to prepare the same tools with materials as for soldering, excluding the metal mesh. In addition, it will be needed for repairs.

The car bumper is used to prevent serious damage to the body, engine, radiator, and lighting devices. It itself is often subjected to smaller impacts, after which chips, scuffs, and cracks remain on it. How should you repair your car yourself if cracks appear on your car bumper?

Plastic bumpers

Every car, truck or car, is required to be equipped with front and rear bumpers. At the dawn of the automobile industry, these were massive steel structures that protected the important mechanisms of the car from damage when hitting obstacles. Over time, they became more and more elegant and thin. In modern cars these are beautiful plastic products.

The bumper is painted to match the color of the car. In addition to protective functions, it also performs design functions, masking the internal beams and covering the frame of the car. Often, various lighting elements, antennas, shock sensors, parking sensors, and softening decorative overlays are installed on it. When driving in a field, forest, or on gravel, flying stones and branches cause deep scratches, dents, and cracks to appear on the front and rear bumpers. It needs to be replaced or repaired at home.

Unlike metal products, plastic ones are easy to repair with your own hands. Minor repairs to scratches and paint chips are carried out using a paint pencil or touch-up from a spray can. Repairing cracks in the body of a part is more difficult, but if you have the necessary tools, you can restore it yourself without significant expense.

Preparation

To carry out a complete repair of a plastic bumper with your own hands, you need a gas burner with a set of working attachments. During the work you will additionally need: a holder, an abrasive brush, a grinding wheel.

Materials for preparation:

• aqueous solution of laundry soap;
• natural rags;
• spatula with a soft tip;
• packaging parchment;
• auto putty;
• masking tape;
• plastic primer;
• spray paint.

The areas around the damage are thoroughly cleaned of dust, dirt, and oil deposits. Use a rag with diluted soap to thoroughly wash the crack itself and around it. The paint layer should not be peeled off to avoid peeling.

Be sure to dry the surfaces! There should be no signs of moisture at the work site!

Recovery

Do-it-yourself repair of a crack in a plastic bumper continues. A hot air nozzle is placed on the gas burner nozzle. The inner edges of the crack are carefully melted. A stream of heated air is directed into the opening, evenly from different sides. The plastic cools down for five minutes. Instead of a nozzle, a holder and an abrasive brush are put on the burner nozzle.

The plastic is processed to perfect condition. The brush is removed from the burner nozzle and a grinding wheel is placed. A neat small groove in a V-shaped configuration is cut along the entire chip. Why is such a furrow needed? The resulting recess is filled with a soft spatula with a dense layer of putty flush with the edges.

When it has hardened sufficiently, the surface around and on it is processed with a sanding block. The seam becomes smooth, invisible, and excess putty is cleaned off. When cleaning the bumper, it must be moistened generously with water. This operation makes all the work easier. After the surface is perfectly leveled, all surfaces are washed, dried with warm air, then the repair continues.

Painting

To prevent paint from getting onto adjacent areas of the car, it is necessary to cover all areas adjacent to the bumper with wrapping paper and masking tape. Only the painting surface should be exposed. Before painting, a uniform thin layer of primer is sprayed onto the surface of the part. After it dries, the painting procedure begins.

Repairs are carried out using aerosol paints in cans. The most popular composition is aerosol bumper paint APP Bumper Paint – New Line. The capacity of one can is 400 ml. Absolutely all car colors are available. To repair one front bumper with two layers of paint, you need two cans.

Conclusion

Do-it-yourself bumper repairs. To repair them, to repair all the cracks, scratches, chipped paint, a minimum of funds was required, only the cost of paint and primer. Now our bumpers are unrecognizable. Brilliant, beautiful, inviting for a long journey. It's nice to get in the car and take a long trip. Cracks on the bumper will no longer attract the attention of neighbors in the garage.

Many drivers have encountered the problem of cracks appearing on their car bumpers. If it is plastic, then you can repair the damaged area yourself. There are many different ways to restore the aesthetic appearance of a bumper made of this material without resorting to the services of a car service.

Below we will discuss in detail the process of self-repairing damaged parts of a car body.

Types of bumpers and materials from which they are made

Modern car bumpers can be made of metal and plastic.

In turn, plastic ones can be made from 2 types of material:

• thermoactive;
• thermoset.

What is the difference between thermosetting plastic for car bumpers and thermosetting plastic?

The main difference between a thermoactive material is that it can be subjected to secondary heat treatment. Under the influence of high temperature, the material easily melts, becomes elastic, soft and can take any shape.

Thermosetting plastic, on the contrary, is very durable, resistant to high temperatures and mechanical damage.

Car bumpers made of thermosetting plastics, as a rule, are rarely subject to cracks due to the strength and reliability of the material.

The following types of thermoactive materials are distinguished:

• Polyethylene - used in the production of food containers, bags, etc.;
• Polystyrene - various insulation materials are made from them in construction, etc.;
• Polypropylene - used in the production of auto parts, including car bumpers, food industry, etc.;
• Polyvinyl chloride - production of insulating coatings for cables, window technologies, etc.

Thermosetting materials are divided into:

• Polyurethane - most plastic auto parts, both small and large, are made from this type;
• Epoxy resins - used for joining and gluing different parts;
• Fiberglass - used in the production of heavy-duty auto parts, including bumpers;
• Phenol resins - needed in the manufacture of small auto parts, computers. boards, etc.

How to repair minor damage to a plastic car bumper

Bumper damage comes in many different types, from minor scratches and small dents to serious cracks. Small dents and scratches can be removed yourself.

If the car bumper is made of thermoactive plastic, then minor damage to it can be easily eliminated using the polishing method with special chemicals. means.

For example, if there is a shallow scratch, it can be treated with WD-40 universal cleaner.

In order to polish a scratch or chip, you will need a sponge, a soft rag and a chemical reagent. First, you need to clean the damaged area from dirt and dust with a sponge and water. After applying chemical. spray or sponge. Next, the damaged area is intensively polished with a rag until no damage is visible on it.

The second way to eliminate small dents and scratches on a plastic car bumper is to straighten the damaged area with a hot air gun. The essence of the method is that the damaged surface is evenly heated with a hair dryer. Due to heat treatment, the damage is leveled and straightened.

The method is simple and does not require special skills to perform, but it is not without its drawbacks: there is a possibility of deformation of the plastic; heating with a hairdryer can only be used on unpainted areas.

Also, a wax pencil is considered a simple and inexpensive way to eliminate minor damage to a plastic car bumper.

With its help, scratches and chips are simply painted over. Chem. the composition of the pencil fills the damaged areas, leveling them with the general surface and forms a protective layer. The process of removing chips and dents with a wax pencil takes no more than 5 minutes.

What to do if there is a crack on the bumper - methods for repairing it

If a crack has formed on the car bumper as a result of damage, then simply cleaning and polishing this place will no longer work; in any case, it will be visible.

To repair a crack, you need to resort to more effective methods. There are several ways to repair cracks in plastic bumpers:

1. repairing damage with liquid polymer;
2. welding using a rod;
3. welding the crack with a hot air gun;
4. repairs using fiberglass;
5. gluing plastic with a two-component composition.

Let's look at each of them in detail.

To make it easier to work with damaged areas, the car bumper must be removed and secured on a stand. Before starting the repair, you need to thoroughly clean the damaged area from dirt and dust, and if the bumper has already been repaired, then remove the remnants of the repair kit from the last time.

Experts advise treating damaged surfaces with any degreasing chemical before starting repairs. means.

Seal the crack using liquid polymer

For this method you will need: a soldering iron, fine-grained sandpaper, a knife, wire cutters, steel wire, a hot air gun, a piece of protection for the car fender liner.

Sealing process:

1. We clean the edges of the crack with sandpaper.
2. If the crack is long, then it must be sewn together in several places along the edges with scraps of steel wire. The edges of the wire are bent and cut off with wire cutters.
3. Next, the edges of the crack are brought together and carefully soldered with a soldering iron.
4. The fender liner protection is made of polymer plastic, which melts easily and is suitable for creating patches. Small strips are cut from the protection fabric (about 2-3 cm wide, 15-20 cm long and 2 mm thick), which will be patches for soldering.
5. The place where the patch will be applied and the patch itself is cleaned with a sharp knife.
6. We heat the damaged area with a hairdryer in the place where the patch is applied. Next, we heat the patch strip to a semi-liquid state, gradually applying it to the damaged area. This is repeated several times (with new strips) until the crack on the bumper is completely sealed.
7. The resulting seam is cleaned with an emery wheel and prepared for painting.

Video instructions for repair using this method are given below.

• Pros: low cost, simplicity, minimal set of materials and tools.
• Cons: likelihood of plastic deformation when heated.

How to weld a bumper with a rod

To weld a crack with a rod you will need: a manual extruder for welding plastics, round polypropylene filler rods or polyethylene filler rods.

Welding process:

1. We heat the manual extruder to the required temperature and put on a special nozzle into which the filler rod is inserted.
2. We carefully solder the damaged area, using an extruder from the molten rod to form a uniform seam along the entire perimeter of the crack.

Pros: fast, does not require special skills.

Disadvantages: plastic is subject to deformation, specific tools and materials that are not always available.

See detailed video instructions below.

Welding with a hot air gun

To weld a crack with a hot air gun, you will need: a hot air gun, a soldering iron, plastic rods, steel wire or rivets.

Welding process:

1. We fix the torn edges of the damage and solder them with a soldering iron along the entire perimeter of the cracked surface. If the edges diverge greatly, you can fix them with rivets or wire staples.
2. We heat up the hot air gun and start welding: melt the rod and place it on the crack in the plastic of the bumper, forming a seam around the perimeter of the damaged area.

Pros: fast, effective even for serious damage.

Cons: overheating may cause deformation of an intact surface.

Video instructions for using a hot air gun are below.

Repair with fiberglass

To repair a car bumper using fiberglass you will need: an emery wheel, a grinder and a grinder, fiberglass, epoxy resin, fine-grained sandpaper, hardener, and a brush.

Repair process:

1. Cleaning damaged areas with an emery wheel and fine-grained sandpaper.
2. Epoxy resin is diluted in a plastic container with a hardener and evenly applied with a brush to the damaged areas.
3. Patches are cut from fiberglass, glued to damaged areas and covered with an even layer of epoxy solution.
4. The bumper is dried, carefully sanded with a machine and prepared for painting.

Pros: damage of any size and thickness can be repaired, suitable for thermosetting types of plastic.

Disadvantages: the reagent is toxic - work in a chemical industry is required. protection, fragility of the seal; even with a slight impact, the sealed area can crack.

Video of the fiberglass repair is below.

How to glue plastic with a two-component compound

Required tools and materials: grinder. machine, emery wheel, two-component glue, degreaser, tape, construction mesh, spatula.

Gluing process:

1. Cleaning the damaged area with fine-grained sandpaper (emery wheel).
2. Treating surfaces with a degreaser.
3. The crack on the outside of the bumper is sealed with tape.
4. A patch is cut out of construction mesh and glued to the inside of the car bumper. The glue is applied on top of the damaged area in several layers. The same is done on the outside after removing the tape.
5. Excess glue is smoothed out with a spatula. The bumper is left to dry for 30-40 minutes.
6. The glued surface is sanded and prepared for painting.

Pros: convenient, quickly glues, retains elasticity.

Cons: not suitable for large cracks.

Detailed video instructions for gluing.

Soldering large bumper damage

This procedure is carried out using: a soldering iron, reinforcing mesh, scissors.

Soldering process:

1. A pre-cut patch of reinforcing mesh is applied to the inside of the bumper at the site of damage.
2. Mesh patches are soldered with a soldering iron into the inner surface of the car bumper, soldering the torn edges of the crack.
3. On the outside, soldering is also done along the seam.
4. After soldering, the seam is cleaned and prepared for painting.

Pros: a quick and reliable way to repair large cracks, availability of materials.

Cons: suitable only for thermosetting plastic; over time, the seam may come apart.