DIY plastic bumper repair

In detail: do-it-yourself repair of a plastic bumper cover from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Bumpers of modern cars are made mainly of plastic, they are damaged in a minor accident and collision is not an obstacle.

As you know, there are front and rear bumpers, and the front bumper (PB) is damaged much more often than the rear bumper (ZB). PB needs repair if:

the paintwork is damaged;
scratches appear on the plastic element;
bumper cracks have formed as a result of a collision with an obstacle or a minor accident.

If the impact to the front or rear of the car is severe, the bumper is most likely beyond repair. But in specialized car services, they often undertake the repair of a badly broken plastic bumper. The whole question is whether the restoration is worth the money, in some cases it is easier and cheaper to buy a new part.

The cost of repairing a PB or ST can be different, it depends on the level of the car service, the degree of damage to the part, the complexity of restoration. For example, in Moscow, the restoration of a bumper can cost from 2,500 rubles, and painting of one element will also cost from 5,000 rubles. There are auto repair shops that promise to repair the bumper from 500 rubles, to carry out repairs within one or two hours. Advertising is not worth it, most likely, car owners are deceived, or the repairs are performed here of poor quality.

Repair of a front or rear bumper can be of varying complexity, there are main types of work that are carried out with body elements:

sealing cracks;
restoration of plastic fragments;
repair of dents;
preparation for painting (cleaning, sanding);
primer;
painting;
restoration, repair of fasteners.

Video (click to play).

Restoring a plastic bumper requires care and accuracy, sufficient experience, and only a qualified master can do the job with high quality.

Repair of the PB becomes profitable if the bumper itself is rare, installed on an expensive car, on which the car owner does not want to install a cheap "non-original". There are also tuning bumpers - they are expensive, and the industry does not produce non-original spare parts of this kind.

If the car is budgetary, and the owner of the car is "with hands", you can try to repair the PB yourself. Much depends on the degree of damage; you can also restore a slightly damaged body part with your own hands. Repair of the front bumper (with a crack) is carried out with the removal of the body part from the car, and to seal the crack, you need to connect the edges of the damaged area - make a reliable lock.

There are special repair kits on sale, for example, from 3M. The FPRM kit includes:

two components of epoxy material (glue);
reinforcing mesh;
special tape.

We prepare the bumper for gluing as follows:

the damaged area to be repaired is thoroughly washed with soapy water, we give time to the plastic to dry thoroughly;
we grind the repaired area, remove the paintwork from it. We clean the paint so that adhesive tape can be glued to the area freed from it;
we grind the edges of the crack at an angle of 45 degrees, they should be in the form of wedges. We process the surface first from the inside and then from the outside, for this we use a grinder with a cleaning disc;
we clean the treated surface with the composition 3M 08985, wait for the complete evaporation of the degreaser;
we glue the scotch tape on the outside of the glued area;
from the inside, we fix the reinforcing mesh;
mix the epoxy components in a one-to-one ratio;
apply the prepared composition on the reinforcing mesh, with a spatula, push it inward, it must close the crack;
heat the crack with infrared drying (6-8 minutes). If there is no special drying device, let the glue dry at room temperature for about 30 minutes;
remove the tape, degrease, process the front part with an adhesion activator;
we prepare the composition for the front side;
apply glue on the outside of the crack;

let the parts dry again;
we process the dried surface with abrasive wheels, first with a coarser abrasive (180), then with fine "sandpaper" (240, at the end of processing - 400);
blow through the repaired area with compressed air, clean it with a compound from the set 3M 08985, wipe it with a dry cloth. The bumper is now ready for painting.

Damage to the bumper can be different - in one case it is just a crack, in the other, pieces of plastic fly off on impact. To seal a plastic element, you will need:

construction hair dryer;
angle grinder;
pliers;
screwdriver;
soldering iron;
sandpaper;
spatulas.

The soldering iron must be powerful enough, preferably at least 100 watts.

If the pieces of the bumper are broken off and lost, initially we modify the damaged areas, give them a rectangular or triangular shape.

We carry out the work in the following order:

from the inside and outside around the damage, we process the entire surface with a cleaning wheel - we clean off the paint;
we remove all cracks in the paint to the base (to plastic);
we prepare a nozzle for a hair dryer, it is needed so that hot air can be directed to the damaged area;
we join the torn seam, melt and solder the pieces with a soldering iron. We grab the plastic with a soldering iron in several places - it is also necessary for the plastic to become homogeneous;
we put on the nozzle on the hair dryer, with a hairdryer we evenly warm the plastic on both sides. It is important to keep an eye on the hair dryer, with a narrow nozzle it can overheat,
after warming up, align the edges of the plastic;
we solder the seam with a soldering iron thoroughly.

If you need to solder pieces of missing plastic to the bumper, it is advisable to take plastic of the same type, the marking is usually indicated on the inside of the plastic parts.

To solder the missing pieces into the bumper, proceed as follows:

we take paper, apply it to the bumper, draw a circle around the damaged contour;
we transfer the drawing from paper to plastic, cut out the necessary piece;
install the cut-out piece in the bumper flush, solder along the edges with a soldering iron;
So that the piece to be soldered does not move, we first grab it with a soldering iron from all sides.

If you cannot cut the desired piece to the exact size, you can cut off the plastic with a margin and solder it on the inside of the bumper. But this option is worse, since when soldering from the front part, a dimple is formed around the patch.

The surface can be leveled in two ways:

melt everything outside with plastic;
apply a layer of putty to the surface, then process it.

After soldering and applying putty, we process the surface, prime the bumper and paint.

Do-it-yourself repair of plastic bumpers in the garage is carried out if the damage is small or if you need to save money. For such a procedure, different equipment is used, the highest quality work is carried out in professional workshops. Do-it-yourself plastic bumper repair in the garage is often carried out using a soldering iron, putty and paint.

First, the damaged part is examined, defects and recoverability are assessed. If fragments break off during damage, the repair process becomes more complicated, it is necessary to select a similar material to restore the integrity or order new components.

Scratches stick together, putty, paint.

Deformations and cracks are corrected by heating the plastic with a gas burner. The material softens, easily changes shape.

Small cracks are pulled together with reinforcing elements.

The choice of a method for repairing damage depends on the condition of the body element. Available options:

Bonding of body elements of cold forming, a mixture on a polyurethane basis is used.

Heat sealing is performed during the repair of components manufactured using hot forming technology. Welding equipment helps repair damage.

Lamination is used to replace lost fragments with similar ones. For repairs, a reinforcing mesh and a putty mixture are used.

Flat electrodes, construction hair dryer close cracks well.

Soldering is often carried out in a domestic environment if there is no expensive equipment. For this, a soldering iron, sandpaper and paint are used.

Reinforcement brazing is used to repair large cracks. The process is based on the technology of double-sided soldering and simultaneous reinforcement with iron staples or mesh.

Bonded with fiberglass and epoxy resin. Elastic pads are glued on both sides.

Before being sent for repair, the damaged body is dismantled, the plastic is processed from the inside and outside. If the part is cracked in different places, the fragments are first glued together, then the part is removed. If this is not done, the element will lose its shape, the attachment points are connected, the gaps will increase.Often the bumper breaks off at the attachment points, and plastic remains on the bolts. Before dismantling, the torn off elements are glued or welded.To prepare a damaged body kit for restoration, the following devices are used:

Wrenches, screwdrivers.

Grinder.

Sandpaper p180 to p

Liquid for removing fat.

Rag.

A grinder removes damage quickly and efficiently, the device is used for painting and polishing. The surface is pre-washed, dried, then the paint is peeled off 3-5 cm around the crack with a coarse sandpaper, then this place is processed with fine sandpaper. To make repairs more convenient, the garage must be properly equipped.

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

If you need to carry out repairs with your own hands, or the insurance does not work, or there is no money and desire to contact the service center, you will need to carefully study the nature of the damage. If the driver realizes that the bumper is very badly 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 found, the problem can be completely eliminated on your own, knowing how to act in this or that case. So, how can scratches, dents and cracks be repaired quickly and effectively?

Elimination of this problem can be carried out 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 correct in shape. In the course of this process, the damage may become slightly larger in size, but their depth will become much smaller. Do not be afraid of this, after thorough cleaning all the irregularities will be filled with putty.

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

To repair a minor dent that did not damage the paintwork, you simply need to heat the deformed part of the bumper. The concave part of the plastic must be heated with a previously prepared thermal or technical hair dryer until the material becomes soft enough. After that, the dent is manually straightened, at the same time giving the damaged section of the bumper the correct geometric shape.

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

The edges of the damage must be brought together and soldered to one side of the mesh. It is advisable to drown it as deeply as possible in the plastic, but you cannot overdo it, as a hole may form.
The end of the mesh is covered with melted plastic.
Similarly, you need to walk along the entire crack.

If the damage to the bumper is minor, special construction brackets can be used instead of the mesh. In the process of soldering them, it is recommended to use tweezers, which will prevent burns of the brushes. Bonding actions should be spaced 2 cm apart and along the entire length of the crack.

To prevent the mesh and metal staples from rusting after a while, the items must be covered with special liquid plastic. At the end of all the work that is carried out on the inner surface of the bumper, its front side immediately takes on its original appearance.

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

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

Depending on the amount of damage and the type of plastic, the following methods of cracked bumpers are practiced:

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

Reference. There is one simple method used by car enthusiasts who are not overly concerned about the look of the car. This is the connection of the edges of the crack with wire or staples from a stapler. This is a simple matter, which means that there is no point in considering this technology, everything is clear.

The use of acetone for bonding, which can dissolve many types of plastics, is a temporary measure used for small cracks that have appeared in the middle of the body kit. Its essence is as follows:

Pieces of plastic, similar in composition to the bumper material, are selected and dissolved in acetone to a thick consistency.
On the back of the bumper, the crack is degreased and also treated with acetone in order to soften the surface.
Liquefied plastic is applied to the damage from the reverse side, and then hardens for several hours. Outside, the defect can be tinted with a corrector tube.

Any single cracks in most plastics can be sealed using thick two-component compounds sold in two tubes. The exception is fiberglass body kits, they are glued together with epoxy resin, and in case of serious damage, reinforcement with fiberglass mesh is used.

With numerous large cracks, breaks and holes in the bumper, bonding methods become ineffective. In such cases, soldering or welding with a hot air gun using a donor polymer material is practiced. After such repairs, the place of the defect is thoroughly cleaned and painted in the color of the car. Finally, a full bumper polish should be done so that the painted area does not stand out against the background of the old coating.

Advice. If you got into an accident or collided with a fixed obstacle and broke the body kit, try to collect all but the smallest pieces that have flown off. This will allow you to use "native" plastic for repairs and not look for something similar.

The preparatory process differs little for various methods of gluing and welding polymer parts, so it should be considered separately. The first question is whether it is really necessary to remove the bumper in order to make repairs. In most cases, dismantling is indispensable, since the plastic must be sealed on both sides. The exception is broken body kits, cracked in many places. They must first be stitched together and then removed. Otherwise, after repair, the part may lose its shape, which is why the attachment points will not converge, and the gaps with adjacent elements will increase.

Reference. Often, the body of the bumper 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 mount 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 various grain sizes - from P180 to P320;
degreasing liquid - organic solvent or white spirit;
rags.

Note. With the help of a grinding machine, you can perform cleaning better and much faster than by hand. This and other power tools that are needed for painting and polishing can be rented for 2-3 days.

Regardless of whether work is being carried out directly on the car or with the bumper removed, it must be thoroughly washed and dried. Then, with a coarse sandpaper, you need to peel off the paint with an indent of 3-5 cm from the crack in each direction and grind the area with fine sandpaper.Whichever method of repair you choose, the paint must be removed to the base, otherwise it will interfere with the adhesion of the adhesive or the fusion of polymers during welding. At the end, the area should be degreased.

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

To implement this method, you need to purchase the following bumper repair kit from the 3M brand:

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

Reference. Similar kits are offered by other manufacturers, but the 3M brand is the most famous and proven in practice.

Liquid resin bonding is suitable for most plastics and can be done either with the body kit removed or on the vehicle. True, the second option is rather inconvenient, plus you will need good lighting in the inspection pit. To cut the crack, you will need an electric drill (not a grinder!) With a mandrel for abrasive wheels. The repair consists of the following technological operations:

Image - DIY repair of a plastic bumper lining

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

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

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

fiberglass for bumper repair;

polyester (epoxy) resin complete with hardener;

soft brush;

utility knife or scissors;

latex gloves.

Advice. If a bulge or a depression has formed at the place of impact, then immediately after stripping, level it using a construction hair dryer to heat it.Since fiberglass patches will have to be applied on both sides of the damaged area, it is better to dismantle the bumper from the car. After completing all the preparatory work, including stripping paint and degreasing, proceed in the following sequence:

Using a sander with coarse sandpaper (P80-P120), make a depression in the bumper body 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.

On the back, sand with a coarse sandpaper, but without a depression. Degrease the area and let dry.

Cut out the fiberglass patches. On the front part, you need to make a neat patch, repeating the shape of the recess, and from the rear you can glue a rectangular overlay.

Mix resin and hardener in the proportions indicated on the package. Apply the composition with a brush to the surface, apply a patch (you can in several layers) and saturate it with resin.

Accurately observe the time specified for the curing of the epoxy compound (written on the container with the resin), then carefully clean the repair area with a fine sandpaper. The task is to level the surface by removing the protrusions.

Note. Initially, coarse sandpaper is used in order to create a roughness on the surface of the plastic, which contributes to better adhesion of the polyester adhesive.This completes the work on the repair of the plastic itself, then cleaning, priming and painting are performed using standard technology. The last operation is bumper polishing, it is necessary to give the element a uniform shine.