Whether your car’s bumper is cracked from a minor fender bender or years of wear and tear, you may be wondering if it’s worth it to fix or if you should just live with the cosmetic damage. There are a few key factors to consider when deciding if repairing a cracked bumper is worth the time and money.
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What causes bumpers to crack?
Bumpers are designed to absorb impact and protect the body of the vehicle in collisions. They are made of materials like plastic, fiberglass, or metal and can crack from various causes:
– Minor front or rear collisions: Even low speed bumps and fender benders can cause the bumper to flex and develop stress cracks over time. This is the most common cause of cracked bumpers.
– Hitting objects: Backing into a pole, clipping a curb, or hitting objects in the road can all put enough force on the bumper to cause cracking.
– Exposure to extreme hot or cold weather: Plastic and fiberglass bumpers can become brittle and crack over time when exposed to very hot or very cold environments.
– General wear and tear: Years of use leads to normal stress, flexing, and UV damage that degrades the bumper materials resulting in cracking and splitting.
Should you fix a cracked bumper?
Here are some pros and cons to weigh when deciding if it’s worth it to repair a cracked bumper:
**Pros of repairing a cracked bumper:**
– Improves appearance: Fixing the cracked bumper makes your car look much nicer cosmetically.
– Maintains value: Cracked bumpers lower the resale value of your car. Repairing it maintains more value.
– Avoids further damage: Cracks can worsen over time and lead to pieces of the bumper falling off. Repairing now prevents bigger problems later.
– Affordable fixes available: Depending on the damage, affordable fixes like bumper repair kits can mend cracks at a low cost.
**Cons of leaving a cracked bumper:**
– Cosmetic damage worsens: Cracks spread and get bigger the longer you wait to repair them.
– Exposes internal components: Cracked plastic or fiberglass lets damaging debris and moisture get inside.
– Potential safety concerns: Severe cracks could cause the bumper to detach at high speeds and become a road hazard.
– Lowers resale value: Visible cracks bring down the car’s value at trade in or sale.
Assessing the damage
Before deciding on repair options, you’ll need to thoroughly assess the extent of the damage:
– Look closely at the length and width of any cracks. Measure them if needed.
– Check for broken or detached pieces hanging off the bumper.
– See if any internal reinforcement bars are bent or broken.
– Determine if the foam bumper underneath is damaged.
– Check both visually and by touch if the bumper is misaligned with the fenders.
– Assess any scrapes, holes, or paint damage along with the cracks.
– Identify the bumper material – plastic, fiberglass, or metal.
Thoroughly assessing the type and extent of damage is key for choosing the right repair method and estimating costs. Minor surface cracks may be a quick DIY fix, but deeper structural cracks or misalignment will require professional auto body work.
Bumper repair options
Here are some common ways to fix a cracked bumper based on the severity of damage:
– **Bumper repair kit:** Affordable kits can mend minor surface cracks in plastic or fiberglass bumpers. They use epoxy filler to inject into cracks and include tools to smooth and repaint the repair area. Total cost around $50.
– **Plastic welding:** A plastic welder gun fuses plastic bumper cracks together for a seamless repair. A professional auto body shop does this repair for $100-$300 depending on crack size.
– **Fiberglass patching:** A two-part fiberglass patch can permanently mend cracks or holes up to a few inches long in fiberglass bumpers. DIY kits cost around $40.
– **Partial bumper replacement:** For extensive damage, just replace the cracked bumper cover which is cheaper than a full replacement. Costs $200-$1000 for parts and labor.
– **Full bumper replacement:** Necessary for cracks over 12 inches or bumper damage that extends to the structure behind the cover. Most expensive option at $400-$1500+ for parts and professional installation.
DIY bumper crack repairs
For minor surface cracks, plastic welding or bumper repair kits provide affordable DIY solutions. Here are the basic steps for DIY crack fixes:
Bumper repair kit
1. Clean bumper: Remove debris or flaking paint around the crack using isopropyl alcohol.
2. Sand crack: Use included abrasive pad to rough up inside surface of crack so epoxy adheres.
3. Mix epoxy filler: Combine provided two-part epoxy adhesive per kit instructions.
4. Inject epoxy: Load mixed epoxy into syringe and carefully fill entire crack volume.
5. Smooth epoxy: Once cured, use sanding block to flush fill area to bumper surface.
6. Paint repair: Mask around area and apply touch up paint to match original bumper color.
7. Clear coat: Once paint dries, apply clear coat to blend paint for polished finish.
Plastic welding
1. Clean bumper: Use isopropyl alcohol to remove any dirt or oils from the crack.
2. Weld crack: Use hot air welder to fuse crack sides together starting at bottom and working up.
3. Sand welded area: Once cooled, sand surface smooth with 120 grit sandpaper.
4. Prep and paint: Wipe sanded area clean then spray bumper primer followed by topcoat paint.
5. Finish sanding: Gently sand painted area once dry for a smooth blend with existing bumper.
6. Clear coat: Finish by applying two coats of clear coat for a uniform glossy look.
With the right materials and careful technique, plastic welding or bumper repair kits can fix cracks for much less than professional repair cost.
Professional bumper repairs
For moderate or severe bumper damage, your best option is to have professional auto body technicians make the repair for optimal results.
What happens during professional bumper repair?
– Detailed damage inspection: All cracks, dents, holes will be noted along with needed parts and labor time.
– Bumper removal: Techs will remove the bumper from the vehicle to access the back side for repairs.
– Crack mending: Plastic welding or fiberglass patching will be used to seal cracks and holes.
– Dent repair: Technicians use tools to push dents out from behind to restore original bumper shape.
– Sanding and smoothing: Repaired areas are leveled and smoothed for optimal fit and finish.
– Bumper prep and paint: The bumper is primed, painted, and clear coated for a flawless color match.
– Reinstallation: Finally, the bumper is reattached to the vehicle with a thorough quality inspection.
Benefits of professional bumper repair:
– Structural repairs: Shops can mend cracks in internal bumper bars or frames which most DIY methods cannot.
– OEM parts replacement: Dealerships can get original manufacturer parts if sections need replacement.
– Proper paint matching: Shops have advanced tools to perfectly match your car’s factory paint color and finish.
– Manufacturer standards: Technicians are trained to follow manufacturer repair procedures and standards.
– Warranties: Most shops provide warranties of 1-5 years on body work for peace of mind.
While more expensive than DIY, professional bumper repair provides high-quality, safe, and lasting fixes for severe damage.
Bumper repair cost estimates
The cost to fix a cracked bumper can range widely depending on the repair method. Here are rough estimates:
| Repair type | Average cost range* |
|---|---|
| Bumper repair kit (DIY) | $35 – $100 |
| Plastic welding | $100 – $300 |
| Fiberglass patch | $40 – $150 (DIY kit) |
| Partial bumper replacement | $200 – $1000 |
| Full bumper replacement | $400 – $1500+ |
*Cost ranges are general estimates – final price depends on vehicle, labor rates, part prices, and extent of damage.
DIY kits provide the cheapest route under $100 while professional bumper replacement runs $1000+ for parts and labor. Evaluate the visible extent of damage and get a shop estimate to determine which repair method fits your budget.
Preventing bumper cracks
Avoiding bumper damage in the first place is ideal to steer clear of pricey repairs. Here are some tips for preventing cracked bumpers:
– Drive carefully around other vehicles, objects, and curbs to avoid collisions. Leave plenty of clearance.
– Inspect your bumpers periodically for any developing cracks. Address small cracks early before they spread.
– Maintain distance from vehicles in front to prevent rear end cracks. Avoid tailgating.
– Install protective bumper trim molding to absorb minor impacts that could crack the bumper.
– Use mud flaps behind tires to prevent kicked up rocks from hitting and damaging bumpers.
– Park carefully by lining up with curbs and walls to prevent scraping bumpers.
– Wash bumpers regularly and apply protectants to prevent UV damage over time.
– Have bumper damage from collisions professionally repaired to “like new” standards.
While bumper cracks inevitably happen over a vehicle’s lifetime, cautious driving and protective measures can significantly extend the life of your car’s bumpers.
Conclusion
Repairing a cracked bumper is generally worth the money and effort to improve your car’s appearance and maintain its value. For minor cracks under 6 inches, affordable DIY kits provide a simple fix. More extensive damage like long splits or holes will require professional repairs for the best results. Leaving bumper damage unrepaired risks further degradation of the bumper as well as safety hazards. Compare the estimated repair costs to the value of your vehicle – newer cars or classic models make the investment in fixing cracked bumpers well worth it. With the right repairs, you can get your car’s bumpers looking pristine again.