During the development of the very first cars, such a detail as a bumper was designed to protect the body and doors from damage resulting from collisions on the road or hitting obstacles.
Bumpers, like all other elements, were made of metal, they had high strength, and their repair, as a rule, consisted in an elementary restoration of the original shape by straightening. The main participants in such events were welding machines, as well as hammers and sledge hammers of various sizes and types (metal, plastic, wooden, rubber).
Modern bumpers and their repair
Today, automotive industry leaders prefer to use polymers to make as many parts as possible. These materials have the necessary texture and strength, and also have a number of other significant advantages:
- A light weight.
- Relatively low price.
- Ease of processing.
- Immunity to corrosive processes.
Based on the above characteristics, it can be concluded that plastic bumpers can reduce fuel consumption (by facilitating the car), improve the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle due to its streamlined shape, and also reduce the cost of the owner of the car for repair or replacement in case of damage.
In addition, repairing bumpers with your own hands at home becomes much easier and faster. The answer to all possible objections of novice motorists regarding the strength of bumpers made of various types of plastic can be numerous test drives. They clearly illustrate how this part, crumpled during a collision, extinguishes part of the energy and effectively protects the engine and body.
Causes and types of damage to the bumper
Most often, the bumper of the car suffers due to the carelessness or inattention of the driver, or due to circumstances beyond his control. The territorial location of repair shops allows you to quickly repair bumpers (HLW and other districts). The main reasons for contacting specialists are:
- Natural wear (exposure to destructive weather factors, gravel, gravel).
- Heavy objects falling on the part, a strong blow.
- Bad parking.
- Hitting a curb or other obstacle.
- An emergency on the road.
Such adverse situations often result in superficial damage to the bumper or its mechanical damage (cracks, chips, deformation).
General principles of repair work
Having noticed a crack or a chip on the bumper of your vehicle, you should not headlong to rush to the repair shop, because even with a minimum of tools and experience, you can quite effectively repair bumpers with your own hands at home.
One of the main conditions for the productive restoration of automotive parts made of polymer materials is the correct selection of materials and technology. Repairing plastic bumpers comes down to assembling damaged elements (if necessary, add fragments of the same composition instead of missing parts), carefully matching their edges and fixing with glue or a soldering apparatus.
The final stage, which completes the repair of bumpers on their own, is grinding and painting. These measures are carried out after the main repair of the part, its putty and stripping.
The way to eliminate light damage
As a result of the collision, the bumper assumes a significant part of the impact, in which there is an inevitable damage to its integrity. The severity and nature of the breakdown can range from minor scratches on the paint to serious dents and the falling of fragments of plastic.
In cases where the bumper of the car does not have deep or through damage, and the paint layer remains unharmed, it is possible to repair the bumpers with your own hands without painting. This procedure requires a building hairdryer and car polish. Under the influence of high temperature, the bumper material expands, pushing out a dent and taking its original shape. Any attempt to smooth the surface of the bumper without heating will lead to exfoliation of the paint and the cost of repair work.
After the part is leveled, you need to go over it with a polish that will help hide small scratches and abrasions.
Preparatory work
Those vehicle owners who were not lucky enough to get off with a slight fright and a few scratches on the bumper have to look for ways to restore the damaged part. Do-it-yourself bumper repairing at home requires some skill, supplies and tools.
In addition, it is necessary to choose the right technology for the restoration of plastic parts, taking into account the type of polymer material and its composition, as well as observe the sequence of work.
The choice of repair method depends on several factors:
- type of polymer;
- degree of damage;
- financial opportunities avtoladelitsa.
You can find out what plastic the bumper is made of by looking at the markings on the back of the part. This information is important because not all types of plastic are soldered.
The preparatory work includes the search and purchase of plastic, as well as a metal mesh for applying patches (if necessary), mixtures for grinding, puttying and painting, sandpaper, spatulas, a soldering iron and a grinding machine.
Methods for restoring bumper integrity
There are several popular methods for comparing parts of a broken bumper, each of which has its own specifics and characteristics.
- Traditional - soldering broken edges with a soldering iron (with or without plastic pads).
- The method of parallel seams - is the introduction of metal pins into the plastic on the back of the bumper. For this purpose, use wire or nails freed from caps. Soldered seams are designed to strengthen the bumper structure, give it rigidity and prevent a new fracture at the repair site.
- “Snake” - similar to the previous method, only copper wire is used instead of pins.
- Patching from a grid or grille is one of the most convenient ways. A flexible metal mesh is soldered into plastic, allowing you to quickly and reliably repair bumpers with your own hands at home.
It is desirable to embed patches and seams in plastic from the back of the part. However, if this is not possible, you can solder them on the front side, carefully sanded and covered with several layers of putty in the next steps.
How to replace missing parts of a part
In some cases, if damaged, the plastic of the bumper may break into several fragments that fall out and are lost. Without these elements, it is not possible to restore the part, so experts recommend replacing them with plastic patches of similar composition, metal gratings or fiberglass. Small chips can be filled with epoxy glue and special putty.
Repair of fiberglass bumpers is distinguished by the materials used: epoxy resins, fiberglass material, special putty containing fiberglass.
Car bumper painting
After all global damage has been eliminated, and the restored bumper surface has been carefully sanded and degreased, you can start painting.
Previously, the part should be covered with a primer layer and allowed to dry. When
repairing bumpers with your own hands (Priora station wagon, Hatchback and other automobiles) and applying a paint coat, it is worth following the manufacturer's recommendations, which are indicated on the cylinder. Often, they relate to the method of spraying, the distance to the surface, the nature of the movements of the master and the drying time of the paint and varnish.
Given the consistently high level of popularity of independent automotive repair work, there are more and more practical advice and instructions on the Internet that allow you to repair bumpers with your own hands. Photos, videos, comments by masters and a step-by-step description of all the steps really help to ensure high-quality and economical maintenance of your car.