Although early car bumpers were made of chromium-plated steel, plastic has become the standard for vehicle bumpers since the 1960s. Modern car bumpers are made from thermoplastic olefins, a blend of plastic molecules, rubber, and a reinforcing filler like carbon fiber or calcium carbonate. This blend of materials creates a scratch and impact-resistant plastic that can bond with a wide range of paints and finishes, making it ideal for vehicle bumpers.

Plastic is the preferred material for modern car bumpers for several reasons. First and foremost, plastic is much lighter and more aerodynamic than metal, which improves the car’s fuel efficiency. Plastic is also easier to shape, which is useful during both the manufacturing and bumper repair process.

Plastic is also considered to be safer than metal since plastic does a better job of absorbing an impact during an accident. This is because plastic is meant to crumple and dent during an accident rather than hold its shape. This may sound bad, but when your plastic bumper dents or cracks, it absorbs the impact energy that would otherwise get transferred to you. Ultimately, it’s better that your bumper suffers damage than you do.

When accidents do happen and your bumper receives dents or cracks, it’s essential to get your vehicle back to its original state as quickly and efficiently as possible. With most modern vehicles having plastic bumpers, it’s crucial to understand the process behind mobile plastic bumper repair and what you should expect from a high-quality repair.

Auto Body Plastic Repair Products

Before discussing the process of bumper repair, it’s important to understand the types of products used in the process. Plastic repair products are specially designed to restore damaged plastic bumpers to their original form without having to replace the entire bumper. When choosing the right products to use, bumper repair technicians need to identify the type of polymer that was used to manufacture the part. Common polymer identifiers include:

• PP: polypropylene
• PO: polyolefin
• ABS: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
• PC: polycarbonate
• PE: polyethylene
• PVC: polyvinylchloride

By identifying what the bumper’s plastic is made from, your technician can choose the right tools and repair techniques to ensure a seamless and successful mobile bumper repair.

Cosmetic Repair vs Two-Sided Repair

One of the most significant advantages of plastic bumpers over metal bumpers is their ability to be more easily repaired rather than replaced. Most minor bumper scratches, dents, and dings can be repaired and restored without having to order a new bumper. This means that you can have your vehicle fully restored in just a matter of hours with our convenient mobile service rather than needing to wait around for days or weeks for parts to arrive.

There are two main types of bumper repair: cosmetic repair and two-sided repair. Cosmetic repairs focus on fixing surface-level damages such as scratches, scuffs, and minor dents. Two-sided repairs, on the other hand, are for more severe damages that affect both the exterior and interior of the bumper. For example, if the damage is a hole that goes completely through the surface of the bumper, a repair adhesive or plastic welding may need to be used. 

Focus on Attention to Detail

Once your technician has selected the right tools and techniques for the job, they’ll get to work on the repair. During this time, they always keep in mind best practices, precision, and attention to detail.

At Bumper Buddies, we take pride in our highly skilled and experienced technicians, who are trained to pay close attention to detail in every repair. With a mobile repair service, it’s crucial to have technicians who can provide high-quality work in a short amount of time, all while maintaining accuracy and precision. Our technicians have the expertise to assess the severity of the damage and determine the best course of action to ensure your bumper is repaired to the highest standard. By focusing on cleanliness and attention to detail, we guarantee that your vehicle will look as good as new after our mobile dent repair service.

Sanding & Repainting

Once the damaged area has been repaired, the next step is to resurface and repaint the bumper to complete the job. This process is crucial in achieving a seamless repair, making it virtually impossible to tell that your bumper has been damaged in the first place.

First, our technicians will carefully sand the repaired area to make sure it is smooth and level. This step also ensures that the new paint adheres to the surface correctly. Then, we’ll match the color of the original paint job using computerized color-matching technology based on your unique VIN. Our technicians will seamlessly blend your computer-matched PPG paint with the original paint job, achieving a flawless result that will completely hide any sign that your vehicle was ever damaged in the first place. Finally, we’ll add a clear coat for added protection and shine.

If your vehicle has received minor bumper damage and you need convenient and affordable mobile auto body repair, trust the experts at Bumper Buddies. Our technicians are skilled in a wide range of repair techniques, and we offer some of the best rates for mobile bumper repair in Southern California. We have a five-star rating that we’ve maintained for our 20 years in business, and we offer a three-year warranty on all of our repairs. If you’d like to receive a free quote for your mobile bumper repair today, give us a call today at 888-711-5074, text us at 949-799-1413, or contact us online.