There are many ways that you can cause damage to your vehicle’s bumper, from accidentally hitting a pole to getting into a more serious collision. Regardless of the cause, you should know what to do when your car’s bumper is damaged so that you can take the proper steps to repair it.
Assess the Damage
One of the first things you should do when your vehicle gets into any sort of accident is to check the extent of the damage. Some of the most common types of wear and tear are scratches, cracks, and dents. It’s unsafe to drive around with a cracked or dented bumper since these reduce the safety of your vehicle. After figuring out the damage you’re dealing with, you can take the next steps toward repairing it.
Consult a Professional
An action you can take when your car’s bumper is damaged is to contact a body shop. They’ll let you know what type of damage you’re dealing with. Instead of calling a regular mechanic, you may want to choose a collision repair center near you that specializes in bodywork over engine repair. If you know the extent of the damage, they may be able to provide you with an estimate and save you the time and hassle of repairing it yourself.
Consider Home Repairs
If you want to avoid visiting a professional or paying for bodywork, you may be able to repair your bumper yourself. Many hardware stores and auto parts shops sell specialized kits for repairing and removing dents from your bumper. Minor dents often pop right out, but larger ones may prove more difficult and result in more damage if you try to handle them without expertise. Keep this in mind when weighing your options.
The most common solution for dealing with cracks and scratches is to use an epoxy filler to close them up and cover them. Once it dries and hardens, you can smooth it out with sandpaper and paint over it to restore a more natural look.