The simplest situation in repairing the bumper is represented by the presence of slight scratches, usually caused during parking or manoeuvring operations. If the scratches are not deep and do not affect the body of the bumper in a particular way we can eliminate them quite quickly. If the bumper is not painted, proceed with a thorough cleaning of the damaged part with the WD-40 universal cleaner applied with a sponge and dried well with a microfibre cloth.
Then the special abrasive paste is applied to the affected part working patiently and repeatedly with circular movements until the part is smoothed and the scratches disappear. If the scratches are a little deeper, you can use very fine abrasive paper (over No. 400) without pressing too hard. If the bumper is painted, we work in the same way with the abrasive paste, but we do not use abrasive paper especially if the paint is metallic, as its action removes the transparent lacquered finish. If the scratches do not disappear, you have to act differently.
Bumper Repair in Fredericksburg & Stafford VA
Bumper Repair Service
The majority of damaged bumpers don’t need to be replaced. Unless the damage is such that it has irreversibly compromised the bumper and hence your vehicle’s ability to absorb a potential future collision, in most cases your original bumper can be repaired both structurally and aesthetically using a variety of modern restoration techniques.
Often this work can be done by our team within a matter of hours including re-painting, with most repairs costing less than your insurance deductible.
Minor aesthetic damage can include scuffs, scrapes, scratches, stone chips, and peeling paint. More severe bumper impacts can cause cracks, dents, punctures, tears and substrate damage. The good news is that unlike the metal bumpers of old, modern plastic bumpers can be repaired fairly easily.
The Bumper Repair Process
How It All Works
First, we'll provide you with a free assessment of the damage to your bumper to determine what will be
needed to repair it. Minor repairs such as the removal of paint transfer can be performed using a rubbing compound or solvent, with only a final touch up needed to fully restore your bumper’s visual appeal.
Deeper Scuffs & Scratches
For deeper scuffs, scratches or stone chips, our technician will begin by sanding down and reshaping the damaged areas. Deep scratches are filled in using a flexible polyurethane or equivalent solution. Once dry, the repaired section is sanded back before the application of a layer of primer to seal the damaged area. We then formulate a custom color blend to obtain a precise match to the paint hue on your bumper. Our color-matching process compensates for subtle variations in the original paint color due to ageing and the effect of sunlight and other environmental conditions. We apply several layers of paint over the repaired area, followed by the application of several coats of top/clear to seal and protect the finish.
Dents on plastic bumpers
Dents on plastic bumpers are repaired using heat reshaping. We heat the dented area to around 650 degrees (340° C), and apply pressure to the inside of the depression to reshape it back to its original form. If necessary, our technician will then apply fillers and plastic welding compounds to restore the structural integrity and shape of the affected area, prior to priming, painting and sealing the finish.
Cracks, Punctures & Tears
Cracks, punctures or tears are repaired using plastic welding, including the addition of additional plastics such as polypropylene to fuse sections of the original bumper plastic and to add strength and restore structural integrity. In some cases, stapling will be performed to re-enforce the strength of the substrate. Once complete, the area is primed, re-painted and then sealed to restore your bumper to a showroom finish.
I-CAR Gold Class status
At Radley Collision Center, we specialize in quality bumper repairs at an affordable price. We hold I-CAR Gold Class status, a designation held by only about 10% of auto body repair shops nationwide. We maintain annual training for our technicians to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality collision and bumper repairs on all the latest model vehicles.
Contact Us
So whether your bumper damage has been self-inflicted by an embarrassing encounter reversing into a pole, scraping a garage wall or finding that another vehicle got too intimate with yours while you were in the supermarket, bumper repairs are part of our forte at Radley Collision Center. Call us today to schedule an obligation free bumper repair estimate at either our Fredericksburg & Stafford locations. We have proudly been serving the auto body and bumper repair needs of Northern Virginia since 1979. We look forward to welcoming you and to serving and fulfilling your auto body and collision repair needs.