A guide to car bumper repair

Are you due for car bumper repair but delaying scheduling the appointment because you're worried about the cost, the time it'll take, or any other reason? The experts at our Orlando Toyota Collision Center are here to put your mind at ease. Check out this guide to car bumper repair to get the info you need before you start your repair process.

Why should you schedule car bumper repair right away?

Did you know that bumpers are one of the most commonly damaged places on a vehicle? Whether the damage on your car bumper is serious or just aesthetically unpleasing, you want to get it repaired. Dents and serious damage can cause structural issues with your bumper, which prevents it from doing its job (absorbing energy when you get into an accident or collision to minimize damage to the rest of your car). Aesthetic damage like scratches can result in rust over time. Whatever the issue, it's best to resolve it promptly with car bumper repair to prevent more expensive issues down the road.

How much does car bumper repair cost?

There's no black-and-white answer when it comes to repair costs for ANY car part. With bumpers, it all depends on the make and model of your vehicle, the year, the extent of the damage, and the material that your bumper is made of. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to car bumper repair cost:

• Traditional dent repair may range from $150 and up, depending on the parameters noted above.
• Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is when techs use special tools to pull out dents without affecting the paint in that area. It's usually cheaper than traditional dent repair and quicker
• Cracks, holes, and punctures will range depending on how deep and large the damage is. It could run you $300 or more based on the extent of the damage.
• Scratches aren't too difficult to fix and the cost will depend on the size and depth of the scratch. They can run you anywhere from $50 and up for repair costs.

Car bumper repair cost is definitely lower than car bumper replacement cost. Not only will you need to pay for the bumper itself, but also the installation and painting. Typically, minor damage is easy to repair and you'll only need a bumper replacement if there's severe damage like deep holes or large cracks.

Should you try DIY car bumper repair?

If you get into any sort of accident — even a fender bender — it may be a good idea to get your car's bumper checked. While the damage may seem minor on the outside, there could be issues behind the bumper itself. These issues can include:

• Damaged lights. Your fog lights, headlights, turn signals, and license plate lights can all be damaged if your bumper gets hit.
• Damaged sensors. Your bumper often protects sensors for your parking features, airbags, weather, collision warning system, lane changing system, cruise control, and backup feature.
• Damaged cameras. Your car bumper can also house elements of your car cameras, which can easily be damaged in an accident.

You may not notice that these elements of your Orlando Toyota are damaged until it's too late, which can lead to bigger and more expensive repairs down the road. That's why we recommend having our techs at the Toyota of Orlando body shop take a look at your bumper to see whether or not there's a possibility of further damage behind the scenes. However, if you want to try the DIY approach, here are some tips.

How to get a dent out of a car bumper

Do you know how to get a dent out of a car bumper on your own? Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

• Dents in soft plastic are typically a bit easier to fix DIY-style than dents in metal.
• You'll need to get access behind the bumper — if you're not sure how to unclip liners and valances, leave it to the pros at Toyota of Orlando.
• Applying heat to the dent typically makes it more malleable and easier to work with. If you don't have a heat gun, you can use a hair dryer or even boiling water. Don't apply the heat for too long (it can damage the paint).
• Use something rubber-tipped to push the dent out until it pops back into its original position. Be sure to clip everything back into place before you hit the road!

How to remove scratches from a car bumper

Learning how to remove scratches from a car bumper shouldn't be a trial-and-error process — you can do more harm than good by experimenting and ruin your paint (which will end up costing way more to fix). Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to repair scratches in your car bumper DIY style.

• Faint or light scratches are pretty easy to fix. If you can run your fingernail across it and it doesn't catch, it's minor enough to buff out with sandpaper, a microfiber cloth, and a polishing compound.
• Minor scratches are scratches that are deep enough to damage the base coat but can still be fixed DIY style if you know what you're doing. These scratches can also typically be removed with sandpaper, a microfiber cloth, and a polishing compound.
• Deep or major scratches are a more tedious repair process and involve special tools, as well as paint that matches your vehicle perfectly. We recommend leaving these to the pros.

Get all of your car bumper repair needs handled at Toyota of Orlando's body shop

Have questions about car bumper repair? Whether you need to know how to get a dent out of a car bumper or need to schedule your own repairs with the pros at Toyota of Orlando, call us today. We're open and waiting at 407-298-4500. Toyota of Orlando is conveniently located just off I-4 across from the Mall at Millenia at 3575 Vineland Road.