Why is it important to repair plastic bumpers?
Bumpers provide crucial insulation for your car against collisions and other impacts. When your car hits another object, the bumpers absorb kinetic energy before any other part of the car. If they are in full working condition, they will dissipate most of that energy, reducing the damage to the structure of your car as well as the risk to you. In collisions under 5 miles per hour, bumpers prevent damage completely.
If bumpers are broken, however, they cannot provide this protection, dramatically increasing the chances of serious injury or death from collisions. Even if an accident does not harm you, it is much more likely to cause serious damage to the car, requiring costly repairs. Damaged bumpers also impact the aerodynamics of your vehicle, causing it to drive less quickly and efficiently. Thus for the sake of your wallet, your car’s performance, and most importantly, your life, it is critical to fix broken bumpers as quickly as possible.
The vast majority of modern bumpers are made of plastic, a material that provides effective shock absorption while minimizing the vehicle’s weight and cost. Badell’s Collision thus specializes in plastic bumper repair, providing quick, sturdy fixes for all manner of dents and tears.
What types of plastics are used in modern bumpers?
Car manufacturers use a variety of plastics to make bumpers. The most common include polycarbonates, polypropylene, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, and thermoplastic olefins or TPOs; many bumpers contain a combination of these different materials. Manufacturers mix these plastics with glass fibers or other materials to strengthen the bumper. This allows them to provide the same impact resistance that metal has, but at a lower cost and with less weight. Many of these plastic materials are also recyclable. A large portion of TPO bumpers, for example, are made from material taken from previous bumpers, increasing the sustainability of automotive production. Badell’s Collision offers quick, effective repairs for all types of bumper plastic.
What tools do you use to make plastic bumper repairs?
We rely on a nitrogen plastic welder to make plastic bumper repairs. This device sprays hot gaseous nitrogen onto the plastic in order to heat it up. Compressed air allows us to establish a consistent temperature, heating the plastic enough to soften it but not so much as to risk burning it. This ensures that the restored plastic is strong and resistant to further damages. Once we have heated up the damaged area of the bumper, we smooth it out, welding torn or broken plastic back into a smooth, consistent surface. We can also weld new materials onto the bumper, which is often necessary to replace plastic that was torn off during a collision.
Using a nitrogen plastic welder allows us to complete repairs quickly without sacrificing quality. By heating and smoothing damaged bumpers, we restore not only your car’s safety features but also it’s aesthetic, leaving the vehicle just as sleek and beautiful as it looked when you first bought it. Friends and family will not even realize that the car was damaged.
Besides heating and smoothing the material, what else does plastic bumper repair involve?
Repairing a bumper requires working around any sensitive devices that are near it— no small matter if the bumper in question is on the front. When making repairs to the front, we disconnect the lights, airbag apparatus, and other devices, and take care not to damage them while we fix the plastic. Here, too, our nitrogen plastic welder gives us an advantage. Its trigger distribution system allows us to carefully control the amount of nitrogen we apply at any time, ensuring that excess gas and heat do not come into contact with other parts of the vehicle.
Can I repair my car’s plastic bumpers on my own?
For minor dents and cracks, it is sometimes possible for drivers to fix their own bumpers. This involves using a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the plastic and then molding it on your own. Individual repairs, however, carry a variety of risks, including the possibility that you could overheat the plastic and prevent it from working properly. We thus recommend that you allow our certified, experienced repair technicians to fix your bumpers for you.
How much does plastic bumper repair cost?
The price of bumper repairs varies based on the extent of the damage, but a typical dented bumper will cost you at least several hundred dollars. Replacing the bumper entirely costs around $900, so it is usually worthwhile to repair all but the most severe damages. Badell’s Collision offers a free online estimate tool to let you calculate likely repair costs ahead of time. Simply enter your location, your insurance company, the damaged area, a description of the damage, and the model, year, manufacturer, and identification number for your vehicle.
Will my insurance policy cover bumper repairs?
If your insurance policy offers coverage for collisions, it should include the cost of plastic bumper repairs, though they are subject to deductibles like most other services. If the cost of repairs is less than the deductible, many drivers choose to pay out of pocket rather than report the damage and risk higher premiums. If you do report the damage, we provide insurance forms for Allstate, Erie Insurance Group, Geico, Liberty Mutual, and Nationwide, as well as a general claim form.
How long do bumper repairs take?
For dents, scratches, and other minor damages to your bumper, we offer comprehensive repairs by the end of the day you submit your car. During this time, we provide onsite car rentals to minimize the inconvenience of waiting for us to finish. More serious bumper damage takes longer to complete, but we strive to finish them as quickly as possible and with minimal inconvenience to you.
What guarantees do you offer for bumpers that you repair?
Like all of our auto body repair work, our bumper repairs come with a lifelong quality guarantee. If you need your car’s bumper repaired, schedule an appointment with Badell’s Collision in Aston or Malvern, Pennsylvania today!
