Does a cracked car front bumper need to be repaired?
3 Answers
Does a cracked car front bumper need to be repaired? The steps for bumper repair are: 1. Remove the bumper; 2. Align the bumper crack and secure it with transparent tape; 3. Plug in the soldering iron, flip the bumper over to inspect the internal crack, wait for the soldering iron to reach the appropriate temperature, then use it to melt and fix the internal crack along its direction; 4. Weld along the crack with a PP welding rod using a plastic welding gun; 5. Remove the transparent tape used for the bumper crack, go over the crack with the soldering iron again, sand the area treated with the soldering iron and areas needing touch-up with 400-grit coarse sandpaper until smooth, apply putty, and let it dry; 6. Sand with wet coarse sandpaper, then with fine sandpaper until smooth, rinse clean, wipe dry with a clean cloth, and let it dry; 7. Apply paint; 8. Let it dry for a few hours, then reinstall the front bumper panel.
If you ask me whether a cracked front bumper should be repaired, I would say it absolutely needs attention. Because the bumper isn’t just for decoration—it absorbs impact in accidents to protect the front of the car and passenger safety. If it’s cracked, its protective capability is greatly reduced. A small crack can turn into a big one, and during rainy days, water and dust can easily get inside, corroding internal components. I’ve seen a friend’s car with a similar issue left unrepaired, and the entire bumper fell off on the highway due to bumps, resulting in much costlier and more dangerous repairs. I recommend you visit a professional repair shop as soon as possible. Small cracks can be welded to save some money, while larger ones may require a full replacement—don’t delay. Safety comes first; a few hundred dollars in repair costs are far more worthwhile than risking an accident.
To be honest, the biggest impact of not repairing a cracked bumper is on the car's appearance—it looks shabby and unpleasant. When I traded in my previous car, the small crack on the front bumper caused a depreciation of several thousand dollars. Additionally, plastic bumpers are prone to aging, and if the crack remains exposed, UV rays can accelerate the spread of the damage. Rainwater might even seep into the engine bay, leading to other issues. From my experience, assess the location and size of the crack: minor side gaps can be temporarily fixed with touch-up paint glue, but a large central crack requires immediate replacement. Don’t underestimate this issue—it can compromise the car’s structural integrity and long-term value.
