How to Repair a Dented Car Bumper?
3 Answers
Methods to repair a dented car bumper: 1. Use hot water. Most front and rear bumpers of household cars currently on the market are made of special plastic materials. Hot water can restore the dented body as the plastic softens when heated. Simply heat the dented area to pop it out; 2. Push from behind after relieving pressure. You can try removing one of the car's screws, reach inside the bumper from the back, and push forcefully to restore it; 3. Use dent repair tools. Although bumpers are highly malleable, sometimes the force from hot water expansion alone is insufficient to push out the dent. In such cases, external force is needed, and dent repair tools can perfectly meet this requirement.
Last time I reversed into a bollard, the bumper got a palm-sized dent. The mechanic told me that plastic bumpers can actually be restored to their original shape: first evenly heat the back of the dent with a heat gun to soften the material, then use a specialized suction cup tool to pull it out from the front. The key is to adjust the force while heating, and finally use cold water to quickly set the shape. The mechanic said if the dent covers more than 30% of the area or the plastic is torn, don’t force a repair—just replace it for safety. I’ve tried fixing small dents myself by heating them with a hairdryer and using a toilet plunger to pull them out, and it actually worked—but this only suits thin bumpers. If it doesn’t work, remember to seek professional repair promptly.
I've figured out three approaches to fixing bumper dents: First is traditional bodywork and repainting, which involves removing the bumper, sanding it smooth, applying filler, and then painting. It costs around 700-800 RMB but delivers the most flawless results. Second is paintless dent repair (PDR), where dents are pushed out from the inside to preserve the original factory paint. This costs 200-300 RMB but only works for dents without creases. Third is the DIY method, using hot water to soften the plastic before pushing out the dent. It's cost-effective but risks cracking the paint. If the crack exceeds 5 cm or the mounting clips are broken, insurance companies usually recommend replacing the part. Important reminder: Always test the radar sensor sensitivity after repairing bumpers with radar holes!
