Is it necessary to repaint a scratched bumper?
4 Answers
It is not necessary to repaint a scratched bumper. Here is a detailed introduction about automotive paint: Overview: The main function of automotive paint is to protect the car body from corrosion. Additionally, automotive paint enhances the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle. Automotive paint is a type of coating. The purpose of a paint booth is to provide a clean, safe, and well-lit environment for automotive painting, ensuring that the painting process is free from dust interference and maintains high-quality results. Composition: Automotive paint mainly consists of resin, pigment, additives, fillers, curing agents, and solvents. Metallic automotive paint usually includes reflective aluminum flakes, while pearlescent paint often contains mica particles.
I've been driving for over ten years and bumper scrapes are pretty common. This area isn't usually noticeable unless you squat down to look, so there's really no need to rush for a repaint. A full bumper repaint costs several hundred bucks and requires leaving your car at the shop for days. If the plastic shows through the primer, just use a touch-up pen for a few spots - you can get one online for tens of yuan. Check how deep the scratch is; if the black plastic isn't exposed, even toothpaste can help fade it. If it really bothers you, spend 20-30 yuan to buy a matching lower guard panel to cover it - way cheaper and easier than repainting. Plastic bumpers don't rust anyway, and when you change cars in a few years, no one will notice minor flaws in this spot.
I totally relate to this! Last week I scraped the bottom of my bumper while reversing. The mark is so hidden you have to lie on the ground to see it. I agonized over whether to repaint it and got quotes from three repair shops: a roadside garage quoted 400 yuan, while the dealership demanded 800 yuan upfront. Actually, for this kind of damage, you don't need a full bumper repaint—spot touch-up can be done for under 200 yuan. The most budget-friendly method is to buy a spray can from an auto parts market, follow the instructions to sand and apply filler, then spray two thin coats—the result is surprisingly decent. Beginners might struggle with uneven application though, so practicing on scrap plastic panels first helps. Just remember, as long as structural safety isn't compromised, scratches in such locations are purely cosmetic issues.
If I were to deal with scratches on the bumper, I would follow three steps: First, assess the extent of the damage. For minor scratches, rubbing with coarse wax can fade them; if the plastic is exposed but the area is small, a touch-up pen will do. Then consider the vehicle's usage environment—if it frequently goes to construction sites, fixing it today only to get scratched again tomorrow is a waste of money. Finally, look at the car's color—white cars with black marks are noticeable and should be addressed, while dark-colored cars can easily ignore them. My uncle's black SUV hasn't had its underside scratches fixed in five years, and they're invisible when washed. The key is that plastic parts don't rust, so repairs are more about psychological comfort. If it's a new car and you're concerned, go to a quick repair shop for spot spraying, which can be done for under 200 yuan.
