Is it necessary to repair bumper scratches?
3 Answers
Bumper scratches affect the appearance of the car body, so it is necessary to repair them. If you feel that they do not affect the appearance, you can choose not to repair them—this depends on the owner's preference. The bumper is a plastic component, and after scratches, the paint surface will be damaged. Once the paint is damaged, the black plastic underneath will be exposed, which significantly impacts the car's aesthetics. It is recommended to visit a 4S shop to repaint the entire bumper. Methods to handle bumper scratches: 1. Toothpaste filling: Toothpaste is not a method to repair car paint but rather a temporary remedy to prevent further erosion when scratches are severe; 2. Polishing and waxing: For lighter scratches, polishing and waxing can make the marks much less noticeable; 3. Scratch repair pen: For slightly larger scratches, a touch-up pen can be used as an emergency solution.
Whether to repair a scratched bumper depends on the situation. If the scratch is shallow, just a bit of surface paint chipped off, and the bumper is plastic and won't rust, there's no need to rush to spend money on fixing it. I've been in this situation before—someone scratched my car while parking, and while it didn't look great, it didn't affect driving, so I left it unrepaired. Waiting until the next insurance claim to fix it saves money, or you can just buy a spray can and touch it up yourself. The repair cost can be quite high—professional paint jobs cost hundreds or even thousands, while DIY fixes are cheaper (around a few dozen bucks) but with worse results. The key is not to compromise safety; as long as the bumper isn't deformed or punctured and driving isn't affected, it's fine. New car owners might care more about appearance, but as a practical person like me, it's more cost-effective to accumulate some damage and fix it all at once. Remember to check it during car washes to prevent further damage.
When the bumper gets scratched, my personal experience is to first assess the severity. For minor scratches or superficial damage, plastic materials won't rust or deteriorate like metal, so you can leave it for later. For repairs, you'll need to visit an auto repair shop, and labor costs aren't cheap—last time, even a slight scratch cost me a few hundred, which hurt. Just be mindful of protection when driving, like not parking too close to avoid secondary collisions. If the scratch is deeper and affects the structure or appearance, it's better to get it fixed—at least to keep the car looking sharp. But in most cases, if it doesn't affect driving safety, don't rush; wait until you've accumulated enough scars or address it during routine maintenance. You can also use stickers to cover it up—cost-effective and practical. In short, balancing your wallet and the car's appearance is the most practical approach.
