Proven ways to remove scratches on a car bumper yourself
Scratches on the bumper spoil the appearance of the car. Their appearance is undesirable, but even the most careful drivers are not immune from accidental damage to the car.
Both the front and rear bumpers suffer from tree branches, small stones and various obstacles in parking lots. If a problem occurs, you need to take measures to eliminate it.
Read the article on how to effectively remove scratches on a bumper.
Content
How can I repair damage to my car?
You can remove the defect using inexpensive means, including: wax pencil or polish. They cope with shallow scratches located in the top layer of paint.
Polishing
Polishing will get rid of scuffs and scratches on the bumper. After this treatment, the part acquires an attractive appearance. Procedure:
- For ease of work, the bumper can be removed. It is washed to remove road dust and dirt, and wait until the surface is completely dry.
- Degrease the part using any solvent, for example, white spirit.
- If the scratches are large, they are sanded using P2000 sandpaper. To prevent it from damaging the surface, it is recommended to soak it in water for 15 minutes. During the grouting process it is constantly moistened.
- If the scratches are small, you can do without sanding.A paste with a coarse abrasive is immediately applied to them and evenly distributed with a polishing machine. A white circle is used as a nozzle. Work is carried out at low speeds with their gradual increase to 2500.
- Don't put too much pressure on the machine. Her position will definitely change. If you polish the bumper in the same place for too long, it will be damaged. After completion of the work, the car is wiped with a soft cloth that does not leave lint behind.
- The final stage is polishing the structure with a fine abrasive paste. An orange circle is used as a nozzle.
To give the bumper a shine, it is treated with a non-abrasive paste and a circle with a black nozzle.
The video will show you how to remove scratches without painting the bumper:
Wax pencil
To remove shallow and thin damage, use a wax pencil. Mode of application:
- clean and degrease the surface using a solvent;
- dry the part, since the pencil will not work on a wet surface;
- carefully paint over the scratch - use a pencil to sort of shade the surface of the bumper;
- remove excess product.
Popular brands of wax pencils:
- Kerry body corrector pencil. Price – 150 rubles.
- Runway pencil "Pen Scratch Away Winner". Price – 240 rubles.
- Doctor Wax body pencil for painting over scratches. Price – 480 rubles.
Hairdryer
You can deal with shallow scratches using a hair dryer. To complete the work, you will need a degreasing compound, such as alcohol.
Procedure:
- the surface of the bumper is degreased to remove dust particles and other contaminants;
- the area where the scratch is located is heated with a hairdryer - under the influence of high temperature, the plastic begins to melt and straighten;
- To prevent a dent from appearing on the bumper instead of a scratch, you need to heat it evenly.
You should not bring the device too close to the car so that the part being processed does not become deformed. Only an unpainted bumper can be heated with a hairdryer.
How to remove deep marks on a plastic bumper by painting it?
Sometimes it will not be possible to do without painting the damaged part. This method is relevant when the scratches are deep.
The work is carried out in several stages:
- The problem area is cleaned of dirt, degreased and sanded. First, use P2000 sandpaper (it is pre-moistened in water), after which the surface is treated with a rubber squeegee and fine-grained sandpaper.
- Apply a primer to the cleaned part. It is necessary to level the surface. The sanded area is cleaned, a degreaser is applied over it and primed in several layers. Leave the part to dry for a day. After the specified time, the primer is cleaned. This is done so that the paint lies evenly.
- Paint the bumper. The coloring composition can be applied specifically or on its entire surface. It is most convenient to use a spray bottle.
- After the paint has dried, the bumper is polished to give it a beautiful shine.
Features of removal from painted and unpainted plastic
The painted bumper can be treated with a wax pencil or polish.
If the damage is deep and covers a large area, more extensive work will be required with sanding and subsequent painting of the product.
When degreasing a painted structure, it is better to use products without acetone in the composition, for example, alcohol. Unpainted parts can be cleaned with solvents.
Parts without paint are not afraid of high-temperature treatment. Therefore, you can use a hair dryer to eliminate defects. For sanding, sandpaper is used, which smoothes the surface well.
Metal part repair
Modern cars with metal bumpers are a rarity. However, unlike plastic parts, they require immediate repair. If you continue to drive with a scratched structure, it will begin to rust. The area of damage will continue to increase.
If the scratches are small, you can use a wax pencil to repair them.. When the damage is deep, painting is indispensable.
It also happens that the defect reaches the very base of the metal. In this case, a rust converter is first used, after which the part is sanded, primed and painted. The more serious the defect, the more difficult it is to cope with it on your own. If the part is severely damaged, you cannot do without the help of specialists.
Chip protection
To avoid having to regularly treat the bumper from scratches and chips, it needs protection. Possible options:
- Kanguryatnik. It is mounted on the bumper at the front or rear. This part is made of pipes.Improved designs help prevent damage not only to the bumper, but also to the bottom of the car.
- Molding. It is represented by a plastic strip that is glued or screwed onto the bumper.
- Liquid case. This is a silicone based gel. Its use allows you to protect the part from minor damage. The composition is short-lived, so it is recommended to use it only before long trips.
- Masking tape. This is the most inexpensive method of protection, but also the most ineffective. It will not save you from damage, but it will help you avoid difficult to remove stains and minimal scratches from appearing on the bumper.
Helpful information
Tips for removing scratches from a car bumper:
- It is most convenient to work with a bumper that has been removed from the car. This is especially true when polishing, grinding or painting the part is required.
- If a part is sanded, the sandpaper must be moistened with water. Also, the surface of the bumper is moistened during the work process.
- When choosing a primer, you need to clarify what material it is used for: metal or plastic.
- It is recommended to always keep a wax pencil in the car. It can be used immediately after minor damage is detected.
- A hair dryer is used not only to remove scratches, but also to smooth out small dents. To do this, suction cups are used on a heated deformed surface.
A lot of useful and important information about methods and means of removing scratches on a car can be found Here.
Conclusion
You can get rid of scratches on the bumper on your own. Minor defects are quickly masked with improvised means. It will take longer to deal with deep damage: they must be sanded and painted over.