If you have a scratched, ripped, split, loose, or broken bumper cover, there are different ways you can fix it. Find out how to fix a broken bumper and how easy it is to replace one with this article and video.
How to Fix a Damaged or Broken Bumper Cover
Fix a Broken and Cracked Bumper with Body Filler
If your car’s bumper is cracked or ripped, you might be able to close the crack with wire-ties, but this isn’t a good long-term solution. You could fill it up with body filler, let it dry, sand it down and paint it. But it may not be cure correctly and it’ll take time to get the right shape.
A fiber glass kit can help you close the gap, and it’s a repair novice DIYers can do. To do this, you’ll need to remove the bumper cover, and it might make more sense for you to replace it if you’re removing it.
More on how to fix a cracked bumper with a fiber glass kit
Heat the Plastic Bumper and Press Any Dents Down
For dents pushing out, you could heat them up with a heat gun or hair dryer. You can try to press them down and maybe fill the area if there’s a divot. But this will also take time and it can be difficult to contour dents.
Wet Sand and Paint Over Any Paint Transfer
If your bumper has paint transfer, you could wet sand the area down and buff it out.
More on how to fix paint transfer
In this example, beyond the paint transfer there is spider-cracking. This bumper took a hit that pushed in on it and cracked the surrounding paint. For this, you could try to repair the bumper by sanding it down. You may have to apply fiber glass filler to certain areas. If the bumper also has a lot of little chips, it’ll take time to fix and it might be better to replace the entire bumper.
How to Replace a Broken Bumper
Replacing scratches on the bumper could take along time. If you’d rather not fix any damage, you can always replace the bumper.
How to fix and replace a broken bumper
- Purchase a New Bumper
You may want to purchase a new bumper if your bumper is cracked, loose, dragging, or broken and damaged in a way beyond repair.
With a new bumper from 1A Auto, you’ll save on shipping and you can unfold it, paint it, and install it with our how-to videos. - Paint the Bumper
You can find paint that matches the exact color of your vehicle. You can still use paint rattle cans and create a professional look.
More on how to paint a plastic bumper with spray cans
You can also have a local body shop paint the bumper, and you can save money by installing it yourself. - Remove the Bumper
Removing the bumper yourself can be a simple repair. Generally, you’ll have to remove push-pins from above the grille. You may have to remove a splash shield that lays underneath the vehicle, and any bolts from the bumper, like at the corners in the wheel well. You’ll then need to pull each corner of the bumper out, and lift it up and off the vehicle.
Here are some general steps for removing and installing the bumper
Video: How to Remove a Bumper from a 2000 to 2007 Volvo V70
1. Remove the clips from the top of the bumper
2. Pry off any trim pieces from the bumper cover’s exterior
3. Remove the bolts from the front and side of the bumper cover
4. Pull the bumper cover out to loosen and disconnect it
5. Disconnect any electrical connectors
6. Remove the bumper
7. Line the bumper into place
8. Connect the electrical connectors
9. Tighten the bolts to the front and side of the bumper
10. Press on any exterior trim pieces to the bumper
11. Push in the clips to the top of the bumper
