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Home / Collision Repair News / Common Mistakes: Body Filler On Bumpers

Common Mistakes: Body Filler On Bumpers

Posted on 25 February 2019 | Share: | Print Print

When it comes to repairing bumper covers, sometimes common mistakes can be made that will affect the quality and durability of the repair. One common mistake is using body filler and glazes designed for metal substrates on plastic bumper covers.

As you know, bumper covers are designed to flex. So, it makes sense that any material used on a bumper cover should flex with the bumper, right? Body filler and glaze is not meant to flex the way that plastic does, therefore the material would crack. Plastic repair materials should be used when performing repairs on bumper covers. These materials or adhesives, are two-part epoxies, urethanes, or acrylics. All these products are designed to move with the bumper so the material does not crack.

Body filler is also not designed to adhere to a plastic surface the way that it adheres to metal. Most plastics require an adhesion promotor to allow the plastic repair material to adhere to the surface. This ensures that while sanding and while the bumper moves, the material will not chip away or detach from the surface. Check with the product makers of the plastic repair material in order to determine the proper processes to ensure complete, safe, and quality repairs.

Related I-CAR Courses

Course Introduction to Plastics and Single-Sided Repairs

Course Introduction to Two-Sided Plastic Repair

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