3 Steps Auto Body Technicians Follow When Repairing Bumper Damage

Repairing or replacing a bumper was once a pretty easy task. Usually, you unbolted the bumper from the body, did the work that needed doing, and bolted it back on. Nowadays, though, bumpers are typically a part of the vehicle’s body, and there are often various components integrated into them. This leads to greater labour requirements, and a greater cost, for repairs.

Curious about what it takes to repair a modern bumper? Here’s a look at some of the most important steps in the process. If you end up working in auto body repair, odds are good that you will end up performing this process fairly often.

Step 1: Auto Body Technicians Will Disconnect Components and Remove the Bumper

Cars are getting more advanced, and often pack their tech away inside of their bumpers. Everything from wiring, to proximity sensors, backup cameras, and beyond, can be found in modern bumpers. This means that one of the first steps you will have to take when repairing a bumper will be disconnecting all of these components. Only after doing this will you be able to safely detach the bumper and begin your restoration work.

Depending on how complex the systems are in the bumper, this step alone can take several hours, which means the labour costs for this kind of repair work tend to add up quickly.

Step 2: Auto Body Repair Technicians Then Repair Any Bumper Imperfections

Once everything has been disconnected, the next task for an auto body technician is to repair the bumper itself. Dents and cracks can be sanded or ground down, and then filled in with plastic or resin to restore the bumper to a smooth, complete look.

With some dents, you may even find it is possible to simply push the dent out. This is typically done by using a professional heating tool to raise the temperature of the affected portion of the bumper, and then popping the dent out once the heating has been completed. You will need to rely on your training to know when each method is appropriate, as differences in dent shape and the bumper’s material will require different approaches.

Step 3: Once a Bumper Is Properly Shaped, Technicians Can Paint and Reinstall It

Lastly, a bumper must be painted and reinstalled on the vehicle. Before an auto body repair technician can begin with the painting portion, it’s important that the bumper is smooth and clean. Sanding of the repaired portions may be necessary, and a thorough washing of the bumper should always be performed.

Next, you will need to attempt to match the colour of the bumper to that of the rest of the vehicle. Several coats are usually used, and the overall process of painting the bumper often takes a few hours.

Once that is complete, you will be all set to install the bumper back onto the car. Again, this process will likely take a good amount of time, as multiple components may need to be reconnected. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours getting a bumper installed correctly.

Repairing a bumper is surprisingly complicated now. It involves a lot of care, many different components, and often results in a large bill for the customer. Be prepared for even minor bumper damage to require a good amount of your time and expertise to deal with.

Are you thinking about taking on auto body technician careers?

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