Differences Between Bumper Replacement and Dent Repair

Sooner or later, every car needs some maintenance work. Some of the most common repairs that vehicles may need are dented bumpers. The way mechanics choose to deal with a dented bumper, though, depends on how much damage it has experienced. Bumper dent repair is one of the most important vehicle maintenance tasks to take care of when you visit your local body shop. In some situations, you can repair the damage, but in more serious cases, a full bumper replacement may be the way to go. Today, we highlight some of the key differences between bumper replacement and dent repair.

What Kinds of Damage Are Repairable?

The decision of whether to repair a bumper or replace it depends on the severity of the damage. You can have a bumper fixed if it only experienced cosmetic issues. Professionals can reshape minor dents that remain on the surface so that the entire car part doesn’t need repairs. Similarly, they can refinish and patch up tiny holes, cracks, and tears.

If you only have some minor damage, you can perform adequate bumper dent repair at home with a kit found at your local hardware store or auto parts shop. However, that’s mostly for smaller dents, so you may want to seek professional body shop help for anything more substantial.

When Should You Replace a Bumper?

A bumper can receive so much damage that it’s no longer repairable. In such a case, you’ll need to get a replacement. The differences between bumper replacement and dent repair usually depend on the depth of the problem. If the bumper has a large cut or indent, a professional mechanic will need to replace it.

If the vehicle is in a collision, the damage is likely so severe that it requires a replacement. Drivers with busted bumpers should get them replaced as soon as they can. When a bumper experiences intense impairment during an accident, the hooks or fasteners that hold the bumper to the vehicle may become loose. This harms the structural integrity of the bumper.

Conclusion

While driving with minor dents may just make you look irresponsible, driving with a heavily dented bumper is dangerous. If the bumper has serious damages, it could fall off the car on the highway, putting you and other drivers in danger. Pay close attention to the damage your vehicle undergoes, and bring it to the mechanic to be fixed if necessary. And if you’re searching for paintless dent repairs in Chicago, contact River North Collision Repair.