cracked front end
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 38
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From: Derby, Ks.
cracked front end Well I was driving home last night around 10pm and some punk kids pushed a shopping cart out in front of me before i had a chance to stop, i hit it. I crack the front end of my T/A. do you guys know what i can use to fix it.
body filler? ect.
body filler? ect.
Fender or bumper cover?
Dont use body filler unless you want it to crack right back out. body filler has entirely different expansion characteristics and will eventually sepperate/crack. 3M makes a couple of very good Semi regid plastic repair adhesives but if the crack is on an edge the panel usually needs to be replaced. I would also suggest having someone that has done these repairs before do the work. Its more involved than just gluing the panel back together, you have to prep the panel correctly, remove any mold release agents, adhesion promoter may be needed, reinforcing mesh, ect.
Dont use body filler unless you want it to crack right back out. body filler has entirely different expansion characteristics and will eventually sepperate/crack. 3M makes a couple of very good Semi regid plastic repair adhesives but if the crack is on an edge the panel usually needs to be replaced. I would also suggest having someone that has done these repairs before do the work. Its more involved than just gluing the panel back together, you have to prep the panel correctly, remove any mold release agents, adhesion promoter may be needed, reinforcing mesh, ect.
So is the crack in the front bumper. Is it cracked all the way through? Or just the clear coat and paint.
Be honest with you I think I would head to a body shop to let them repair it. Any way you look at it you are going to have to have the whole bumper repainted.
Hope you beat the hell out of them punk *** kids.
Sorry for your damage!
Be honest with you I think I would head to a body shop to let them repair it. Any way you look at it you are going to have to have the whole bumper repainted.
Hope you beat the hell out of them punk *** kids.
Sorry for your damage!
Several companies offer products to do the repair right.
Regular body filler will simply chip off.
3M has a flexible bumper repair system. Clean and use their special adhesion promoter, glue the part together, put a woven mat on the backside for strength, then use their flexible parts filler to fill any evidence of the crack. Google 3M™ Automix™ Plastic and Bumper Repair
Fusor, SEM, and other companies sell similar products.
There are also bumper recyclers who repair and repaint OEM bumpers. Supposed to be reasonably priced as well.
There are 'new' bumper covers on ebay, but most are imported cheap poor-fitting junk. Unless it's OEM, I wouldn't want it on my car.
Regular body filler will simply chip off.
3M has a flexible bumper repair system. Clean and use their special adhesion promoter, glue the part together, put a woven mat on the backside for strength, then use their flexible parts filler to fill any evidence of the crack. Google 3M™ Automix™ Plastic and Bumper Repair
Fusor, SEM, and other companies sell similar products.
There are also bumper recyclers who repair and repaint OEM bumpers. Supposed to be reasonably priced as well.
There are 'new' bumper covers on ebay, but most are imported cheap poor-fitting junk. Unless it's OEM, I wouldn't want it on my car.
