Bumpers and plastics
The bumper takes the first hit from a kerb, a garage ramp or a car park knock. Very often it can be repaired rather than replaced.
Why repair your bumper
Less waste
Repairing a bumper that can be saved avoids throwing away a large plastic part, which fits with the way we work.
Often cheaper
A crack, a scuff or a broken tab can usually be repaired. If it isn't worth it, we'll tell you and replace it.
Brackets and reinforcement checked
Behind the bumper there are brackets, guides and an inner reinforcement. We always check them, even when the knock looks minor from outside.
What's included
Plastics are worked differently from metal. These are the most common jobs.
Crack and split repair
We join the crack from the inside and reinforce the area so it doesn't open up again.
Tabs and mountings
We rebuild broken tabs or replace brackets so the bumper sits firmly and lines up properly.
Preparing the plastic
We use primer designed for plastics, which paint needs to bond and stay put.
Paint and colour match
We paint the bumper to match the body, as the same colour can look different on plastic and metal.
Careful removal and refitting
We remove and refit grilles, mouldings, fog lights and other parts housed in the bumper, leaving it properly aligned.
Bumpers that are badly shattered, have lots of broken tabs or are heat-distorted don't always repair well. In those cases we'll recommend a new part.
Plastics can be repaired too
Most modern bumpers are plastic, and many of the knocks they take can be repaired. A split on the corner, a scrape along a wall or a tab snapped on a kerb can be fixed as long as the part isn't badly shattered. We work the crack from behind, reinforce it and leave the outer face ready for paint with as little body filler as possible.
Preparation is what counts. Plastic is flexible and doesn't behave like metal: without the right primer, paint can peel over time or crack at the first knock. That's why we treat each material with the product it needs, and let each layer dry for as long as it takes before moving on to the next. Rushing this stage is the most common reason bumper paint fails a few months after a repair.
On most plastics, filler and paint won't grip on their own. So after sanding and degreasing with a plastic-safe cleaner, we apply an adhesion promoter. With a crack, the edges are lined up first, a small hole is drilled at the end so it can't spread, and the edges are bevelled to give the repair more surface to bond to.
What's behind the bumper
A knock that looks minor can break brackets, shift the inner reinforcement or bend the side guides. If a bumper goes back on damaged brackets, it won't line up with the wings and headlights, and at the first pothole it will rattle or come loose. That's why we take it off and check what's behind before deciding on the repair.
- Bumper brackets and side guides.
- Inner reinforcement or crash absorber.
- Fog lights, grilles and mouldings.
- Inner front panel and headlight mountings.
- Wheel arch liners and lower fixings.
Other plastic parts
As well as bumpers, we repair and paint other plastic parts: mirror caps, mouldings, spoilers, wheel arch trims and side skirts. Unpainted black plastics that have turned grey in the sun can also get back some of their original look with the right treatment; we'll take a look and tell you honestly whether it's worth it.
The bumper colour has to match the body, and that isn't always simple: the same colour can look slightly different on plastic and on metal. That's why we take the same care over colour matching as with any partial respray, backed by our lifetime paint warranty.
If the knock involved another vehicle, your insurer or theirs may cover it; we handle that through our insurer liaison service. If not, we'll give you a written estimate comparing repair and replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth repairing a bumper or is a new one better?
It depends on the damage. Splits, scuffs and broken tabs usually repair well. If it's badly broken or distorted, replacing it tends to make more sense. We give you both options where it makes sense.
Why has the paint peeled off my bumper?
It's usually down to poor plastic preparation in an earlier repair, or knocks that have flexed the part. We check it and prepare it properly.
Why is my bumper out of line after a small knock?
Usually a tab or side guide has snapped. We take it off, repair or replace the bracket and line it up again.
Can you collect the car to fix the bumper?
Yes, we offer collection and delivery. Ask us about availability in your area.
We work with your insurance company
If your car has suffered an incident covered by your insurance, you don't have to be the go-between: we coordinate with your insurer and its loss adjuster so the repair is authorised and done properly.
It's one of the reasons many customers come to us: less paperwork, fewer phone calls and the car back the way it should be.
How we handle it- You choose the garageAs a rule you can take your car to the garage you prefer; we help you check what your policy says.
- We deal with the loss adjusterWe prepare the damage assessment and go through it with your insurer's loss adjuster.
- We collect and deliverIf it suits you better, we pick the car up and bring it back repaired.
- We keep you postedYou always know what stage the repair is at.
Other bodywork and paint services
Panel repair
We straighten, repair or replace damaged body panels and get them ready for paint.
See serviceDents and dings
Car park dings, door knocks and minor dents: we remove them, often without the need to repaint.
See serviceAccident repair
From the claim to handover: we repair bodywork, structure and paint after an accident and work with your insurer.
See serviceChassis jig and structural repair
We check and correct your car's structure on a chassis jig after heavy impacts, bringing it back to factory measurements.
See serviceFull respray
We paint the whole car, in its original colour or a new one, with thorough preparation and a lifetime paint warranty.
See servicePartial respray
We paint only the damaged panel or area and match the colour so there's no visible difference with the rest.
See serviceWhat people often believe, and what actually happens
Six ideas we often hear at the garage that are worth clearing up.
“A car that's been in an accident is never right again.”
If the structure is brought back to its measurements on a jig and joints, sealing and protection are reproduced as at the factory, the repair is sound and safe.
“My insurer decides where my car is repaired.”
As a rule you can choose the garage. Some policies offer perks at their partner garages: we help you read yours before you decide.
“A small dent can wait.”
A scrape that lifts the paint leaves bare metal exposed. With the sun and salty air in the south of the island, corrosion sets in sooner than you think.
“Eco-friendly paint is lower quality.”
A paint with fewer solvents can give an equally durable finish. What makes the difference is the preparation and the application.
“A used car that looks good has never been in a crash.”
A well-polished respray can go unnoticed at first glance. A paint thickness gauge and a check of panel gaps, sealing and welds give it away.
“It doesn't matter where it's painted: paint is paint.”
What you can't see —surface preparation, anti-corrosion protection and painting in a booth— is what decides how long the repair lasts.
Shall we prepare an estimate?
Tell us what your car needs and we'll reply with a written estimate, with no obligation.
Do the online check-in: your details, the vehicle and photos of the damage, from your phone before you come.
Check your car in online- Written estimateBefore we start you know what will be done and what it costs.
- No obligationWe give you the estimate; you decide.
- Collection & deliveryIf it suits you, we come and pick up the car.
Request an estimate
Tell us what's wrong with the car. For bodywork or paint, photos via WhatsApp help a lot.
Rather talk? Call us on 922 73 64 47 or message us on WhatsApp at 674 06 13 71.