Hey guys! My front bumper looks so scratched up and pathetic right now, this summer I was going to have it sanded and repainted. I found a small crack, maybe about two inches, running from the passenger side turn signal down, and just sorta ending. I suppose I'll have to have the whole darn bumper cover replaced if I want that taken care of? There's no epoxy or anything like that which could be done, is there? Thanks!

-Bill

 

When I got my front end fixed they had to replace the bumper cover...and mine only had a tear that was about an inch long

 

there is some stuff you can buy if you go to your local autobody supplier and ask for some plastic bumper cover filler. at first i tried just sanding it down and then making it smooth and feathering it in with the rest of the body...but it evenually cracked 5 months later. then i tried body filler, that last about 8 months. then i went ahead and spent some extra money on the bumper filler and its spot less...1 year down the road and not a crack, not even a spider crack.

 

Yes it is possible to fix the crack. but you will have to drill a small hole at the end of the crack. Use 1/8 " drill bit. This will keep the crack (tear) from going any further. Next you will need to "V" the crack. What I mean is cut a groove in the crack but not all the way through. It will be best to use a die grinder like the kind used to port heads. however do not grind all the way through the bumper cover. The groove should be probably a 1/4 " wide and about 1/8" deep. Next hold the bumper stable where you can epoxy it and in is in the right shape. Then place some tape on the back side of the bumper cover, this will help the application.
I would reccomend using 3-M Brand adhesive. I have always had good luck with thier flexible repair products. You get what you pay for so if may be allitle more expensive but it is still cheaper to do the repair just once. You are going to want to use a semi-rigid type epoxy for your bumper cover. allow ample time to dry before sanding the product. and it may be needed to put a THIN wipe of body filler over the plastic repair to eliminate Pin holes in the epoxy. Finish your sanding scratches with 180 grit before primer and use a flexible primer..........
If you want your bumper yo look flawless it may be in your best interest to leave it to us pros. But that is just my 2 cents worth. And good luck,
Chris Webster

 

My brother, a mechanic in the Cleveland, OH area, suggested these 3 sites for auto body parts:

www.expressbodyparts.com

www.autobodypartsonline.com

www.autopartsland.com


I was browsing these sites this morning looking for a front bumper cover for my 95Z and it looks like I can get one in primer for app. $85.00 plus shipping. All I would need to do would be to install it and have it painted.