Will a bit of heat pop this out?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Had a small shunt in the MX-5 a few months back which dented the wing and edge of the bumper. Finally have time to think about fixing it up. It needs a new wing, but having cut back/polished the bumper there only seems to be a slight bit of distortion to one bit. I have heard stories of people attacking things like this with a hairdryer from the back and dent popping out - what are the chances? I only ask because most of the bumpers I have found have frankly looked worse than mine does!



(Old pic, looks much better since being washed and T-cut (no damage to paintwork on the bumper now, just the reflector and the dent to the right and above the sidelight)

[Squiggs]

The pic's not good so it's difficult to tell but I'd wait till you get the wing replaced. Heat will help, but you do have to get it very warm.
You may find that it all falls back into shape but if that doesn't work it could always be filled with the correct filler.

[paintman]

Heat can often be very effective in getting a plastic bumper back to shape & sometimes if the paint is undamaged - & there are no underlying damaged metal brackets holding it out of shape - it can be all you need.
A hair dryer is going to be rather underpowered though.
I use one - or more - infrared lamps to get the area really hot & it may then return to shape on its own or a bit of manipulation either by hand (wear a glove to avoid burns!)or with the aid of PDR tools.
A hot air paint stripper could be used instead but be VERY careful not to overdo it as you WILL damage the paint & quite possibly the plastic itself (Guess how I found that out)

[redgriff500]

I think you'll find its the damaged wing holding it in.

I know several who have repaired worse bumpers by removing and placing them in a bath of boiling water.