Can you straighten a plastic bumper after damage
Discussion
Hi
Young son's i10
Someone clipped his back bumper (in Lidl, Oban) this afternoon and he's a bit annoyed.
(they left a note, looks like an old persons wobbly handwriting).
Anyway, couple of paint chips which I can touch in happily but the bumper is slightly distorted (see photos).
I'm guessing I can straighten this with a little bit of warmth? Not blow torch temp obviously. Boiling water?
Any suggestions please, could go to the professionals but would rather save the aggro.
Thanks
Young son's i10
Someone clipped his back bumper (in Lidl, Oban) this afternoon and he's a bit annoyed.
(they left a note, looks like an old persons wobbly handwriting).
Anyway, couple of paint chips which I can touch in happily but the bumper is slightly distorted (see photos).
I'm guessing I can straighten this with a little bit of warmth? Not blow torch temp obviously. Boiling water?
Any suggestions please, could go to the professionals but would rather save the aggro.
Thanks
As you have had no replies, and in the spirit of giving your post a "bump", I'll try to help; but I'm far from usefull with bodywork and it's certain someone more knowledgable will be along in a bit 
I improved a dent in my Astra with carefull use of a heat gun, peeling back the wheel liner for better access, and using a rounded implement tried to "roll it out" as it warmed from the extremity of the dent inwards.
It was only partially successful as my car had been dented for ages, was like that when I bought it; I imagine a new dent would push out easier.
BTW there are several you tube videos showing how to do this, can't remember if hot water is an option?
I gave it a go because my car is 19 years old and not worth much; if your son's car has some valuable I would get some more expert advice than this.
Hope this helps.
I improved a dent in my Astra with carefull use of a heat gun, peeling back the wheel liner for better access, and using a rounded implement tried to "roll it out" as it warmed from the extremity of the dent inwards.
It was only partially successful as my car had been dented for ages, was like that when I bought it; I imagine a new dent would push out easier.
BTW there are several you tube videos showing how to do this, can't remember if hot water is an option?
I gave it a go because my car is 19 years old and not worth much; if your son's car has some valuable I would get some more expert advice than this.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for the "bump" 
No pun intended?
Tried boiling water yesterday on a sponge so could hold it there (and scald my fingers at the same time).
Has definitely improved things and maybe if you weren't looking for it you'd not see it now.
It's my son's car, his first, he doesn't use it that much but he likes to look after it, parking usually where it's safe! etc.
Could chase the person who left a number on the car but that would probably cause as much hassle as me doing something myself and the actual damage other than the bumper distortion is tiny with two very small chips which I touched in last night.
No pun intended?Tried boiling water yesterday on a sponge so could hold it there (and scald my fingers at the same time).
Has definitely improved things and maybe if you weren't looking for it you'd not see it now.
It's my son's car, his first, he doesn't use it that much but he likes to look after it, parking usually where it's safe! etc.
Could chase the person who left a number on the car but that would probably cause as much hassle as me doing something myself and the actual damage other than the bumper distortion is tiny with two very small chips which I touched in last night.
You're welcome!
If you dont have a heat gun, hairdryer not too close and sweeps over area rather than holding steady, watch for overheating and give it a push from behind. Maybe get it fully out?
Disclaimer: As per my earlier post I'm far from an expert. All my cars are end of life; makes it easy to "practice" a repair without effecting any sell on value....some stuff has gone well, some hasnt
If I had a decent car I probably wouldn't do some of the stuff I do.
Good luck.
ps....No, the pun was unintentional!
If you dont have a heat gun, hairdryer not too close and sweeps over area rather than holding steady, watch for overheating and give it a push from behind. Maybe get it fully out?
Disclaimer: As per my earlier post I'm far from an expert. All my cars are end of life; makes it easy to "practice" a repair without effecting any sell on value....some stuff has gone well, some hasnt
If I had a decent car I probably wouldn't do some of the stuff I do.
Good luck.
ps....No, the pun was unintentional!
Hi there, I'm a painter/run a bodyshop. You've done a great job there, basically as per the other posts, you need to apply heat then manipulate it back into shape and hold it in place while it cools back down.
To finish you job we would then treat it as any metal work repair, so sand it back to get it absolutely flat, a skim of plastic filler if needed, then primer, colour and lacquer, but for a quick repair to get it to look better you cant go much further than you already have. It will also always have a bit of memory from the damage and the only way to deal with it once its as close as it can be with heat is either sanding if its hing, or filling if its low..
Heat from a hot air gun or hairdryer is better than hot water simply because you can apply that heat in a lot more controlled manner and direct it onto the affected area.
If they left a number you could contact a local Smart repair service to deal with it, for a bumper corner you are looking at a ballpark of about £250ish, so under a lot of insurance excesses.
To finish you job we would then treat it as any metal work repair, so sand it back to get it absolutely flat, a skim of plastic filler if needed, then primer, colour and lacquer, but for a quick repair to get it to look better you cant go much further than you already have. It will also always have a bit of memory from the damage and the only way to deal with it once its as close as it can be with heat is either sanding if its hing, or filling if its low..
Heat from a hot air gun or hairdryer is better than hot water simply because you can apply that heat in a lot more controlled manner and direct it onto the affected area.
If they left a number you could contact a local Smart repair service to deal with it, for a bumper corner you are looking at a ballpark of about £250ish, so under a lot of insurance excesses.
Edited by DaveF-SkinnysAutos on Saturday 18th July 10:49
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