Fixing dent in front bumper

[mikecb1]

I nudged a low-level protruding piece of angle iron in a multi-storey car park today, and put a small (1 inch long) crease in the front bumper. This is very low down, along side the air intake grille. The paint is undamaged. If this was a metal panel it would be an easy job for one of the paintless dent removal specialists to fix. Does anyone know if equivalent repairs are possible on plastic panels? (I think I know the answer.......)

Mike

[mikecb1]

Update:

I did some research on the Internet, and tried a technique I found there with some success.

To give me access to the back of the bumper I removed the front grille. Still very tight for space, but with some contortions I found I could just reach the rear of the damaged area with my finger tips. Using the wife's hairdryer I slowly and carefully heated the damaged area until it was almost too hot to touch, and then massaged the rear of the bumper with my fingertip. A bit uncomfortable because you need to press quite hard, but most of the dent came out, leaving just a faint line. I tried for several minutes to improve this with little effect (and my fingers were getting very sore). Still, a 90% job, and it only took half an hour. I pass this on in case it's of help to anyone else. The only caution, which I repeat from the website where I found the method, is to be careful not to damage the paint and panel with too much heat. Use a hairdryer not a heat gun, and keep moving it around.

Mike



I nudged a low-level protruding piece of angle iron in a multi-storey car park today, and put a small (1 inch long) crease in the front bumper. This is very low down, along side the air intake grille. The paint is undamaged. If this was a metal panel it would be an easy job for one of the paintless dent removal specialists to fix. Does anyone know if equivalent repairs are possible on plastic panels? (I think I know the answer.......)

Mike