Fixing dent on bumper

davidyan · 12-21-2009, 01:12 AM

So I have a very tiny dent on the front bumper, I would post a pic but its probably difficult to see.

I tried applying a blow dryer to it and then pushing back but it only got about 10% out. I called a dent specialist over who used the same approach but with a heat gun and he got another 60% our or so. Since he didn't fix it completely, he didn't charge but I still have the remaining 20% of the dent showing and was wondering if anyone had any good tips for getting it out. thanks.

kannibul · 12-21-2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidyan

So I have a very tiny dent on the front bumper, I would post a pic but its probably difficult to see.

I tried applying a blow dryer to it and then pushing back but it only got about 10% out. I called a dent specialist over who used the same approach but with a heat gun and he got another 60% our or so. Since he didn't fix it completely, he didn't charge but I still have the remaining 20% of the dent showing and was wondering if anyone had any good tips for getting it out. thanks.

That's about the limit I would go. You could always replace the bumper.

I wouldn't imagine anything will make it "perfect" again, short of replace/repaint.

Trips · 12-21-2009, 01:40 AM

Remove the bumper, and heat it up, and push it out carefully..

SpawnAeroJohn · 12-21-2009, 11:38 AM

Why even think about replacing the bumper? Push comes to shove take it to a body shop, have them sand it, bondo it, repaint it.

Or if the dent is on a flat part of the bumper like really flat. Remove the bumper, lay that section down on a flat piece of metal, heat the bumper with a heat gun or a torch, then take a ball point body hammer or something of the sort and rub it back and forward over the dent from behind which will push the high spots down and once it touches the metal it wont go any further and that will be level. Then pour cold water on it to make the plastic stiffen again.

That should do it!

kannibul · 12-21-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpawnAeroJohn

Why even think about replacing the bumper? Push comes to shove take it to a body shop, have them sand it, bondo it, repaint it.

Or if the dent is on a flat part of the bumper like really flat. Remove the bumper, lay that section down on a flat piece of metal, heat the bumper with a heat gun or a torch, then take a ball point body hammer or something of the sort and rub it back and forward over the dent from behind which will push the high spots down and once it touches the metal it wont go any further and that will be level. Then pour cold water on it to make the plastic stiffen again.

That should do it!

I'd be worried about ruining the paint, which then you'd have a bigger problem to contend with.

SpawnAeroJohn · 12-21-2009, 12:45 PM

Lol yes that is a problem. Its one of those things where you have to know when enough is enough. You can always tape up the front area so that it doesn’t scratch anything when you flip it face down, and then use goo off or w.e that item is called to remove the residue from the tape since the heat would cause some to stick to the bumper.

What you can always try doing first is taking a round metal object like the back end of a body hammer (the one that has a ball on one side), heat the area up, then slowly rub it from the back. There are some you tube videos you can find under "PDR, Paintless dent repair". There are also kits you can buy at your local auto parts store for like 20 dollars or such.

Spec Jay · 12-21-2009, 04:09 PM

try to post a pic. i think my z may have this problem too.

kenchan · 12-21-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidyan

So I have a very tiny dent on the front bumper, I would post a pic but its probably difficult to see.

I tried applying a blow dryer to it and then pushing back but it only got about 10% out. I called a dent specialist over who used the same approach but with a heat gun and he got another 60% our or so. Since he didn't fix it completely, he didn't charge but I still have the remaining 20% of the dent showing and was wondering if anyone had any good tips for getting it out. thanks.

repeat the process until it's out. since you can access the dent no need to remove the bumper. just keep at it. make sure you keep the temps hotter than warm but not super hot. use your tool to push and hold it there for 15 seconds. repeat. have someone keep the hair dryer on the dent while you're pushing. (i typically use a IR heater for plastic bits)

ive pushed out dents out of plastic bumper before and it takes quite a bit of pushing to get it out completely. PDR techs can make more money doing regular dents so that's probably why he decided to abandon the project after going at it for some time.

davidyan · 12-22-2009, 02:24 AM

Thanks guys. I'll try again and will post a pic this time.

12-21-2009, 01:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
davidyan Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA Posts: 244 Drives: PG 370Z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	Fixing dent on bumper So I have a very tiny dent on the front bumper, I would post a pic but its probably difficult to see. I tried applying a blow dryer to it and then pushing back but it only got about 10% out. I called a dent specialist over who used the same approach but with a heat gun and he got another 60% our or so. Since he didn't fix it completely, he didn't charge but I still have the remaining 20% of the dent showing and was wondering if anyone had any good tips for getting it out. thanks.

12-21-2009, 01:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,730 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Remove the bumper, and heat it up, and push it out carefully.. R@n1n3913 likes this. __________________

12-21-2009, 11:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
SpawnAeroJohn NOT A CURRENT VENDOR Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 609 Drives: you Rep Power: 17	Why even think about replacing the bumper? Push comes to shove take it to a body shop, have them sand it, bondo it, repaint it. Or if the dent is on a flat part of the bumper like really flat. Remove the bumper, lay that section down on a flat piece of metal, heat the bumper with a heat gun or a torch, then take a ball point body hammer or something of the sort and rub it back and forward over the dent from behind which will push the high spots down and once it touches the metal it wont go any further and that will be level. Then pour cold water on it to make the plastic stiffen again. That should do it! R@n1n3913 likes this.

12-21-2009, 04:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Spec Jay A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bummerton Posts: 1,510 Drives: MtB 09 370z Rep Power: 19	try to post a pic. i think my z may have this problem too. __________________ 09 Monterey Blue Global Time Attack Street Class Build Build Thread:Saber! Instagram:@SpecJay

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12-21-2009, 12:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
SpawnAeroJohn NOT A CURRENT VENDOR Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 609 Drives: you Rep Power: 17	Lol yes that is a problem. Its one of those things where you have to know when enough is enough. You can always tape up the front area so that it doesn’t scratch anything when you flip it face down, and then use goo off or w.e that item is called to remove the residue from the tape since the heat would cause some to stick to the bumper. What you can always try doing first is taking a round metal object like the back end of a body hammer (the one that has a ball on one side), heat the area up, then slowly rub it from the back. There are some you tube videos you can find under "PDR, Paintless dent repair". There are also kits you can buy at your local auto parts store for like 20 dollars or such.

12-22-2009, 02:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
davidyan Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA Posts: 244 Drives: PG 370Z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	Thanks guys. I'll try again and will post a pic this time.