Bumper cracks are common vehicle imperfections. They normally happen when a car encounters a serious impact on another vehicle or stationary object. A lot of cases involve drivers who run into curbs when parking. To avoid major grieves, it is advisable to switch driving style and stay attentive while on the road. But when the inevitable happens, there is always a way to fix it.
Have you ever seen a mechanic repair a Dodge Ram 1500 Rear Bumper crack? This is how the process goes down.
Removing the bumper cover
No matter the size of the bumper crack, it is important to take off the entire structure to allow a more comfortable and easier repair process. Removing the bumper cover protects the panels around it and saves a lot of time during painting. The bumper cover is joined to the car by a number of fasteners and self-locking bolts, screws, and tabs. It all depends on the car model; the fastened points different from one vehicle to the next. Basically. the fasteners are found under the trunk or hood, below the car, and along the wheel wells. When the fasteners are taken off, it becomes easier to pull off the bumper cover. In case it gets stuck, there are probably more fasteners which have not been taken yanked.
Identification of the bumper material
Bumper covers are made of different materials which require different repair kits. At the back of the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 rear bumper is the manufacturer’s stamp which contains information about the bumper material.
- Thermoplastics
They are identified with abbreviations such as TPE, PP, TPO, PPO, and TEO. These bumper plastics are the most popular materials as they are environmentally friendly.
- Thermosets
These are denoted as TPUR or PUR. They are suited to low-volume productions and are not recyclable hence are not common bumper materials.
After the identification of the material, it is easier to find out the ideal combination of a repair kit needed.
The actual repair
The first step is the removal of the remaining body putty. The Dremel tool plays an important role in eliminating the entire bulk. It is important to work on a smooth surface and so this calls for sanding of the scored surface followed by wiping the area with a surface cleaner. Once the area is neat, a base of epoxy coating is applied to bridge the crack.
After the application of the bridging epoxy, the mesh screen that is part of the repair kit is laid down over the epoxy. The mesh screen is pressed gently into the epoxy for it to embed. Then, one more layer of epoxy is sprayed over the mesh screen to cover it completely.
After an hour or so, the crack disappears and the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 bumper strength comes back. And that’s all that happens.