Black plastic bumpers are pretty popular among car owners. And it is quite understandable, especially considering that black blends pretty well with any color you pair it up with.
However, accidents can happen anytime. And sometimes, those accidents leave you with pretty hideous-looking scratches on the black bumper.
Well, the good news is that it is not that hard to get the scratches out! All you need to know is how to remove scratches from black plastic bumper. For removing the scratches you can use sandpaper, rubbing compound and a little bit of polishing.
That will save you spending a ton of money on getting the issue fixed from an auto body shop.
But do you not have to go through too many hassles? Not at all! Stick around to find it out by yourself!
Do Car Insurance Cover Scratches?
Not all will! But even though some insurance will not cover the scratches, they can surely keep your bumper protected in case any major damage occurs to them. Do note that the insurance company will check whether the damage falls under their policy or not.
Easiest Method on Getting Rid of Faint Scratches From The Black Bumpers?
Faint scratches are the easiest to deal with. You just need to go through these few steps:
Step 1: Gather the essential stuff
To start the process, you need to get these materials:
- Polishing compound
- Portable or dual action drill
- Rubbing compound
- 3000-grit sandpaper
- Microfiber cloth
- Polishing/buffing pads
Step 2: Work with the sandpaper
Use the 3000-grit sandpaper to gently get sand the scratch out. Carry out the sanding process up until the point when the scratches are not visible.
Step 3: Clean the surface and Apply polishing compound
After sanding, you should use a microfiber cloth to clean the area. Make sure that there is no debris or residues.
After that, get a good amount of polishing compound on the polishing pad. Use the pad to smear the compound all around the affected area.
Step 5: Polish with the drill
The last step would be to use the drill. Attach a polisher head and set it at 1200 RPM. Work on the surface until it becomes slightly hazy. To finish things off, use the polishing compound again.
How To Get Rid of Minor Scratches From The Black Bumper
Minor scratches are usually those that have reached deep enough to damage the base coat of the bumper.
In other words, they do not cause any damage to the primary material of the bumper. But the great thing is that you can fix these scratches without going through too many steps!
Step 1: Get the right materials
You will only need three things for this process. Here is the list:
- Microfiber cloth
- Rubbing compound
- Polishing compound
Step 2: Work with the rubbing compound
Before using any other materials, try to buff out the scratch with the help of the rubbing compound.
It will work pretty similarly to sandpaper. And just like sandpaper, the rubbing compound comes in different grits. Usually, you will find them available from 1000 to 5000 grits. Get the one that will be best for the scratches.
Step 3: Get residues off the surface.
You should use a microfiber cloth to get rid of any residues that might be on the surface. Wipe the area gently and ensure no debris in the affected region.
Step 4: Repeat and polish
Repeat steps 2 and step 3 for two to three times or up until the point the scratches are no longer there. Afterward, use the polish and buff the entire region until you are happy with the shine.
How Can I Fix Major Scratches on The Black Plastic Bumper?
So, unlike the two processes that I have discussed above, you will need to go through a few extra steps to work with major scratches. Most of the steps will also require a good amount of time and skills.
Also, let me not forget to mention that the project will be a little more costly than the others. Therefore, I would highly recommend relying on an auto body repair shop for significant scratches.
How Much Does It Cost To Remove Scratches On The Bumper By A Professional?
There are not many materials you need to work with for minor scratches. However, depending on the mechanic, you will be looking to spend somewhere between 325 to 425 USD.
How Much Do Plastic Bumpers Cost?
A new bumper can cost somewhere between 100 and 1000 USD. But that is not all! You need to spend between 200 and 600 USD for the painting and installation.
Final Words
As you can see, learning how to remove scratches from black plastic bumper for faint and minor scratches is pretty straightforward.
You just need to go through a couple of steps and work with a few materials. Although learning the process for major scratches is undoubtedly possible, the steps are a bit too complex and tedious.
