A Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting took place in April 2018 in Westminster, Colo. Industry repairers, parts suppliers and manufacturers joined the meeting. One hot-button topic was introduced by Kye Yeung, European Motor Car Works, and Toby Chess. The duo weighed in on the pros and cons of using plastic repair.
Some Basic Single-Bumper Repair Steps
- Wash sides of bumper with soap and water.
- Use wax and grease remover.
- Use a dolly to push dent out.
- Sand with 120-grit sandpaper.
- Use a hot stapler.
Pros of Plastic Repair
Chess and Yeung said that when a repair is done with just a glob of adhesive on top of a staple, the repair will not last under stress.
Staples should only be used in certain places on the bumper, Yeung said. For example, a staple should never be used in the middle of the bumper.
Cons of Plastic Repair
The process of using nitrogen welding to put plastic back onto the bumper can take longer. There is a high investment required of the shop and there is extensive training the technician must do.
The process is not a "cure-all" type of repair, Yeung said. The process will not reduce cycle time or make things easier but will improve the quality of the repair.
