No matter how careful you are, it’s easy to pick up scrapes and scuffs on your car bumpers. It could be from tight parking spaces or reversing out of a narrow garage. And rear bumpers are susceptible to damage from loading heavy luggage in the boot, or scratches caused by dog claws as your pet gets in and out.
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With most modern cars having painted bumpers, these scrapes can soon start to look unsightly, as well as affecting the resale value of your car.
Fortunately, there are plenty of protection products available, designed to shield your paintwork from damage. Here is our guide to different options for a bumper protector for cars.
These simple protectors are designed to cover the corners of your bumpers and look like part of your car’s trim. They are sometimes called protector strips, or car bumper protection strips and work by shielding bumpers from the scrapes and scuffs that you might pick up in car parks.
They can be made of rubber or flexible PVC and will conform to the shape of your bumper, making them suitable for most cars. They come in a few colours, usually black and silver chrome, and some transparent protectors are also available. They attach to your car with self-adhesive backing and can be easily installed at home.
You can also buy this type of bumper protector on a long roll which can be cut to the desired size. This product usually comes with end caps to keep the ends in place. It can be fitted across the front and rear bumpers, and also along the crease of the doors if needed.
Try Richbrook bumper protectors from Halfords.
Rear bumper protectors are sometimes called bumper guards. They sit on the top of your rear bumper, shielding it from damage caused by loading items in and out of your boot. This includes bulky, heavy and awkward things like prams, golf clubs, DIY gear and suitcases. They are also recommended for dog owners, to stop dog claws scratching the paintwork as they jump in and out of the boot.
Bumper guards fix to the top of your rear bumper and can be easily installed at home. You don’t need any special tools – they are usually fixed on with automotive tape, and some models can also attach to existing bolts or fittings.
Rear bumper protectors can be made of stainless steel or high-impact ABS plastic. They should be designed to fit your car model specifically – there’s a wide range available online.
Browse products from Rearguards and Travall.
These bumper protectors work like the bumper guards above, shielding the top of your rear bumper. However, instead of being attached to the bumper, they attach to the inside of the boot with Velcro and fold out as a flap. You simply roll them out when you want to load the boot, and fold them away again when not in use.
Flap guards can be made of rubber or a neoprene fabric. They are great for drivers with pets who don’t want a permanent bumper guard fixed to their car.
Before you buy, check that the flap guards will fit your car well. Some products claim to have a “universal fit” but these are often too narrow for the wide boot openings in SUVs.
Try Richbrook bumper guard from Amazon.
For more information, please visit Silipi Technology.
You can also buy a bumper protector film, which is usually clear. This is applied over the surface of the bumper to protect from light scratches and scuffs, including scratches from pet claws.
The transparent film allows the original paint colour to show through and can be easily removed. Most kits are simple to apply, with self-adhesive backing and can be cut to the shape of your bumper if required.
Try the film from Invisible Patterns.
Bumper protectors can shield your paintwork, but if you already have scratches it might be easier than you think to fix them. ChipsAway offers professional bumper scuff and scratch repair.
Our specialist technicians use our pioneering SMART repair techniques to only repair the damaged area, rather than the entire panel, making our repairs quick and cost-effective. Fill in our online form for a free, no-obligation repair quote today.
There are all sorts of accessories for your car out there, but one you shouldn’t live without is a bumper protector, which will protect your car from dents, dings, and paint scratches, and lower your risk of receiving whiplash from a fender bender. Below is an in-depth guide to installing a bumper protector onto your car.
Preparation
There are 3 types of bumper protectors: plastic foam pads or guards, rubber pads, and bumpers shaped like vertical bars. You should start by doing some research to help you figure out what type of bumper protector will work best on your vehicle. The plastic foam and vertical bar are the best bumper protectors because they offer more protection by absorbing more shock than plastic pads or guards during a fender bender. Plastic guards should only be used when your car is parked, because they are more susceptible to damage.
The next step you should take is to study the safety regulations so you will know the speeds bumper protectors need to be able to withstand on the corners of the car and over the width of the bumper during a rear collision. The typical speeds are 1 mile per hour for corners and 2 miles per hour for the width of the bumper. You will also need certain tools to ensure installation goes smoothly. This usually includes a couple of bumper protectors, gloves, a pencil or crayon, alcohol wipes, masking tape, a level, and a bumper guard cutter.
Installation
The first thing you will need to do is park your car in a space with good lighting. In cooler weather, do the installation in a garage. If you don’t have access to a garage, then use a drop cord and provide heat to the surface with a blow dryer. Wash your bumper, and when dry, wipe with an alcohol wipe to remove oil, dirt, and excess debris. This will allow the film to adhere more easily to the bumper. Use attach guides to make sure the protector is installed evenly. You can do this by applying masking tape from one end of the bumper to the other in a straight line. Use a level to check if the tape is even. Make adjustments as necessary.
Next, slowly peel the backing paper from the bumper protector, exposing some of the adhesive. Connect the bumper guard, making sure the tag is still visible. Don’t touch the sticky part of the protector during application. Instead, hold onto the edge or an area where the paper backing is still attached. Before pressing the guard in, mark the bumpers with a pencil or crayon. If you want your bumper protector to look professional, cut the ends at an angle using the edge of the wheel as a guide. Never use scissors because they will create jagged edges.
Some installations will require you to remove the film from the protectors. Start at the exposed section of protector and work your way out. Slowly and firmly press the protector for 1 minute. The pressure will allow the adhesive to set properly. When the bumper protector is anchored, remove the paper backing a foot at a time while maintaining a straight line. Make sure the bumper protector is tight, or bubbling will occur, which will weaken the adhesive’s grip to the car. You might want a friend to help you with this part. When the bumper protector is in place, press down and hold all sections in place for a minute. You may want to hold the outer edges for longer than a minute, so they will adhere better.
For more information about rear bumper protectors and other vehicle accessories, contact Sportwing or visit their website today.
For more information, please visit Car Rear Bumper Protector.