EPA & Techinal Tips | Plastic Bumper Repairs

 

EPA & TECHNICAL TIPS: Plastic Bumper Repairs Made Profitable – A Practical Guide to Making Bumper Repairs a Profitable Operation

Vehicle manufacturers are increasing their usage of thermopolyolefin (TPO) and polypropylene (PP) plastics on front and rear fascias as well as body side claddings because the materials are cost-effective. Contrary to popular belief, with the proper adhesive, plastic repairs are actually simple to perform and can represent an important profit and revenue stream for the body shop. To this end, Ed Staquet, LORD Senior Technical SupportManager, has offered to share his expertise. A member of the industry for more than 40 years, he was inducted into the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair Hall of Fame in 2004 and served on their Board of Directors for two terms. To begin, Staquet shares the keys to making money on bumper repair:

• Be Organized: Have a supply of the repair material and the appropriate grit of sandpaper on a cart that can be moved to the area where the repair will be made.
• Use Quality Products: Use repair materials that are easy to understand and use. These products should be specific to the repair.
• Instructions: Follow the instructions for the product being used. Don’t assume all products are used the same way!
• Training: Choose a product manufacturer that will send a representative to your facility to train technicians.

Bumper Repair Tips

• If a bumper is dented, apply light heat to the damaged area and massage the back side of the bumper to allow the plastic to return to its original state. If this step is omitted, a "bulls-eye" may appear in the dented area after the bumper is taken out of the bake oven.
• Avoid using solvents to clean sanded plastic because solvents tend to soak into the repair and may not evaporate as desired. Trapped solvents under the adhesive repair could cause bubbling or adhesion problems.
• A backer patch is critical for maintaining structural integrity when repairing a crack, split or hole in a bumper cover. The crack or split could reappear if the patch is not used.
• When working in difficult areas, such as corners, apply the adhesive to the repair area and lightly spread it out. Next, lay a piece of plastic membrane over the repair. This will help contour the repair material to the bumper.
• When prepping TPO, TEO and PP bumpers, always follow DA sanding with 80-grit hand sanding until the surface has a light, fuzzy appearance.
• To ensure repair material cures properly, avoid hand-mixing, unless it is recommended by the manufacturer. While hand-mixing saves the cost associated with mixer tips, many products are specifically engineered and mix-critical.
• Allow the adhesive to fully set-up before sanding and allow extra time for curing in colder shop temperatures.
• Do not use polyester body fillers over the top of adhesives as compatibility issues may result. Skim coat finishing adhesives work great as a top coat.

Developed by LORD Corporation, a pioneer and global leader in the development and manufacture of high-performance bonding solutions for more than 50 years, Fusor products are recognized to meet OEM standards and have been a proven solution in the aftermarket for more than a decade. In addition to a wide range of acrylic, epoxy and urethane products for metal and plastic bonding and repair, Fusor offers a line of sealers, foams, guns and other accessories. For more information about Fusor adhesives for plastic or metal bonding and repair visit www.fusor.com.

 

Courtesy of LORD Fusor
www.fusor.com