Toyota Rav 4 2013 - Repairs to Black Plastic Bumper

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Tue 8 Jul 2014 12:19
Toyota Rav 4 2013 - Repairs to Black Plastic Bumper - lilley

Our Rav 4 has sustained minor damage to the rear bumper including one small area though which you can just see daylight. The bumper is solid, thick, black plastic and is unpainted. We live in the Bournemouth area.

Any recommendations for products which work and are suitable for DIY repairs please?

Any recommendations for 'dent removers' who could do the job please?

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Tue 8 Jul 2014 12:36
Toyota Rav 4 2013 - Repairs to Black Plastic Bumper - Galaxy

Sound like a job for Chips Away!

www.chipsaway.co.uk

I don't know Bournemouth but I expect they've got an operator somewhere near you.

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Tue 8 Jul 2014 19:33
Toyota Rav 4 2013 - Repairs to Black Plastic Bumper - MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom

First of all you'll have to take the bumper off.

Dents can be got out by gently heating the bulge at the back and re-forming the shape.

Cracks are fixed by 'plastic welding'. You can buy a framework which fixes to a butane blowtorch and which holds an ABS plastic welding rod. Fire up the blowtorch and melt the rod into the damage (from the back again). Google 'ABS plastic repair'.

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Wed 9 Jul 2014 11:28
Toyota Rav 4 2013 - Repairs to Black Plastic Bumper - lilley

This really is minor damage. The only distortion in the cover is immediately aroung the very small hole, 25 mm dia.. I have already camouflaged the several minor clips with 'back to black'.

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Wed 9 Jul 2014 19:23
Toyota Rav 4 2013 - Repairs to Black Plastic Bumper - MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom

In that case, don't remove the bumper. Try a hot air gun, paint stripper type of thing. Be gentle, don't get too close with it. Just heating small marks can get them out.

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Thu 10 Jul 2014 13:11
Toyota Rav 4 2013 - Repairs to Black Plastic Bumper - lilley

Used a soldering iron with a spoon shaped tip, did a very good job on the small areas. Closed up the hole and got rid of the distortion. Installed a pair of Halford's black self-adhesive protective strips, one to cover the problem area, the other to match up. Finished off with some 'Back to Black'. I am very happy with the result: cost £9-95.

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