Your car features a front and back bumper to prevent major damage should you get into an accident. While durable, bumpers can run into some problems. Below you’ll discover more about what ruins this critical component and a few ways you can protect it.

How Bumpers Protect Cars

Bumpers protect your car by sticking out slightly from the front and back the vehical. Back in the day, bumpers were made out of metal. Today they are typically made out of plastic with a thick layer of foam inside which is designed to absorb a minor impact.

What Damages Bumpers?

Any type of impact can wreak havoc on the bumper. If the collision causes a deep scratch or puncture, it could ruin the car’s structure. Rear-end collisions are another major source of bumper damage. Even if the accident only causes the other car’s front to tap the back bumper, it can cause potential issues, including dents.

3 Tips for Safeguarding Your Car’s Bumper

Use a Bumper Guard: One of the best ways to shield your car’s bumpers is to use a bumper guard. This gadget is a thick piece of rubber that wraps around it. This way, should there be an accident, it will protect the bumper from serious damages.

Bumper guards come in numerous styles so you can easily find one that fits your car. Keep in mind though that when installing it, the back guard must be a few inches above the exhaust pipe. Otherwise, it could melt.

Apply a Transparent Film: You could also add a thin film around the bumpers. This clear tool isn’t ideal for stopping strong impacts but it can protect the vehicle’s paint job from chipping or getting scratched. They are very durable though and usually only need to be replaced every 5-10 years. Because of its intricate installation, it’s best for an expert to put it on.

Utilize a Rubber License Plate Cover: This option won’t fully protect your bumper, but its thickness does help push away another car’s front bumper. It’s designed to not only protect your car from scratches and dents but the other vehicle as well. Most are also anti-corrosive so they’ll last you for a while.

Protecting your bumper is important if you want to keep your vehicle in good condition. If you’d like to have a bumper protector added or need repairs done to it, stop by Downtown Autobody in Sonoma County. Our team will be happy to fix the problem and address any concerns or questions you might have.