Learning About Automotive Parts
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Learning About Automotive Parts

Hello, my name is Talon. Welcome to my site about automotive parts. After 15 years of driving, I still have my very first car. For a long time, this cherished vehicle sat under a car cover in the garage. Now that I have the time and funds available, I started slowly restoring the car from the bottom up. I used a mix of original equipment and aftermarket parts to renew the vehicle’s suspension, brakes, engine, transmission and other important components. I will use this site to explore all of the parts you may need to buy or rebuild to restore your own vehicle. Thanks for visiting.

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Learning About Automotive Parts

Did You Hit a Post When Backing Up? Here Are Some Ways to Fix Things

Paula Shaw

You never want to be backing up your vehicle in a parking lot and stop abruptly as you realize that you've backed into a sign post that you somehow didn't see. It can be a tense moment as you exit your vehicle, walk to the rear, and survey the damage, all the while keeping your fingers crossed that there's no visible sign of your oversight. In many cases, however, there will be some sort of mark left on your bumper, and the approach that you'll need to take in order to fix it depends on the severity of the damage. Here are some different ways to fix different types of damage.

Small Scratches

Other than seeing no sign of the impact at all, a small scratch is the best-case scenario after you inadvertently back up into a sign post. Sometimes you can use a buffing tool to buff out the scratch. In other cases, you can buy a paint pen that matches the color of your vehicle at your local auto shop. You can then use the paint pen to carefully paint over the scratch. When the paint dries, check to see if the damage is visible. If so, another coat of paint is often all that is necessary to hide the scratch.

Dents

You won't be happy to see a dent in your rear bumper, but you may be able to fix it without needing the help of a professional. In some cases, you can actually reach underneath the bumper and apply pressure to pop the dent out. The sooner you do so, the less likely that the bumper will be left with a crease. If you can't get access to the back side of the bumper, you might find success taking the vehicle home and using a toilet plunger to pull the dent out.

Cracks

A cracked bumper is more serious, but this problem is still possible to fix on your own. A bumper patch kit is a way to address this damage. You essentially apply a patch over the crack, use a putty-like substance to cover the patch, and then sand it smooth and paint it. This process can be challenging, however, and can occasionally give you results that are less than professional looking. In many cases, it's best to take your vehicle and its cracked bumper to an auto body repair shop. The technicians will be able to do the job properly and give you a finished result that looks pristine. Contact a shop such as Central Body Co Inc to make an appointment. 


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