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Plastic (?) bumper cracks - can they be repaired?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jdcollins5, Jan 21, 2010.

  1. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    This is probably not in the correct forum but I could not find anywhere else, so moderator please move if incorrect.

    Does anyone know of a way to repair (glue?) a crack in a plastic bumper? My wife's car has a crack from hitting a snow mound in a parking lot. The "crack" lines up nicely if there is something that can "glue" it back together. I tried Superglue but no help.

    Or is the only choice is to replace the bumper?

    Thanks,

    Dwight
     
    #1 jdcollins5, Jan 21, 2010
  2. Darwood

    Darwood Senior Member

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    Duck tape on the back side of the plastic?
     
    #2 Darwood, Jan 21, 2010
  3. Salsawonder

    Salsawonder New Member

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    I am finding the the bumper on my 2010 already looks more banged up and ragged on the bottom than my 2005 did.....I wonder if they changed something else there??
     
    #3 Salsawonder, Jan 21, 2010
  4. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    #4 mgb4tim, Jan 21, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  5. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    #5 mgb4tim, Jan 21, 2010
  6. eglmainz

    eglmainz New Member

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    I have two cracks (both about 2 inches long) on the front of my bumper cover, and the snow seems to also have reaped havoc on the wheelwell liner (Front Passenger side), as it is no longer there.

    Seems that having a low ground clearance is very bad for driving in snow of any depth. Anyone know the cost to replace the wheel fender liner? I have been hearing around $500 to replace the bumper cover and repaint it to match the rest of my Blizzard baby
     
    #6 eglmainz, Jan 21, 2010
  7. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    #7 jdcollins5, Jan 21, 2010
  8. Sporin

    Sporin Prius Noob

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    Thanks for the suggestion mgb4tim, I'll be trying that glue come spring. Had my car since December and at some point have put 2 cracks in it about 4" apart.

    I've had run-ins with car-cicles (boulders of ice dropped in the road off of cars and trucks) and had to push through a few snow berms to get in and out of parking spaces, and my own driveway.

    Anyone know if BT will be making a skidplate for the GenIII's? I need that as well. I scrape my belly just getting around with all the ice and snow we've had this year. A bit more protection would be well worth the $300.

    Lowest car I've ever owned, and my last car was a 4runner so the adjustment about what I can safely "clear" has been a bit painful.
     
    #8 Sporin, Feb 13, 2011
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Here's what autobody shops use:

    3M


    And there's a bunch of video's on Youtube of guys using hairdryers with some cool results. But the 3M Automix works excellent. Still needs to be painted though.
     
    #9 edthefox5, Feb 15, 2011
  10. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    If you don't want trouble down the road, the only choice is to replace anything plastic that has a crack or hole in it.
     
    #10 32kcolors, Feb 15, 2011
  11. Sporin

    Sporin Prius Noob

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    I figure it's just going to keep getting beat up. I'm less concerned about looks then I am about structural. It's tough having a piece that low, be so weak.
     
    #11 Sporin, Feb 15, 2011
  12. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I repaired a crack in my wife's front bumper with Gorilla Glue made for plastics. I repaired it last winter and it still looks the same a year later. Other than being able to see some of the lines where it cracked, it seems to be holding up nicely.
     
    #12 jdcollins5, Feb 15, 2011
  13. luiset83

    luiset83 Member

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    So continuing on with this thread, I have a bit more than a crack... pictures attached for viewing pleasure. Can I repair this myself with some sort of adhesive, and if so which one? I'm a little wary because the piece actually holds down the part of the wheel fender... any suggestions are welcome!

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    #13 luiset83, Mar 23, 2011
  14. Lyle Ryan

    Lyle Ryan Junior Member

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    An old thread, but better to reply here than start anew, right?

    I just got a 2010 Prius, and found the small rip (see attached) in the corner of the front bumper.

    If I understand correctly, the bumper is pretty easily removed, and I guess I'll try glue or epoxy after roughing-up the interior. Maybe add a thin reinforcing material to the inside.

    Any better ideas? Thanks...Lyle
     

    Attached Files:

    #14 Lyle Ryan, Aug 19, 2013
  15. michinnom

    michinnom Member

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    lol, how do you go from "cracked" to completely torn the f up!? No, that cannot be repaired properly. You can use some sort of industrial plastic glue, but it'll look awkward.
     
    #15 michinnom, Aug 19, 2013
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