My 2013 Prius was in a fender bender, see attached photos for the damage. I've tried the technique of pouring boiling water over the outside while pushing from the inside, to no success. What would you try next? This seems a bit complex for a suction cup, although perhaps that would help? Thanks!
I've been using magnets a lot lately to pull minor dents. Home Depot sells these magnets. But try them at your own risk since they are pretty powerful and can cause scratches or damages if not handled right. They have 45lb, 65lb and 90lb rated strength. Best to pull on warm or hot weather. Covering them in a strong pouch can help to prevent scratches and easier to pull back out. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Magnet-45-lb-3-4-in-Carabiner-Hook-07587HD/202639935#overlay https://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Magnet-65-lb-Heavy-Duty-Round-Pull-Magnets-96354/203613136 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Magnet-95-lb-Heavy-Duty-Round-Pull-Magnets-96364/203613147
I've done lots of these... I use a heat gun on the inside if possible or very carefully use a heat gun on the outside if there's not enough time to pull bumper cover. With the cover off a soft sole shoe you're wearing pushes it out pretty good, but if bumper cover is on a crow bar, pry bar or long screwdriver can push it out but the ends of the tools can damage the plastic super easily so softening them with plastic or duct tape is wise.
Are those magnets? Any ideas on where to get a good price on a tool like that or the name they sell by?
Go out and heat it up gently with the heat gun keep it moving don't melt the paint it'll probably plop out on its own or push from behind the fenders farther back this is a polymer
It's safer to not heat too high so it takes a little muscle to pop it out... When I've gotten them too hot they lose memory of their original shape.
Yes, they are magnets. I mainly got them for micro dents. They won't pull out micro dents. But what I do is place them flat onto micro dents on a hot day and just leave it there and use it to help smooth out a dent. It's never smooth because the metal is too micro deformed. But it's a "little" better than it was before. I've seen these magnetic induction tool but reviews are mixed.
What am I missing? The photo shows the rubber bumper cover collapsed/ dented. Magnets I don't think will aid in the repair as the damaged inner components are keeping the rubber collapsed. OP, what to do next? Remove the bumper. There is more than likely metal support structures that are bent and holding the cover in the collapsed position. There may also be broken parts, plastic brackets, and other components that only replacement will work. If it has been that way for some time, the bumper may retain its deformed shape. You could try a heat gun to bring some shape back. So... remove the bumper. FWIW If you do not have a service manual, a parts diagram from an online Toyota dealer may offer some insight as to the removal process. Good luck
Yeah in the States now that can raise your rate significantly very. With damage to a piece of plastic like that a new bumper cover from the aftermarket bumper cover guy that handles your town and body shop is about $99 yes it has to be painted but that's reality . Can be ordered online prepainted $350 ish
You speak like a self acclaimed expert with zero experience about which you speak. It's just a bumper cover that's mounted with a handful of fasteners. There's no inner components of significance, no metal or plastic parts behind there that are damaged, there's no service manual entry on how to fix it beyond how to remove the bumper cover either. And a Toyota Stealership would rob you of many thousands of dollars to replace everything rather than heat it up and pop it out in ten minutes because they're greedy and evil and thrive off of destroying people's personal finances.
Removing the bumper shouldn't be done unless you have backup clips ready because all kinds of plastics can break during removal. There are usually 3 or more different types of clips that are easy to break for older cars. If you do remove it, remove everything very carefully and even that can cause a plastic clip to break.
The easiest thing to do is to partially or completely remove the plastic bumper cover. I would partially remove the side with the dent by removing the top screws and clips and one wheel well screw and clip. Then one or more bottom screws on that side as needed. Then push out the dent from the inside. The bumper cover is flexible; in fact there are sellers who prepaint aftermarket covers and fold it for shipping. I have done a partial removal to replace a headlight assembly once and replace a bumper mounted light assembly another time. Auto supplies have clips if you need one. As long as you have the screws it will go back on. Video of complete removal for visual learners
I removed the bumper to replace the grill. It was easy. A little trick putting it back on. Having a second person to hold it would have made it easier, but you can do it by yourself. No clips broke. I didn't have to remove either bumper brackets though...
Lol... Being prepared with extra parts in case you break something takes all the fun out of DIY. Just be careful and hope you don't screw up. And if you do, just use duct tape till your clip order shows up.
Every clip that could break is easily replaceable after the bumper cover is on because the screws hold it adequately in place. The critical joint at the fender and the bumper cover pulls out by hand and snaps in place nicely. From above video
