Know Your Type:  Bumper Damage and Repairs 

Bumper Repair in Austin, TX

Changes Over the Years

As we all know, time doesn’t stand still. Therefore, automobile bumpers have changed over the years. What started as a plain steel bar to protect a car’s structure has evolved into something that may be color matched, include sensors integrated with ADAS, and absorb energy during an impact to shield passengers. Even though bumpers have changed, Genuine Automotive in Austin, Texas, has not. While we do keep up with the latest mechanical advances, we remain committed to outstanding service as we were in 2019. Serving all motorists, including fleet operators, we offer as many conveniences as possible and stand behind our work with a solid warranty.

Structural and Cosmetic Issues

Physical damage to the bumper itself may be structural, cosmetic, or both. Although everyone wants a nice, unblemished vehicle, the real importance of a bumper is its structural value. This component should be strong enough to buffer the main portion of the automobile against a small, low-speed impact. More importantly, it needs the ability to absorb energy in a collision so protect occupants from harm to the extent possible. Therefore, cracks, punctures, or other physical compromises are the most concerning. If we deem the area shallow enough that it’s truly only cosmetic, we may be able to repair it. If the bumper is too damaged to do its job the next time, however, we’ll need to replace it. Another area of concern is bumper misalignment. This condition usually results from improper installation or an impact. If the bumper mounts are damaged, we may need to replace them. Otherwise, our technicians can typically adjust the bumper to restore proper alignment. Though unsightly, dents and dings are not usually threats to structural integrity. We may be able to correct minor inclusions with paintless dent repair, allowing us to use special tools to ease out minor indentations that still have intact paint. Other cases require us to use filler and paint. The most severe damages necessitate bumper replacement. If damage is limited to paint only, usually a product or fading or chipping, we may be able to touch up small areas or repaint the entire bumper if the size of the affected area warrants that.

Modern Sensor Technology

Many of today’s vehicles are equipped with driver assist features. Surprising to some drivers, this has changed the way the automotive industry utilizes bumpers. A lot of bumpers have embedded sensors to help with features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure/keep warnings, and crash avoidance. When the sensor is part of the bumper, damage requires them to be replaced as a single unit. No matter the damage to your bumper, get the best help available by calling Genuine Automotive for bumper repair.