will cheap $35 bumper guard actually scratch your bumper?

[brendan1234]

Recently I have noticed small scuff marks on the edge of my mazda 3 hatchback.

I have been putting a cheap "bumper guard" out everytime I park my car in NYC

I look at the back and it's smooth rubber plastic material, but there are a few "pointy" rubber plasticky things (probably from injection mold) sticking out that I'm not sure whether it was this that might have created some scruff marks on my bumper.

has anyone had this experience with bumper guards actually scuffing your bumper?

http://www.autobarn.net/bumper-defender.html

[Murr1525]

Re: will cheap $35 bumper guard actually scratch your bumper?

Could be a good cause.

Though probably a good idea as well. Maybe you can glue/tape some felt or something to the inside.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: will cheap $35 bumper guard actually scratch your bumper?

Just like the fender protector shown on the same page as the bumper guard you linked to, these things are designed to prevent major marring from happening on the paint. Obviously this device is designed to prevent damage when a careless parallel parker uses your car as a bump stop while parking, and it probably does a decent enough job at that. Just as a fender protector will prevent a dropped wrench, or a touch of a belt buckle, from damaging the paint. That's what they prevent from happening, but have you ever seen what they can cause??? The longer they're in place, the more they're allowed to move (at all) against the paint, and the more dust is present on the paint, the more marring they'll cause.

We helped out the folks at the local Marconi Automotive Museum after one of their Ferraris was damaged by a fender protector left in place while the car underwent a timing belt change. No deep scratches, but the paint was badly swirled, hazed and just dull on the fender that had been covered up. We did a write up on the correction here.

Given the amount of dust that gets deposited on the back bumper of most cars, and the very real possibility of this bumper guard being moved by people brushing against it as they walk between your car and another parked closely behind it, and we can easily see how some level of damage can happen. So you need to ask yourself if a little light damage that can probably be buffed out is better than risking a serious scuff from a careless driver parking behind your car.

[brendan1234]

Re: will cheap $35 bumper guard actually scratch your bumper?

wow, thanks mike! for that reply!

so even if i just leave the bumper protector there, (car not moving at all, since i just take it out, when parked) it can still create light swirls, just like how the same bumper "protector" was on the fender of the ferrari?

How does the "dust" add to the damage. I'm guessing since people are walking by, and accumulated dust between the protector and the bumper will create scruff marks?


I wish u guys were in new york, is there any meguiar's chapter in new york city?? I would be the first one to SIGN UP!!

-Brandon

[Blue Apollo IV]

Re: will cheap $35 bumper guard actually scratch your bumper?

While this is a nice idea...I envision it attracting negative attention...like someone seeing it and saying...hmmm - let's see if it REALLY works. Too bad you can't depend on your fellow human to be respectful and courteous towards your property, huh?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: will cheap $35 bumper guard actually scratch your bumper?

wow, thanks mike! for that reply!

so even if i just leave the bumper protector there, (car not moving at all, since i just take it out, when parked) it can still create light swirls, just like how the same bumper "protector" was on the fender of the ferrari?

How does the "dust" add to the damage. I'm guessing since people are walking by, and accumulated dust between the protector and the bumper will create scruff marks?


I wish u guys were in new york, is there any meguiar's chapter in new york city?? I would be the first one to SIGN UP!!

-Brandon

Well, if it were as simple as the bumper guard just sitting there and never moving at all, it probably wouldn't be much of an issue. But it doesn't take much movement at all, especially with some dust on the panel, and you've got the makings of some fine marring that will accumulate over time. If you've ever wiped down a car with a quick detailer you'll notice the back bumper is almost always the dirtiest in terms of dust build up. If you have a hatchback, it's even worse. It's all down to the aerodynamics of the car and the swirling of the air at the back of the car causing more dust to be deposited back there. On my PT Cruiser hatchback the build up on the hatch and back window is dramatically higher than anywhere else on the car. Even on my Crossfire convertible I always see more build up on the back bumper than anywhere else, and the profile of those two cars is obviously very different from one another. And that dust and dirt is actually pretty gritty stuff, so if you have something dry rubbing it against the paint, even in tiny little movements, it will act almost like a fine sandpaper. That's how the damage on the Ferrari happened, and that's why a car cover can cause similar issues if the paint isn't completely devoid of surface dust before putting in on the car.

Now some people might say this device is just a bad idea all around, but if you're one of the unlucky few who is constantly fighting bumper damage caused by careless drivers, it may well be the lesser of two evils.