Fine Crack on Bumper

[mis3]

Someone hit my bumper when I was parked. I removed the paint transfer successfully using UC. Because of the impact, the top of the bumper (horizontal surface at the trunk opening) was cracked. It popped up a bit and I was able to push it back down. Now I can see a fine, fine line of the crack but no opening.

I do not want water to sip down into the bumper. What should I do? For now, I applied some NXT, hoping it would sip into the crack, solidify and seal the crack.

[BillE]

Re: Fine Crack on Bumper

Only an idea...This is a 'plastic' bumper right? If you can get to the back side, try using a 'poly' type caulk (that stuff sticks like no bodies business). Then on the visible area, a bit of touch-up paint.

Bill

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Fine Crack on Bumper

Is the crack all the way through the urethane or just in the paint? You may be asking an awful lot of any wax to seal that up and prevent water from ever penetrating (depending on just how deep this crack is) and you may find a bit of touchup paint to be a much better choice. Of course that leads to other potential issues since paint touchup can be tricky at best and you run the risk of making the problem look worse rather than better if you're not terribly skilled in the process.

[mis3]

Re: Fine Crack on Bumper

The crack certainly went through the urethane. One side actually popped up a bit and I managed to pushed it down.
The crack is a very fine line that I was hoping to seal it with wax.

Another question: I have no idea what beneath the urethane. Is there any harm if small amount of water sips inside?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Fine Crack on Bumper

If the crack is all the way through the urethane, you won't effectively seal it with wax as you simply aren't leaving behind enough wax to perform that sort of task.

It's doubtful that a small crack is going to let in any significant amount of water, and what's behind the urethane varies from vehicle to vehicle. In many cases there's actually a bit of styrofoam (essentially) to add some support to a large expanse of urethane, and then beyond that is the actual impact absorbing bumper. Usually a fairly unattractive piece of steel reinforcement to take the bulk of an impact and save the rest of the body work, chassis components, etc at certain speeds dictated by the government or auto industry itself.

[mis3]

Re: Fine Crack on Bumper

Just by looking at it, if I don't know better, I would think it is a scratch.
I will leave it for now.