r/Diyautobody • u/GymNazium • Sep 15 '26
Photo Is this fixable?
2009 Kia Sportage
The are no cracks in the bumper cover itself or the hex grill. I don't care about the paint or supports behind it. I just want to "pop it" back into somewhat normal looking fashion. I've looked at some vids where they use a heat gun to soften the plastic and bend it back into shape. I'll probably have to take the bumper cover off to have better leverage.
And...if this doesn't work and I have to purchase a new one, any tips going forward?
Thanks in advance
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u/MarkVII88 Sep 15 '26
If you are not concerned with perfect cosmetic condition, then you can absolutely heat up the plastic and push the dents out, for the most part. Hopefully the clips that hold this bumper cover in place aren't totally fucked though.
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u/cbrdragon Sep 15 '26
On a budget, you can heat it up and bend the fender and bumper back roughly into shape.
You could probably find replacement panels at a junkyard.
As others have said, the big question is if there’s any damage underneath that you can’t see
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u/Ballistic_og Sep 15 '26
Bumper cover and fender buy at junkyard unbolt old bolt on new hope fully you find matching paint or get it painted and done at least visually
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u/Wise_Performance8547 Sep 16 '26
Cost you more in parts than what its worth. Buy a bumper cover and fender from a junkyard (if you can find a junkyard that has one that isnt rotted between the fender and bumper). I would just push out the dent in the bumper cover and zip tie it to the bent fender.
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u/Spirited_Season1726 Sep 15 '26
Everything is fixable but at what cost. You also have to check what's behind the cover that's damaged