Straight answers
Bumper & Paint Repair Guides
Know what you're looking at before you decide.
Built from Robert Crenshaw's own explanations of how he repairs bumpers, paint, and scratches, including when he'd send you to a body shop instead.
Can a cracked bumper be repaired?
Often, yes. Most bumper covers are weldable plastic, and Robert's rule of thumb is that most cracks under 6–8 inches can be repaired. Big rips and missing chunks are a different story.
Read the guideShould I repair or replace my bumper?
Most scuffs, scrapes, small cracks and small punctures can be repaired on the cover you already have. Big rips, missing chunks and anything wrong behind the bumper point to replacement at a body shop.
Read the guideWhat photos should I send for a repair quote?
One or two clear photos from different angles, taken with the car dry and in good light, are usually enough for Robert to quote a repair. Video is welcome too.
Read the guideWhy doesn't my bumper match my car's paint?
Bumpers are often painted at a different facility from the rest of the car, so even brand-new cars can be a shade off. Matching takes more than a paint code; it takes testing and tinting.
Read the guideDo I need a body shop or cosmetic repair?
Cosmetic repair fixes visible damage on the parts you already have, usually in your driveway and often for hundreds to thousands less than a body shop. Big rips, replacements and anything structural belong at a body shop.
Read the guideWill my car scratch buff out? The fingernail test
If a scratch catches your fingernail, nine times out of ten it won't buff out, and the best a repair can do is hide it. Light scratches that your nail glides over usually can be buffed.
Read the guideCan a plastic bumper be welded?
Yes. Most bumper covers are polypropylene, which is weldable. With a welding rod that matches the plastic, cracks under 6–8 inches and holes with the piece still there can usually be mended and refinished.
Read the guideCan car wash scratches be fixed?
Car wash damage, from brush scratches to something falling on the car, is a common repair for Robert. Many brush marks are shallow enough to buff out; deeper ones can be touched up and hidden.
Read the guideHow do I fix damage before a lease turn-in?
Lease inspections look at visible damage, and a scuffed bumper or a string of chips is easy to spot. A walkaround a few weeks ahead gives you time to fix what's worth fixing.
Read the guideWhen can I wash or wax my car after a paint repair?
Robert cures every paint repair with a heat lamp before he leaves. You can drive within a few hours, wait at least two days before washing, and hold off on waxing for about 30 days.
Read the guide
Get a repair quote from photos
Want an answer about your own car?
Text Robert one or two photos of the damage. He'll tell you what he sees, usually within minutes on a weekday.
Monday–Friday, about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.