Any DIY fix for these front bumper dents and scratches?

[ak11214]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and recently got a used 2011 audi a4. I am wondering if anyone knows any DIY fix for these front bumper dents and scratches.




Would it be possible if I pull the fog guards out. Then use a heat gun to heat the dented area then push it out with a metal bar object?
Any good scratch touch up product?

Thank you all in advance. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Per Stirpes]

I know you can buy a filler for big scratches and dents, but honestly I would just go to the dealer and get some touch up paint and go nuts with it. Once it is covered up you wont see it again.

You might be able to reach into that section of the bumper and pop it out, or go to a paintless dent removal guy. They are very affordable and would touch it all up for you as well.

[19birel]

PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) is a process for fixing dents on the metal skin of your car, not the plastic bumpers. If you want it perfect (dents removed, and perfect color blend etc.) take it to a professional body shop, but if you're fine with it looking ~85%, I would first lightly sand the areas where the scratches are so that the plastic is smooth again, and with a find brush apply the touch up paint (make sure it's mixed with clear), then wet sand it so it's flush with the original paint, and polish. This is a rather simplified version of the process but there are some great YouTube videos that delve into more detail. I'll link a couple for you.





I used these two videos to touchup my driver's side door as I had some chips on both the metal itself and a large chip on the plastic near the key hole, and now you have to put your eye within a few inches of it to notice. Also make sure you get actual touchup paint, I used left over paint for the spray gun supplied to me by the shop who repainted my bumpers and trunk, and its much more liquidy (so it sprays evenly through a paint gun) and isn't well suited to touch up (I was limited to small-medium sized chips) So just beware of that.

Hope that helps, good luck

[lettuce]

Dr Colorchip. I swear by the stuff. It's like touchup paint but two-stage, including a factory-matched paint and some magical thinner that blends it in perfectly.

[ak11214]

PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) is a process for fixing dents on the metal skin of your car, not the plastic bumpers. If you want it perfect (dents removed, and perfect color blend etc.) take it to a professional body shop, but if you're fine with it looking ~85%, I would first lightly sand the areas where the scratches are so that the plastic is smooth again, and with a find brush apply the touch up paint (make sure it's mixed with clear), then wet sand it so it's flush with the original paint, and polish. This is a rather simplified version of the process but there are some great YouTube videos that delve into more detail. I'll link a couple for you.





I used these two videos to touchup my driver's side door as I had some chips on both the metal itself and a large chip on the plastic near the key hole, and now you have to put your eye within a few inches of it to notice. Also make sure you get actual touchup paint, I used left over paint for the spray gun supplied to me by the shop who repainted my bumpers and trunk, and its much more liquidy (so it sprays evenly through a paint gun) and isn't well suited to touch up (I was limited to small-medium sized chips) So just beware of that.

Hope that helps, good luck

Thanks for your suggestion. I am not looking for a perfect job, just enough so the dent won't look so badly. Regarding the PDR, where can I find the good ones?
BTW I watched that same video regarding the benz (I wish I can be that skilled).

[ak11214]

Dr Colorchip. I swear by the stuff. It's like touchup paint but two-stage, including a factory-matched paint and some magical thinner that blends it in perfectly.

Thanks, I actually looked into Dr. Colorchip. Nice to hear a real user feedback. I might get the road kit or w.e they call it and touch it up in the summer (my summer project).

[19birel]

Thanks for your suggestion. I am not looking for a perfect job, just enough so the dent won't look so badly. Regarding the PDR, where can I find the good ones?
BTW I watched that same video regarding the benz (I wish I can be that skilled).

Your location says NY, does that mean NYC? For PDR you could email the guy in those videos (Larry) and he could recommend someone in the area to you(he's based in NYC). He answered some detailing questions I emailed him about over the summer, really nice guy! However, PDR is only for dents in the metal, so if you have door dings it will help, but you can't have PDR done on your plastic bumper. A body shop would have to work on that.

[Project Quattro]

Your location says NY, does that mean NYC? For PDR you could email the guy in those videos (Larry) and he could recommend someone in the area to you(he's based in NYC). He answered some detailing questions I emailed him about over the summer, really nice guy! However, PDR is only for dents in the metal, so if you have door dings it will help, but you can't have PDR done on your plastic bumper. A body shop would have to work on that.

^ Larry has a great reputation and knows his stuff, he also has a SWEET 964.




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[uberwgn]

I've had pretty good luck with Dr Colorchip. Where big pieces of paint are missing, I'd rate the repair potential as acceptable from a couple feet away. And you've got to invest some time on the repair for it to look right.

As Birel says, if it needs to be "perfect", it's a body shop type of repair.

[ak11214]

Your location says NY, does that mean NYC? For PDR you could email the guy in those videos (Larry) and he could recommend someone in the area to you(he's based in NYC). He answered some detailing questions I emailed him about over the summer, really nice guy! However, PDR is only for dents in the metal, so if you have door dings it will help, but you can't have PDR done on your plastic bumper. A body shop would have to work on that.

Yes I am in NYC. I will shoot him an email.

[ak11214]

Thank you all, I will bring it to a few body shops for quotes. Don't really want to spent too much money, in the meantime I will see if I can find some DIY for some quick fix.

[ak11214]

Your location says NY, does that mean NYC? For PDR you could email the guy in those videos (Larry) and he could recommend someone in the area to you(he's based in NYC). He answered some detailing questions I emailed him about over the summer, really nice guy! However, PDR is only for dents in the metal, so if you have door dings it will help, but you can't have PDR done on your plastic bumper. A body shop would have to work on that.

Can you Private message me Larry's email? Thanks.

[19birel]

Can you Private message me Larry's email? Thanks.

PM sent

[geojt72]

pull the fog, heat it with a heat gun or blow dryer. put thick gloves on and reform using the heat. and hold position as it cools it should go back to it's original form.


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[ak11214]

pull the fog, heat it with a heat gun or blow dryer. put thick gloves on and reform using the heat. and hold position as it cools it should go back to it's original form.


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I was thinking the same thing. I will give that a try then do some touch up paint and see. Have you have tried doing that on any of your car or seen it happen?

[geojt72]

yes I do body work. the key is to get warm enough to shape it. and holding its position till cold. it's your best bet,before filler and repainted anyhow. or ultimately, a new bumper cover.


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[ak11214]

yes I do body work. the key is to get warm enough to shape it. and holding its position till cold. it's your best bet,before filler and repainted anyhow. or ultimately, a new bumper cover.


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I will go with DIY first. Thanks!

[ak11214]

Can anyone link me a DIY on how to get the Fog guard out? or point me the right direction.

[geojt72]

there should be a slot you could see a flat tip would fit and very gently push down while pulling straight out from around the fog light surround it should pop right out. that's how I remove mine anyhow. it's all plastic though. use caution!


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