Guide on Using Hot Water To Remove Dents From Plastic Bumpers

Car Detailing Planet is a part of Amazon Associates. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our Affiliate Disclosure to learn more.

If you accidentally hit your car somewhere and the plastic bumper has dents, there’s a great possibility that you can easily fix it by using hot water. In this post, I’ll show you how to get a dent out of a plastic bumper with hot water.

The whole process is simple and quick, so it won’t take a lot of your precious time, and you’ll save some money as well.

Fixing Dents on Plastic Bumper With Hot Water

Identify all the dents on car bumpers and evaluate how much water you’ll need. Prepare more water than you think you’ll need.

Then, follow these steps to fix dents using hot water:

Prepare a bucket or a pot of boiling water and a toilet plunger.
Carefully pour the hot water on the area with the dent.
While the surface is still hot, attach the plunger to the area with the dent and start pulling the plunger.
Pull straight away from the dent to suction the indented area.
Repeat the process a few times until the bumper pops out.

If you don’t have access to the plunger, you can also push the bumper from the inside (with your hand). That’s an even safer and easier way than using the plunger, which may not always make a strong enough vacuum to pull the dent out.

After you’re finished, if there are any scratches, you can quickly polish them out to bring the shine back. If you don’t have any tools, I suggest polishing the car by hand.

Is It Safe To Use Hot Water To Fix a Plastic Bumper Dent?

Yes. It is safe to use hot water to fix a plastic bumper dent. Since plastic is malleable when heated, it becomes easier for the plunger to pull out the dent when you pour boiling hot water over it.

However, the size of your dent should be relatively more extensive than the plunger for the technique to work 100%. It is doubtful that a small dent can be fixed with hot water and a plunger because there is not enough room for the plunger’s suction to hold on to. In those cases, you can fix it by pushing the dent from the inside by using your hands or some other tool.

Sometimes, the technique may result in more minor dents appearing around the indented area instead of the big dent, which is an arguable situation. Some find it better than having a big dent, while others find it more nuisance.

Having said that, if you want a quick fix for your car’s dent, then using this technique is safe to try.

When You Should Use Hot Water To Fix a Plastic Bumper Dent?

Using hot water to remove your car dents is a cost-effective solution. However, as always, it is better to get professional help for heavy machinery and automobiles. But if you find yourself in an annoying situation and want a quick fix for your car dent, you can use the hot water technique to remove the dent.

The dent may likely reappear in due time if the same area is hit again or if you do not adequately fix the dent in the first place. That’s why it is better to go to a professional to get the job done once and for all.

Replacing bumpers can cost more than $1000 in some cases. Repairing the dents can also result in more paint jobs and minor repairs to the bumper, which will also cost money. The hot water technique is ideally used only when you have no choice and are not in the state to pay for professional help.

Possible Consequences of Using Hot Water To Fix a Plastic Bumper Dent

There are a few drawbacks to using hot water to fix a plastic bumper dent, as we mentioned earlier. Even if it is effective and cheap, the cheaper and more accessible alternative can result in an even worse situation than before.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible drawbacks of using hot water to fix dents on a plastic car bumper:

It is time-consuming

Using the hot water DIY method to remove car dents is affordable but time-consuming. You must boil the water, and depending on the dent size and number, you might need to repeat this step. The technique often requires multiple attempts.
Additionally, using a plunger to pull out the dent demands significant effort, and beginners may find it particularly time-intensive.

It requires some skills

Using the hot water and plunger method requires skill. It’s not just about pouring water and pulling; you must know the precise location and direction to pull. Cars have underlying complexities, and without proper knowledge, you risk worsening the damage.

It can reduce the quality of the work

Attempting to repair yourself might not yield professional-quality results. While you might improve the initial damage, there’s also a risk of causing further harm. Before starting, consider whether you’re prepared for the potential drawbacks and if you’re confident in your ability to complete the task.

Conclusion

Fixing a dent on a plastic bumper by using hot water is doable and completely possible. In my opinion, with a little knowledge and watching some YouTube videos, anyone can do it.

I was able to fix a few dents on my old car on the first try. If I was able to do it, I’m sure you all will be able to fix those dents.

However, if you feel you’re unskilled for this job, I wouldn’t risk it. I recommend you go to a car tinsmith and let them fix it for you. Plastic bumper dents aren’t so expensive (if they’re not extremely large) to fix, and they shouldn’t charge you a lot.