How to fix broken bumper cover tab with paper clip and heat.

I am doing this bumper cover tab repair on my 2017 Subaru Forester but this technique can be used on pretty much any plastic bumper cover. Is the bumper on your vehicle sticking out? Most likely it's because the plastic tab on it is broken. Normally a clip or screw is inserted through a bumper cover tab and that keeps it in place. If the tab is broken then it will most likely cause that portion of the bumper to stick out. I use a paper clip, soldering iron, and a torch to attach a replacement tab that I cut out from an old plastic under body cover.
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Music in this video -
Wanted by Purrple Cat | purrplecat.com/Music promoted by www.chosic.com/free-music/all... Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/...

[@dini1046]

i purchased a 14 dollar plastic welder online that came with 400 staples of different sizes. It has been one of the most useful tools i have ever bought. all it does is heat the metal staples, it looks like a drill but it has two prongs in the front where you insert the metal staples. This is a great DIY method of fixing plastic.

[@happywrenching]

One of these days I will buy one of those tools. Very handy!

[@al_adin]

Just did it, worked like a charm .used a piece of a broken plastic shovel i had lol . Thank you

[@akpai]

Cheap, easy-to-get tools. Very neat on the outside, with no tell-tale signs. With this, I think I can do a better job than those guys in the body shops around here. I'm a perfectionist who's trying to attempt a DIY, and you just gave me the confidence. Thank you. 👍👍

[@albertogutierrez8653]

I am down with this. I work with plastics and fibreglass. You got me motivated.

[@jfarley777]

Very clever use of "available stuff" - thanks for sharing info and inspiration! McGiver-esque.

[@chippywarren9706]

That is a great repair. My rear valance is a nightmare with many broken tabs so far as I can see. I'll give this a shot. Thank you

[@jasonchristopher2977]

Get a scrap piece of copper pipe, smash 1 end flat, round other so it fits soldering iron and ull have a foot for this work. And also use some stainless screen. It works great and is easy to cut, fit and melt in and is crazy strong. Fixed many kids toys and car parts this way. For more strength use JB weld or fiberglass resin. Or all if u need it.

[@dypeta81]

Wow this is the best bumper Fix. Nice!!!

[@luismanuel741]

¡Maestro! ¡Guaooo! Excelente reparación, te felicito. Y aunque no se ve por fuera, probablemente pintarlo de blanco habría quedado también muy bien.

[@tnjboyd20]

HA props for giving purrple cat some exposure!

[@1Guernelli]

simply elegant and awesome repair!

[@johnjkizer6399]

Wow, came out better than expected, hope it’s still holding up

[@happywrenching]

It's rock solid! Made it through the winter and no issues at all.

[@eknoorsinghbhullar.2128]

Thanks To Share Important Information For Bumper Cover Tab Repair Topic.

[@axenz1]

Nice technique sir 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@theayatollahofrockandrollah]

just a great fix all around really nice touch that paperclip and the extra layer of plastic on top that's what makes this a quality repair

[@17.06.Copper]

Awesome as I have the same forester with the same issue 😅

[@MikeyMack303]

Nicely done.

[@eknoorsinghbhullar.2128]

And This Video Is Really Helpful For Me.

[@silverFoxx90]

Amazing Job man! Way better Job then the body shops

[@Benjiizus]

This is genius

[@HiFiInsider]

it looks great!

[@wickflexin]

Awesome tutorial, honestly never thought of this thanks.

[@gotaigo]

nicely done

[@KevinP32270]

Epic job.

[@Samson-EC]

Pretty cool job..thks jc

[@FabienSCALLIET]

Excellent !

[@mmussie]

Good stuff. I wonder if metal glue, such as J-B weld,, would have been as effective and quick instead of melting the plastic to glue the shim.

[@docesam]

yes epoxy is great

[@ahmedsamirtv5078]

Amazing .. I watching you from Egypt my friend ❤

[@happywrenching]

Going global! lol thanks for watching

[@ArczAngel]

Thanks for tip very pracktical

[@molliewarren7075]

What type of rivet did you use to secure it?

[@skg5067]

Amazing thank you

[@the_other_seto_kaiba]

Easy way to scratch paint on your hood. Great job.

[@alekmartin9999]

Very nice

[@melindavasquez6404]

Best video out there so far

[@yashpalsinhzala4345]

Thanks sir 🙏

[@lakewoodcollision8708]

That's not bad but you can also use some urethane panel bond after grinding both sides for good adhesive you can also add your paper clip if you want it stronger 😉

[@watevz221]

1, don't place cover's on-top Of paint work, and 2, point The flame away From the car 👍

[@gvgrll]

Can I use a candle lighter instead? I don’t have a soldering thing.

[@jimmierasmussen9298]

You made looks so easy, you are pro.

[@user-cj6jk7pr6g]

wow That's miracle ^^

[@rondefly]

does the bumper cover go over the tab on the body or under?

[@mohnurulishadi3484]

Nice

[@ovalwingnut]

Very COoL. Q. Will it also take care of the "hood scratches"? Oh snap! We kid because we love.. Thumbs up!

[@TheTarrMan]

I would use some sort of stainless steel wire rather than a paper clip because of corrosion issues later on. Other than that, nice job.

[@TheTarrMan]

@@alphaomega750 The coverage will never be 100%. You just need one little pin size hole for water to get in.

[@richardcranium3579]

Stainless welding wire will work

[@paulsegura6847]

What size of rings You have on the car

[@awakenyourzen]

cool, innovative solution. how has it held up over time?

[@BigBlueSwisher]

I would very much like to know this as well

[@4WinterTires-uv1mr]

What kind of piler/tool did you use to cut bumper at 1:10?

[@MrOner07]

regular electrical cutter?

[@kyle20074]

Dikes

[@leislymejia2864]

1 year later, still holding up?

[@oliverbaier407]

Any kind of broken plastic can be fixed with a welding gun and special clamps-a very cheap and perfect tool for the workshop

[@mrsamsung8184]

Thanks for watching in my next video we're going to address the scratches on my hood

[@Nyck461]

Very nice and clean job. Would the soldering gun that many people use at home to make crafts work?

[@happywrenching]

Oh yeah that will work for sure, it doesn't take a lot of heat to melt that plastic.

[@gvgrll]

@@happywrenchingwhat about a candle lighter? Will that work?

[@happywrenching]

@@gvgrll that should work!

[@driveryte]

Self tapping screw and large washer would do the same thing, but in one minute

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

And that's what most body shops with experience would do or even any one with common sense would do.

[@tedjohnson64]

It’s been a year since this bumper tab fix, is it still intact? Thanks in advance!

[@happywrenching]

I sold the forester a few months ago but the bumper was solid and the repair held up!

[@junito1008]

Really nice but with the price of those tools, you can buy a new bumper. 😁 that’s good for ppl who have those tools.

[@happywrenching]

I agree, its mainly for the views lol

[@aznnp77]

That's not that easy to do for someone that doesn't have a spare plastic under cover and isn't handy with a soldering iron. I had this problem for a couple of years. I just screwed the inside of the bumper to the splash guard. Unfortunately, since my car is lowered, the bumper moved around a lot, and it tore through after several months. I'm running out of spots to screw into, so I tried getting a metal washer and JB welding it to the corner. We'll see how long it lasts. I just did it yesterday.

[@bigonaka8159]

I know just what you are saying. In fact I just got done repairing my front bumper with one from the junk yard and it has less burn and fire damages.

[@aznnp77]

It broke off about 2 months ago.

[@Antelopesinsideme]

​@@aznnp77😂 DAMN IT

[@natalie644]

I have the same issue with my Kia soul and it’s driving me crazy

[@DeadZone318]

It's been just over a year since posting this video, how is it holding up?

[@happywrenching]

I'm getting a kick out of all the comments lol. Truth is there are many ways to get this done but this repair has been rock solid even after over a year. That's including going through a nasty winter.

[@90nadz]

I used a zip tie, it did the trick within seconds.

[@imAgentR]

What if you ever need to get that piece off? That seems like a pain to access after the fact.

[@RedMinotaur808]

You could of found a local body shop, check the dumpster, get the for plastic free.

[@carlosperalta9060]

Just like me brother I make custom bumper clips 🖇️ for the holes from air freshener

[@antech555]

In your situation. I would have used a larger washer to fix your issue instead of going your route

[@melaniejenkins2754]

How'd u know my front bumper has zip ties, lol

[@happywrenching]

Haha, nothing wrong with zip ties!

[@melaniejenkins2754]

@@happywrenching know that's right, NEVER have enough lol. But I sure like ur way alot better 🙂

[@Adam-td8or]

Same haha

[@galahmmilesius7266]

A new bumper clip literally can be bought for 10$ on most cars and easy to install....But if your in a jam I guess?

[@happywrenching]

Watch the video and then explain how a bumper clip is going to solve a broken tab.

[@robvanderveer8294]

Who works on the car

[@JoseMartinez-2018]

Zip tie would of been fine. I've fixed a couple of them that way. Why are you wearing gloves?

[@Qwerty8]

Oh boy 😂 I‘ll give it an hour maybe two 😂😂😂

[@Michaelbor911]

In 35 second i run away if somenody put plastic dirty panel on painted hood... Amd move it by scissors or clamps... It scare me to get out from here.

[@TylerThomas-jz7wv]

Or just put a screw in from underneath.

[@holeshot26]

whatever works i guess

[@nageshtagadur]

bumper is already broken,.. before it has bumped,...

[@user-uw9nh6gh4h]

❤

[@user-wd5cz7qz4v]

Взял и все испортил....

[@user-fv2en9jp8l]

Что руки страшно показывать перчатки напялил?

[@digdah]

This is unamerican. You are supposed to buy a new unpainted bumper dude.

[@Michaelbor911]

Full nonsense... Why to fix bumber if you ruined hood paintwork 2x more expensive...

[@anyone558]

if one side cover tab broken, Is it still possible to solve it this way?

[@Viggggggr]

That’s gonna fail in a year or with a tug lmao