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Lombard Auto Body, San Francisco auto body shop since 2013

Bumper Repair · San Francisco

Bumper Repair in San Francisco.

Scuffs, cracks, broken tabs, full replacements. Plastic-welded from the inside, mesh-reinforced, color-matched to the panel next to it. Lifetime warranty on the work.

Free Bumper Estimate Call (415) 292-2962

Written by Jack Chew, owner of Lombard Auto Body, bumper repair and refinishing on Lombard Street since 2013. Reviewed June 2026.

Technician repairing and precision-sanding a front bumper cover in a collision facility at Lombard Auto Body in San Francisco

Repair, repaint, or replace: what does your bumper need?

The right answer depends on three things: how deep the damage goes, how the bumper is mounted, and what's behind the cover.

If the damage is paint-only

A scuff, a scrape, a shopping-cart streak, paint intact behind the surface marks. Sand, prep, repaint, blend. $200–$400 for a corner-and-edge job. $400–$800 for a full cover repaint.

If the plastic is cracked

Plastic-weld from the inside (so the weld isn't visible from the outside), mesh-reinforce on the back, fill and feather the front, repaint. Done right, the crack stays gone for the life of the cover. $500–$1,000.

If the mounting tabs are broken

If the cover doesn't clip flush to the body anymore, usually you'll see a gap at the wheel well or the fender, the cover needs to be replaced. New OEM or quality aftermarket cover, painted, installed. $700–$2,000.

If the reinforcement bar behind is bent

That's a collision repair, not a bumper repair. The bar absorbs impact force to protect the frame, and a bent bar means the energy got transmitted further than it should have. Treat as collision. Collision repair page →

Common bumper-repair questions

How much does bumper repair cost in San Francisco?

Scuff and scratch repair (paint intact, no cracks): $200–$400. Single-color repaint of an existing bumper: $400–$800. Plastic crack repair + repaint: $500–$1,000. Full bumper replacement (new cover, painted, installed): $700–$2,000 depending on vehicle. Free written estimate, bring it by.

Repair the existing bumper or replace it?

Repair when: paint is damaged, plastic has surface cracks under 6 inches, mounting tabs are intact, no impact damage to the underlying reinforcement bar. Replace when: cracks are deep or spreading, tabs are broken (the cover doesn't clip in cleanly), or the reinforcement bar behind the cover is bent. We tell you straight which way to go after a 10-minute look.

Can a plastic bumper crack be repaired so it doesn't come back?

Yes, when it's done right. We plastic-weld the crack from the inside (where you can't see it), reinforce with mesh on the back side, then fill, sand, and repaint the front. Done properly the repair lasts as long as the panel. Done with body filler alone (no weld), the crack works its way back through within 6–12 months.

How long does a bumper job take?

Same-day chip-and-polish or small scuff: usually a few hours. Crack repair + repaint: 1–3 business days. Full replacement bumper: 2–3 business days (most of that is paint cure time before installation, not the install itself).

Will the repainted bumper match the rest of the car?

Yes, we color-match off your VIN and verify against the adjacent fender or quarter panel so any sun-fade gets accounted for. Bumpers are typically the trickiest panel to match because they're plastic (different paint absorption than metal) and they catch a lot of road glare. We use the same blend procedure we use for collision repaint.

My insurance is involved. Should I just file a claim?

Maybe not. If repair cost lands at $500–$1,000 and your deductible is $500–$1,000, paying out of pocket is usually cheaper than filing, same money out the door, no claim history, no premium impact. We give a free written estimate before you decide. If the cost is way above the deductible (rare for bumper-only jobs), filing is the right move.

What's the warranty?

Lifetime warranty on collision repair, auto body work, and paint. Covers paint adhesion, color match, and structural workmanship for as long as you own the vehicle. Doesn't cover damage from a new accident.

Scraped a bumper this week?

Bring it by 2340 Lombard for a free estimate, usually a 10-minute look gets you a written quote. Or call (415) 292-2962.

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