What should I do if the lower bumper guard of the car is damaged?
The repair methods for the damage of the car's rear bumper skirt (usually referring to the decorative or functional components at the lower part of the rear bumper, also known as "rear bumper skirt") depend on the degree of damage and the specific structure. The following are handling suggestions based on authoritative public information:
Judging the type of damage
Slight scratches/scrapes: Only affect the surface paint or plastic layer.
Small cracks/fissures: Not， no obvious missing.
Large cracks/deformations： Structural integrity is damaged.
Component detachment/missing： Some plastic parts have shattered or separated.
Common repair methods
Slight damage
Use scratch wax or fine sandpaper (1500 number or above) for grinding and polishing.
If the primer is injured， local painting can be done and dried.
Small crack repair
Use a plastic welding gun combined with a special PP welding rod for welding.
After welding， smooth it， apply putty (adhesive)， and then spray paint to match the color.
Large cracks or fractures
Need reinforcement welding： Use fixed nails to pull the crack and then weld to reinforce.
Applicable to situations where the fracture is not completely broken but affects the structure.
Severe damage or missing
It is recommended to replace the new part： The repaired buffer performance and safety cannot be guaranteed.
When replacing， choose the original factory or compatible parts that match the original vehicle.
Precautions
The rear bumper skirt is usually made of plastic (such as PP， TPO)， and it cannot be repaired with a common metal welding gun.
If the vehicle has insurance for vehicle damage and the accident is within the insurance liability scope， claim can be applied for.
Self-repairing technical threshold is high. It is strongly recommended to operate by a professional repair shop to avoid affecting driving safety.
Recommended operation process
Take photos to record the damaged area.
Go to a regular auto repair shop or 4S store to assess whether it can be repaired or needs replacement.
If replacement is needed， confirm that the part model matches the original vehicle.
Install and check if it affects the functions such as parking radar， exhaust system， and chassis clearance.
The rear bumper skirt (also known as the rear bumper lower skirt or lower bumper) is a covering component installed at the lowest part of the vehicle's rear bumper， and its main functions include the following aspects：
Protection function： As the "last line of defense" of the vehicle body， it resists the impact of road debris， mud， and water on the chassis components (such as exhaust pipes， suspension system)， preventing scratches or damage.
Structural support： Together with the rear bumper and rear fender， it forms the lower part of the rear structure， enhancing the vehicle's rigidity and reducing deformation in minor collisions.
Aerodynamic optimization： Through a streamlined design， it guides the vehicle's airflow， reducing turbulence and drag coefficient， improving stability and fuel economy at high speeds.
Aesthetic and concealment function： It covers exposed mechanical components and fasteners， making the rear appearance cleaner and more harmonious， enhancing the overall quality of the vehicle.
This component is usually made of plastic or composite materials， balancing lightweight and impact resistance. Different vehicle models have different sizes and shapes due to styling differences.
The board below the car's rear bumper is usually called a deflector plate， and in different contexts or vehicle models， it may have other names.
Common names
Deflector plate： The most common and standard term， emphasizing its aerodynamic function.
Rear bumper lower deflector plate： A more complete professional term.
Lower guard plate or deflector： A common name used in some materials.
Rear bumper liner plate or rear bumper reinforcement plate： Focusing on its structural protection function.
Main functions
Reduce lift force at high speeds， prevent rear wheels from floating， and improve stability.
Optimize aerodynamics， reduce drag and fuel consumption.
Absorb and buffer minor collision impacts， protecting the vehicle body.
Enhance appearance， making the rear lines smoother.
Fixation method It is usually fixed below the rear bumper using screws or clips, making it easy to disassemble and replace.
Note: If referring to the plastic plate on the inner side of the rear bumper (i.e., the interior of the rear of the vehicle), it should be called "Rear Bumper Guard" or "Rear Bumper Liner".
However, based on the description "below", it should refer to the external visible diffuser.
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