Bumper Stylings

Those who love to keep their car looking terrific and up to date with the trends are not big fans of the stock bumpers on their cars. But you can change all that and completely transform the appearance of your car with a bit of bumper styling.

Most car designers prioritise cost-cutting and ease of manufacturing when designing car bumpers. That’s why they are plain and bland unless it is an expensive supercar. But if you want more than that vanilla look of the stock bumpers, you can always get a good aftermarket bumper kit and replace the original. Also, bumpers affect the overall look of the car to a great extent. Although they seem smaller compared to other body parts, installing the right kind of bumper can do wonders to your car. Not only will it change the look, but it can also improve the handling and performance when done right.

Different types of car bumpers

When it comes to choosing a bumper, there is a slew of options. The main difference between bumpers is the material used for the construction. Each of them has pros and cons that make them suitable for different requirements. They vary in durability, impact resistance, corrosion resistance, etc. Here is a quick guide to help you understand the difference between the most common types of bumpers. This will help you choose the right material for your car bumper. In this article, you will also find some awesome tips that you can follow while shopping for custom car bumpers.

Thermoplastic bumpers

This is the default material used by the original manufacturers or OMEs. The benefit of thermoplastic bumpers is that they are cheaper to manufacture compared to other materials. But they do have decent impact absorption and durability. Thermoplastic, in fact, is a group of plastics rather than a single material. Out of these, polycarbonate is more popular. The advantages of thermoplastic are many. They can be heated and reheated numerous times and will retain their flexibility. Because the most important requirement of a car bumper is not style, manufacturers prefer this low-cost material over their expensive counterparts.

Carbon fibre bumpers

Carbon fibre is a relatively new material. They had not been around a few decades ago. They are basically carbon that is treated to form microscopic fibres. The manufacturing process of these fibres is expensive and often slow. But if you do not mind the extra bit of cost, carbon fibre bumpers are the best option. They also have a distinctive texture. Carbon fibres have a coveted place in the racing world for their lightweight and incredible strength. One obvious advantage of carbon fibre bumper is the increase in fuel efficiency and collision protection.

Polyurethane bumper

Although polyurethane bumper looks and feels like plastic, they are different in many ways. They stretch much more than plastic and are more resistant to impact. An added benefit of polyurethane is, therefore, durability. However, they are not as popular as polycarbonate bumpers because of the cost. Even though they have all these benefits, the fact that they are heavier than other materials makes them unpopular for performance cars. The weight of the body parts greatly reduces the performance of any car. So, most of those who install this type of bumper are car enthusiasts looking for good quality aftermarket bumpers.

ABS plastic

Even though this is a thermoplastic material, they are always considered a separate category. ABS plastic is a composite of a variety of plastics. They are resistant to corrosive chemicals and weather. When talking about the price, they are cheaper than carbon fibre but cost more than polyurethane bumpers. These factors make them the perfect choice for high-end cars. They have a superior texture and come in more designs and finishes than other types of bumpers, and are very durable. They are worth the extra bit of money you have to pay.

Bumper covers

In the early days of cars bumpers, they were simply cold-drawn metal bars that went in the front and rear ends of the car. They were supposed to protect the car and also the passengers. But, as time went by, they turned out to be a safety hazard rather than a safety feature. In modern cars, bumpers consist of two parts. An impact bar that absorbs the energy from bigger collisions and a bumper cover that absorbs minor bumps. When you look at any car, it is the bumper cover that you see. The impact bar is hidden behind it. The front bumper cover and rear bumper cover are very different from each other. The front cover has a more complex shape to accommodate headlamps and grills, while the rear bumper cover is just a fitter plastic case.