They Don't Make Bumpers Like They Used To

Release date: February 16, 2009  /  Print This     RSS    

That old saying, "They don't make things like they used to", certainly applies to vehicle bumpers.

The modern-day bumper may improve aerodynamics, fuel economy and appearance, but it can easily get dented, scuffed or torn.

The federal standard of impact for bumpers was lowered from 5 to just 2.5 miles per hour back in 1983. Over the years, what were once protective chrome bars became sleek-looking pieces of plastic reinforced with energy-absorbing foam. Today, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most car bumpers do little to resist damage in even low-speed collisions like those in parking lots.

"The vehicle bumpers made today are pretty fragile. Therefore, drivers should be more aware of the vulnerability of their vehicle's front and rear area," said Maaco President David Lapps.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "bumpers are designed to protect the hood, trunk, grille, fuel, exhaust and cooling system as well as safety-related equipment such as parking lights, headlamps and taillights in low speed collisions." Unfortunately, that protection isn't always apparent when drivers bring their vehicles to Maaco, Lapps said.

"When vehicles come in, we often see severe scratches and dents," he added. "These kinds of defects can reduce the trade-in value of a car or become a big expense when a leased car is turned in.”

There are close to 500 Maaco facilities that provide auto painting and body repair services for over 12,000 vehicles a week – 600,000 a year. At Maaco, the staff understands customer frustration with the status of the current economy and is willing to help them save money with the maintenance and repair of vehicles.

"State-of-the-art paint materials and standardized quality assurance procedures enable us to repair and paint bumpers quickly," Lapps said. "In addition, bumper cover repairs proceed rapidly from grinding to sanding, sculpting and painting."