No matter how careful you are, there will always be situations on the road that are beyond your control, like fender benders. Also, if you leave your vehicle out too long in a crowded parking space or a cramped garage, there’s always a possibility that it can get scratches and other damages. To help prevent this, it’s best to invest in a protective component like a bumper guard.
What Is a Car Bumper Guard?
A bumper guard is a vertical bar or foam pad that attaches to the back or front of your car. It offers an extra layer of protection to help prevent minor dents and scratches.
Types of Bumper Guards
Before buying a bumper guard for your ride, make sure that you’re familiar with the different types of bumper guards available on the market. This will help you decide which type of bumper guard is best for your vehicle.
Stick-on
This bumper guard uses an adhesive to stick to the vehicle. One advantage of a stick-on bumper guard is that you can easily remove it if you want to replace it with a new one.
Truck-mounted
Truck-mounted bumper guards flip down over the bumper when the vehicle is parked. Since it’s only flipped when parked, this type of bumper guard can’t protect your ride while you’re still in the middle of parking. On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about it affecting your vehicle’s appearance.
License plate-mounted
This type of bumper guard is attached to your ride’s license plate. While license plate-mounted bumper guards can reinforce the center of your vehicle, they won’t be able to provide much protection to your bumper corners due to their location.
Hitch-mounted
Hitch-mounted guards are recommended for SUVs. They’re usually installed on trucks or SUVs trailer hitches and are meant to protect the rear bumpers. If you’re eyeing this bumper guard, make sure your ride has a receiver hitch.
Protective Film
If you’re particular about style, you might want to consider a paint protective film. It’s almost invisible, so you don’t have to worry about its appearance. Take note, however, that protective films can only prevent scratches and not dents.
Is a Bumper Guard Worth It?
Yes, it is! A top-notch bumper guard is an excellent investment. Here’s why:
It will protect your vehicle. Installing a bumper guard offers an extra layer of protection to your vehicle when it’s parked.
It will help you save money. Major damages during a collision are usually covered by your insurance policy. But how about minor dents and scrapes that a bumper guard could have prevented? Most of the time, you might have to pay for these repairs yourself.
It can discourage tailgating. This bad driving habit can lead to back-end collisions. However, if your vehicle is equipped with a rear bumper guard, an impatient driver may think twice before he gets too close to your vehicle.
It helps you maintain your car’s resale value. If you’re planning to sell your vehicle in the future, it’s best to make sure its bumper is intact. Moreover, your ride will be worth more if it has fewer scrapes and dents.
What to Consider When Looking for Bumper Guards
There are a plethora of bumper guard options available on the market today, so choosing the best bumper guard can be difficult. To help you make the right choice, here are some of the things you should consider when buying an aftermarket bumper guard for your ride:
Size
Before anything else, the first thing you need to find out is the size of your bumper. Experts suggest choosing a guard that’s a few inches longer than your bumper to ensure it can reinforce your bumper corners.
There are universal and direct-fit bumper guards available on the market, so you’re sure to get one that’s easy to install on your ride.
Material
Your bumper guard serves as an extra layer of protection against dents, scratches, and other forms of vehicle damage. So it is crucial to make sure it is made of durable and high-quality materials. Experts recommend weather-resistant bumper guards for superb durability.
Thickness
A bumper guard should be thick enough to cushion your bumper from impact in case of minor accidents when your vehicle is parked. While thin bumper guards can protect your bumper from dents and scratches, thick bumper guards can do the same while absorbing impact.
Installation Process
If you’re after easy installation, you can go for stick-on bumper guards. License-plate and hitch-mounted bumper guards are harder to install, but they offer excellent protection.
Brand
Buy bumper guards from only the best brands in the industry to guarantee they’re built to last. If you don’t have a specific brand in mind, you can check out product reviews to have an idea about the brand and other customers’ feedback about the product.
To make sure you’re choosing a high-quality bumper guard, get it from trusted sources like CarParts.com. Whether you’re looking for a bumper guard for your rear or front bumper guards, you’ll surely find what you’re looking for.
As long as you keep these considerations in mind, buying a compatible bumper guard for your ride will surely be a breeze. Aside from buying top-notch bumper guards, consider shopping for other useful accessories to make your ride more fun and comfortable. Stay safe while on the road and have a fun trip!
Researching about other parts for your vehicle? Here’s a list of common car body parts.
Get Durable Replacement Bumper Guards
Bumper guards take a considerable beating every time you drive your vehicle, especially when you go off-roading. When one of the guards looks worse for wear, replace it immediately to keep your bumpers protected. Get a replacement bumper guard here at CarParts.com.
At CarParts.com, we offer high-quality bumper guards for various models. Our website’s built-in vehicle selector can find the right product for your car or truck–simply provide the year, make, and model of your vehicle to search our catalog of parts and accessories. Placing an order for our products is similarly easy, needing only several mouse clicks or screen taps to complete the secure online shopping process. Furthermore, we exclusively source our bumper guards from trusted manufacturers, ensuring that you receive parts that meet world-class standards.
Get the best bang for your buck with replacement bumper guards here at CarParts.com. Browse our selection of competitively priced bumper guards and order today!
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.