How to Unfold & Prep Your Bumper Cover for Installation

If you’ve just received your bumper cover, you may be wondering why it’s folded.

Most unpainted aftermarket bumper covers come folded to assume a more compact form. Folding our bumper covers allows us to help our customers enjoy savings on shipping costs. Since they’re made of shape-memory plastic, they will unfold into their proper shape once they are warmed up properly.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to unpack, unfold, and get your bumper cover ready for installation.

1. Remove the bumper cover from its packaging.

Take extra care when using a blade or knife to open the packaging to avoid accidentally damaging the surface of your bumper cover.

2. Look for the instructions in the box and read them carefully.

3. Check the bumper cover for major scratches or defects.

If you see any minor scuffs, don’t worry—your bumper cover comes pre-primed for protection and should be scuffed completely before applying your chosen primer and paint.

There are two ways to unfold your bumper cover. Depending on time constraints, available space, and weather conditions, you can either do this outdoors or inside your home.

Outdoor Method

This approach makes use of the natural heat from the sun to restore the bumper cover to its original shape.

It takes much longer but does not require any tools.

1. Find a spot that gets a lot of direct sunlight, and place your bumper cover on a cardboard or a soft surface facing down.

It’ll take anywhere between one to four hours to unfold, depending on how warm it is.

2. After two to three hours, flip your bumper cover so it faces forward.

3. Flip your bumper cover and leave it face up for the last hour.

4. Test fit your unfolded bumper on your vehicle.

Indoor Method

If direct sunlight is not available or if you have no outdoor space, you can also unfold the bumper cover indoors using a heat gun.

If you don’t have a heat gun, you may also use a blow dryer. Although it may take longer, it’ll still get the job done.

1. Position the bumper with the creased areas facing the front. Hold the heat gun several inches away from the creases and keep it moving.

2. Avoid pointing the heat gun at one spot for too long as excessive heat can distort or melt the plastic. Keep the gun moving to spread the heat evenly across the surface of the bumper cover.

3. Test fit your unfolded bumper on your vehicle.

If some parts need more work, you may repeat the process and use your heat gun until it’s completely straightened out.

Once your bumper cover is fully unfolded, you can proceed to priming and painting it.