Honda Civic Bumper Covers

Signs of Problematic Honda Civic Bumper Covers

Style and safety are two of the major considerations why drivers like you purchase a Honda Civic. These aspects are also two of the many reasons why the model is being supported by many buyers worldwide. One part that contributes to these features is the bumper covers. These are components made of plastic, steel, or fiberglass that serve as safety features by protecting the actual bumper material. And since it is located right in front of the car, it is an integral styling accessory that affects the look of the vehicle as a whole. Indeed, your bumper covers are very important, and you should be watchful for signs of damage in this part.

Rattles

There would come a time when you might notice your Honda Civic bumper covers are giving out rattling sounds while you drive. The sounds are associated with that of rattling tin cans. These noises are produced when your bumper covers are rubbing against nearby parts like the fenders and the bumper. This is due to a loose mounting hardware. When you experience this, you might want to check the screws and bolts holding your bumper covers. To fix the problem, you may need to remove and reinstall the bumper covers.

Loose bumper covers

Another effect of an issue with the mounting hardware and brackets is misaligned or even loose bumper covers. You must remember that the position of your Honda Civic bumper covers is very important because it has to be completely aligned with the bumper material and not cause any problem with the headlights and fog lights. The easy fix would be repositioning the misaligned or loose bumper covers.

Warps

A warp or dent in the bumper covers can be caused by two problems. The first and the more obvious reason is a low-impact collision. Needless to say, once your bumper covers hit something, it has the tendency to bend or develop a dent. A more uncommon cause of the problem is an issue with the mounting brackets. This occurs when these metal brackets bend, disfiguring the bumper covers.

Cracks

The easiest sign of damaged bumper covers is a crack. Like dents, this can be caused by a low-impact collision. Good thing is that a small crack can be remedied with soapy water, soldering iron, and sandpaper.

• The bumper cover is a high density reinforced plastic panel that houses your car’s crash safety components.
• It is designed to absorb shock and, at the same time, crumple during a low-speed collision.
• OEM replacement parts typically range between $130 to $1,400. Bumper covers are either sold individually, in sets of 2, or as part of a kit.
• Replacing a damaged bumper cover is important in ensuring crash safety and protecting the resale value of your car.

 
The Honda Civic’s debut in the early ‘70s came exactly at a time when people were looking for alternatives to gas-guzzling muscle cars. As oil prices soared and emission standards from the EPA became stricter, the Civic ushered in the dawn of fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly cars. To this day, this compact car is beloved for its performance, affordability, and style.

 

To learn more about the Honda Civic, let’s take a closer look at one of its components: the bumper cover.

 

The bumper cover is a high density reinforced plastic panel that houses your car’s crash safety components. It also serves an aesthetic purpose, giving the Civic its distinct look. These are installed in both the front and rear ends of a car. The front bumper cover protects the engine and the headlights in a forward collision, while the rear bumper cover protects the trunk and tail lights.

 

The bumper cover is an external component that is fitted over the metal bumper beam. It is designed to absorb shock and crumple during a low-speed collision. It protects other safety systems like your car’s headlights and taillights from impact damage.

 

Before the ‘70s, cars were fitted with heavy chrome bumpers meant to keep them safe during collisions. While it sounded good in theory, road accidents at the time still ended with mangled vehicles and critically injured passengers.

 

As stricter regulations demanded better safety systems for low-speed collisions, manufacturers started switching out metal bumpers for plastic. The idea was to create crumple or crush zones designed to absorb impact and prevent transferring its energy to the passenger cabin.

 

Engineers achieved this by finding a balance between flexible and rigid components. They designed a bumper cover lined with a flexible bumper absorber. This thermoplastic foam is meant to slow down the crumpling of the cover after getting hit by an external force. Then they attached the cover to a rigid reinforcement bar to provide the assembly stability.

 

The bumper brackets that connect the bumper kit to the vehicle frame can either be flexible or rigid. Some brackets are meant to be stiff mounts, while others are designed to collapse and redirect impact energy toward the front of the vehicle.

 

There have been ten generations of the Honda Civic, each with parts of varying sizes. Let us help you find the right bumper cover for your car by using our website’s search engine. Simply plug in your vehicle’s year, make, and model to browse through relevant parts.

 

The cost of a replacement Honda Civic bumper varies depending on the vehicle’s year and model. OEM replacement parts typically range between $130 to $1,400. Bumper covers are either sold individually, in sets of two, or as part of a kit. While working on this part on your own is possible, we strongly recommend going to a trusted mechanic to ensure a proper and secure installation.

 

Dents and scratches on the bumper cover may not seem like a safety hazard, but it’s better to have your car checked out by a professional after being involved in a major or minor collision. Your mechanic will be able to distinguish if a part is compromised and requires replacement. Here are other reasons why it’s a good idea to have your bumper replaced as needed.

 

Discover internal damage

Fine cracks and bumper misalignment are hard to detect just by examining your car’s exterior. Removing and replacing a bumper cover allows your mechanic to take a closer look at all of the car’s crash safety components. This saves you from driving with damaged bumper absorbers, re-bar, or bumper brackets unknowingly.

 

Ensure safety in case of a subsequent crash

Even minor collisions can compromise the integrity of your car’s bumper. A single faulty part can significantly reduce its ability to absorb impact in a subsequent road accident. Replacing a damaged bumper cover ensures that your car’s crash safety system is fully capable of minimizing vehicle damage and preventing critical injury.

 

Protect the resale value of your car

Due to its location in the front and rear of your vehicle, bumper covers are bound to get a beating from daily use. It protects the engine and the rear compartment from kicked-up road debris such as rocks and branches. In winter climates, it can get damaged from hard ice, or hide rusting internal parts. Any kind of cosmetic or internal damage will affect your car’s resale value.
 

The bumper covers in your cars are parts that play double roles. First, they are safety components that protect the actual bumper material and the parts in your underhood. Secondly, since they are available in different colors and designs, they are also integral styling factors that make your Honda Civic attractive. With these two roles, damaged bumper covers mean double troubles for your cars. Because of this, you need to take good care of your bumper covers to ensure that your cars are safe and appealing as they should be.

 

Wash your Honda Civic bumper covers on a weekly basis.

 

 

Most especially for cars being driven every single day, it is important that you clean at least the bumper covers once a week. The slightest dirt buildup can snowball into something undesirable to the eyes. The worst thing about this buildup is that they can stick to the bumper covers, making it difficult to remove. Before this happens, you need to take good care of your covers. Besides, all you need are rags, car-washing solutions, and vinyl cleaning gel.

 

 

Paint the bumper covers and the mounting brackets.

 

 

Rust is one of the major enemies of bumper covers. A small rust buildup can easily damage the bumper covers to the point where they would just pop out of the car body. To prevent developing of rusts, it is recommended that you apply paint even on the underside of your bumper covers. Since your mounting brackets are also of metal, you may also paint them as well.

 

 

Use fender covers when doing your car repairs.

 

 

While it is completely admirable that you are doing the repair of your cars on your own, certain accidents do happen. Tools and parts can drop into your bumper covers while you are doing these repairs. This can cause dents and cracks which just add up to the things you should fix in your cars. A good means of preventing this is by having fender covers. These are cloth covers that are laid on top of your fenders and bumper covers when doing your repairs, protecting them from possible damage.

 

How to Take Care of Your Honda Civic Bumper Cover

The Honda Civic slowly crept into the American automotive scene as an economic performer. Some enthusiasts just can't get enough of when that V-tec kick in yo! When you drive through the highway and twisties on the mountainside, you feel the power on the front wheels as they grip the road. You just have to watch out for road hazards before they hit your bumper. A damaged bumper is not only an eye sore but is also a driving hazard. While the Honda Civic bumper cover is your front line protection, it also has other functions. It supports your Honda Civic's aerodynamics, air induction, and style. In order to prolong its lifespan, you have to take note of methods on how to preserve your bumper. Here are some of them:

• Avoid driving through rough roads and flooded areas if you can.

We highly recommend that you drive on well-paved roads only. But in case you can't avoid driving through rough roads or those submerged in flood, you should do so slowly and with extra caution. Driving through these areas increases the likelihood of exposing your bumper to scratches, dings, and cracks.

• Always be on the lookout for existing scratches.

Take a deep breath. Not all bumper damage will require you to visit your local body and paint shop right away. Minor scratches can be addressed using DIY fixes and some elbow grease. There are also rubbing compounds that can be easily found in auto shops that can be used for light scratches.

• Apply rubbing compound on light scratches for a quick fix.

Once you have identified where the light scratches are, you can proceed with applying the rubbing compound. First, you have to clean the area where you will be applying the solution. Next, you have to apply a minimum amount of the solution then rub in on the scratch in a circular motion. Allow it to dry to a haze before wiping off the excess. You can further buff it by applying a little wax then polish it off to a gloss.

• Wash and scrub your bumper cover.

One of the most basic maintenance procedures for your bumper is including it on your regular car wash. First, you rinse off the dirt that have accumulated during your regular use. You then scrub off the surface with a sponge soaked in a car shampoo solution. Repeat as needed. Once you are able to remove the dirt and grime, you rinse the bumper again with clean running water. Wipe it dry with a clean cloth.