Mitsubishi Eclipse Bumper Covers

Tips on Maintaining the Chevrolet Malibu Bumper Cover

Like most of the car's body panels, the Chevrolet Malibu bumper cover is not that hard. In this guide, we'll share some key tips to maintaining the bumper cover on Malibu models.

• Take note of any loose mounting hardware.

The bumper cover is secured to the steel bumper core through a series of retaining bolts, clips, and other fasteners. Once one of these fasteners comes loose due to wear, damage, or improper tightening, the bumper might sag, resulting in rattling noises, reduced aerodynamic efficiency, or even scraping against the road while driving. So when you notice any of these signs, have a look at all the hardware connected to the bumper and tighten them if necessary. However, if any of the hardware appears to be extremely worn or damaged, replace it as soon as possible.

• Fix minor scratches with buffing compound.

Scratches are among the most common types of damage experienced by bumper covers, but if the damage did not penetrate the beyond the cover's protective coating, you can still fix it with buffing compound. Simply apply buffing compound onto the scratched area and polish it with a car buffer. If the scratch is still noticeable, spray a clear coat to it and buff it again. This technique works best if the color of the buffing compound is similar to that of your car.

For more serious scratches, you will need to use a bumper repair kit, which contains fillers to fix deep gouges in the surface. But if the damage is extensive enough that it has penetrated through the bumper cover material, you will need to have it restored by a professional.

• Wax your car regularly.

Ideally, you should wax your car at least once every season, especially if you frequently park your Malibu outdoors. The wax serves as a protective shield for the bumper cover's surface, absorbing stains and small scratches before it makes it to the paint. But over time the wax will wear off, leaving the bumper and the rest of your car's exterior to the elements.

In order ensure the entire surface of the bumper is covered, auto detail experts suggest coating the bumper cover two times, with the latter designed to cover the areas the first one might have missed. Buff the wax with a clean terry towel to a bright sheen.

• The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a reliable sport compact car that can still perform well years after its production.
• Like other older cars, parts of your old generation Mitsubishi Eclipse need to be replaced, such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper cover.
• Replacement is required if your Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper cover is cracked and has severely damaged paint and mounting hardware.
• An aftermarket Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper cover costs around $30 up to $150.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sport compact car that was manufactured by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi. It was produced in four generations and has consistently impressed car enthusiasts with its performance, reliability, and exterior and interior styling. Old generation Mitsubishi Eclipses—produced from 1989 to 2011—are a great choice as used cars since they still run smoothly after several years. However, replacements to some parts may still be needed especially for worn-out exterior components like the Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper cover.

Mitsubishi Eclipse parts like bumper covers can wear out and incur damage over the years. If you want to know when to replace them, here are some common signs:

Cracked bumper cover

One of the first components that can sustain damage from accidents is the bumper cover. If you hit another vehicle or make a parking miscalculation, your bumper cover can crack. This can compromise its structural integrity and leave the other car components behind it less protected. In case you get involved in a low-speed collision, these components may get severely damaged. If you want to get back the protection that your bumper cover used to provide, replacing it with a new one is highly recommended.

Damaged mounting components

Another way to tell that you need to replace your bumper cover is when you see signs of damage to its mounting components like fasteners and clips. These components are responsible for securing the bumper cover to your vehicle. Once they get broken, the bumper cover won’t be able to stay mounted to your car. You may notice this when you drive over road bumps or uneven terrains. Any exterior component that is close to falling off is a major safety concern. It may cause accidents to you and the other motorists on the road. To prevent this scenario from happening, be sure to replace your bumper cover as soon as you notice damaged fasteners and clips.

Severe paint damage

Just like any car owner, paint on your bumper cover that’s chipping away or peeling off will surely bother you. To fix it, you will need to even out the surface by sanding the bumper cover and then carefully repainting it with a color that matches your vehicle’s coating—which may not be the best way to spend your time and money. If you want a more straightforward and long-term solution, replacing your old bumper cover is a more practical solution.

On average, an aftermarket Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper cover costs around $30 up to 150. You can purchase it as a single part or in sets of two if you want to change both your front and rear bumper cover.

Searching for Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper or Mitsubishi Eclipse body kit? Make sure to use our website’s vehicle selector to speed up your search. If you are looking for a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper cover, for example, you can narrow down the search results by providing your vehicle’s year, make, and model.

Whether it's due to a parking mishap or you're upgrading to a custom front end, installing a new bumper cover on the Mitsubishi Eclipse can be daunting for first-timers. But installing this body panel is not that difficult and only requires tools that are commonly found in the average homeowner's toolbox. In this guide, we'll share some tips you might find helpful when installing a new Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper cover.

Tip #1: Sand and clean the bumper cover.

Once it's out of its packaging, your new bumper cover is likely to appear in an unpainted, pre-primed state with slight bumps and rough patches on the surface. Wet-sand the bumper's surface with 600 grit sandpaper to remove any imperfections, wash with your preferred detergent and warm water, and wipe dry. We also recommend painting the bumper cover at this point, as it will be more difficult to paint the cover once it's mounted onto your car.

In addition, it is also advised not to strip the bumper cover's primer, as it is specially formulated by the manufacturer to shield against corrosion and maximize paint adhesion.

Tip #2: Take note of all the clips and fasteners.

The bumper cover is attached to the steel bumper core through a series of retaining bolts, clips, and other types of fasteners, so make sure to take note which hardware goes where. If any of the fasteners appear to be worn or damaged, do not hesitate to replace it; bumpers mounted with worn fasteners may come loose over time.

Tip #3: Remove the headlights.

Although it is not essential, removing the headlight assembly will give you extra room to maneuver around while removing the old bumper cover and when positioning the new one into place. Getting the lights out of the way will also cut down the risk of accidently damaging it when handling the bumper cover.

Tip #4: Secure the foam absorber with duct tape.

The foam absorber, which is lodged in between the bumper cover and bumper core, tends to fall out once the bumper is removed and can be fussy to keep in place. However, placing strips of duct tape around the absorber should hold it onto the bumper while you deal with the cover.