How to Fix a Broken Bumper Tab: A Step-by-Step Guide

Easy Ways to Fix Bumper Tabs on Your Own

Bumper covers are plastic and designed to flex when you hit something at slow speeds. Unfortunately, even the smallest impact can result in a broken bumper tab, the portion that clips the bumper to the fender.

Most body shops won’t spend the time to repair the tab and will recommend replacing the entire bumper cover. But you can repair it yourself with Sem Products Plastic Tab Repair Products

You’ll see a lot of youtube videos showing this repair using body filler or epoxy. Ignore those. Those repairs won’t last. The tab must be made of flexible plastic material and reinforcement tape, not a rigid body filler.

Here’s what you need to perform the repair

Scuff Pads
Grinding Discs
SEM Proudcts #77723 XXX ADHESION PROMOTER or 39863 PLASTIC ADHESION PROMOTER
SEM Proudcts #70007 PLASTIC REPAIR CONTOURING TAPE
SEM Proudcts40207 QUICK SET 20

Find all the supplies you need at wegotautopaint.com

Plastic tab repair supplies

Step-by-step guide to fix bumper tab

Prep is important, so don’t skip that part.

Use the contour tab as a reinforcement for the epoxy. Without it, the epoxy will just crack off.

If the tab is completely broken off and missing, apply the tape to an unbroken tab and trace it with a Sharpie marker.

Then, move it to the location of the broken tab. Once the epoxy sets up, drill the oblong hole and use the grinding disc to shape the bumper tab. Then, paint and reconnect the tab.

Step by step guide to rebuilding a broken bumper plastic tab