Auto body repair & detailing: cracked front end, 2005 slk 350, continuous stretch

Question
hey cameron, i have a 2005 slk 350 benz and i the other day i was pulling out of a parking lot and the front bumber "skirt" caught the curb and put (2) 3" cuts in it...one to the left of my front plate and one to the right.... i've seen guys putty and paint, but is this easy and will it make my car look cheap?...thanks for any advice i can get on the matter. -chris  

Answer
Your right...aside from looking like an obvious repair, bondo affords no strength.

The proper way to make that repair is the dreaded fiberglass cloth and resin method...I'm talking about a strip as wide as the valance and as long as the width of the car...in other words, don't attempt to make a two spot repairs, as for the amount of fiberglass and resin you'll, it will be noticeable if you attempt to feather each.  Rather, I suggest a coverage which is one continuous stretch, spanning beyond the damaged areas.  I would just to one continues straight stretch, stopping the repair upon the valance in a manner that is symmetric to either side.

Alternatively, you could go beyond each repair about ten inches farther out than the damaged area, but I prefer the former...going ahead and putting strip or two of cloth over a long run; then making my feather coming up.