a retrofit kit includes brackets and a readily replaceable impactable cover plate for protecting a conventional polymeric bumper at a loading dock . in some cases , the retrofit kit includes an adjustment feature that allows the impactable cover plate to fit bumpers of various projections , wherein a bumper &# 39 ; s projection is the distance that the bumper protrudes away from the wall or other surface to which the bumper is attached . the impactable plate can be installed to protect various types of conventional bumpers such as unitary molded bumpers or those that comprise a stack of rubber pads . the impactable plate is designed to be more durable and easier to replace than the original bumper itself . the kit and method can be used for retrofitting bumpers made of rubber , plastic or other polymers .