Bumper

Okay, so I was being an idiot backing out tonght in an EXTREMELY tight spot at a crowded bar and bumped into a metal dumpster, causing a scratch (non surface) on the bumper that I can't just pass. I wish that I could have said I was drinking to make it seem like I wasn't as big of an idiot :). Anyways the damage is only to the plastic bumper and none of the surrounding body.

a) If I do take it to body shop to have bumper repainted, what should the price range be (of course Cost of living etc in area will vary)?

b) Are there any alternative repair methods that have worked for anyone? I have seen ads during a google search for plastic bumper repairs for these mobile teams and think that they may be snake oil type repairs. However, they might not be.

I don't want to be ripped off and I want a good repair. This sucks especially since I just had the thing fixed from my parking lot hit and run that caused $1600 worth of body damage and I had to pay insurance decutable :eek: .

Oh well, its crap like this that I save up money for. Thanks a bunch.

Here is a picture of the damage:


http://members.cox.net/jessepenny/scratch.jpg

If you take it to a body shop they are going to charge upwards of $500 or more. The plastic bumpers are repairable. Your damage is bad but not that bad.

You could DIY with the plastic repair kit with the special compound and finish it the best you can and then just have a shop paint it.

Another alternative that I've seen are these auto detailers that specialize in minor and cosmetic repair. They'll use plastic repair compound, do the refinishing and air brush paint the base and then clear top coat. They also use heat guns to repair any deformity. Its a lot cheaper. Good luck!



http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/gtp.jpg
Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 104s,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials

I have to run into the body shop anyways to have them look at the molding they replaced. I think it's becoming unglued. I will get an estimate there.

I will also look at the DIY kits to see how handy you have to be to use them. I tend to be a perfectionist so that means that if time is an issue, it will wokr against me since I take forever at times to get it right.

Thanks again for all your help there.

I have to run into the body shop anyways to have them look at the molding they replaced. I think it's becoming unglued. I will get an estimate there.

I will also look at the DIY kits to see how handy you have to be to use them. I tend to be a perfectionist so that means that if time is an issue, it will wokr against me since I take forever at times to get it right.

Thanks again for all your help there.


Curious about what the estimate comes out to. Body shops hate me because I won't hesitate to take it back to them if they don't get it right the first time. Good luck!




http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/gtp.jpg
Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 104s,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials

spare the half grand a body shop will cost you, www.paintscratch.com get yourself a kit and diy...go with a spray paint and primer, sand down the area until its smooth (if those are gashes fill them with body filler and sand it again), tape it off, spray primer let dry overnight (can be used to fill scratches sand it if you want), spray paint and then clear coat...there will be a box where you painted around because of the tape, but take some rubbing compound and it wont be that bad, of course it wont be perfect but hey its better then now and youre only spending less then 50 bucks and can repair alot more then just that area...you get used to touch up after a few scratches and then it will look much better the the first time.

I have a crack under the license plate thats been there for a couple years and then some Ahole put a big scar across the back bumper in a parking lot. A place called Bumper Medic gave me an estimate of $350 to fix both. I'm having it done next week.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/ericrose/scratch1.jpg

I wish that I had my cameara back after my May accident. My sister was borrowing it at the time.

Someone while I was in a store smashed into the panel behind the Drivers Side door. Didn't leave a note either!

Oh well.

Don't you just hate people! :banghead:

That "boo boo" was $1600 after all was said and done.

Great to walk outside from the store and see the drivers side of your car smashed in. Insurance comany called the store and they "checked a tape" and "didn't see anything."

I'm sure it was either a poor security camera setup or a cart pusher ran into the car and ran and the company was covering their butt.

But the latter is if you believe in conspiracy therories.

if its got a mettalic flake to it that'll bump up the price. there a pain in the a$$ to get a good blended edge on a spot like that.