Mismatch paint color on rear bumper

jgs1564 · 12-24-2007, 06:37 PM

I purchased a Classic Silver 2008 Prius (Pkg. #5) about 1 month ago. There is a very noticeable difference in the paint on the rear bumper as compared to the rest of the car - it's about two shades darker. Has anyone else with a Classic Siver Prius noticed this same problem. I'm wondering if I should talk to my dealer about respraying the bumper or if I should just live with it.

Any feedback and advice is appreciated. Happy holidays to all !!!

Marvinh · 12-24-2007, 10:57 PM

I don't think repainting the bumper is a good idea. Factory paint is always the best. Overspraying the factory paint would probably chip off in later years.

Marvin

Boo · 12-24-2007, 11:38 PM

I do not own a Silver Prius, but I can say that I've never noticed a mismatch paint color on the rear bumper of a new Prius or any new car for that matter.

I don't think that I could live with a new car that has a bumper two shades darker than the rest of the car. That's not right. The dealer should order you a new bumper cover and have it painted and clear coated exactly as the factory would do it. I think this is a better solution than having the dealer repaint the existing bumper which, as Marvin pointed out, invariably results in more easily chipped paint.

ceric · 12-25-2007, 12:33 AM

When a vehicle is old (due to paint fading), even factory paint does not match automatically any more. It takes experiences to get a perfect match.

IsrAmeriPrius · 12-25-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvinh

I don't think repainting the bumper is a good idea. Factory paint is always the best. Overspraying the factory paint would probably chip off in later years.

That's assuming that the car was not damaged in transit and the bumper repainted thereafter.

Dave · 12-25-2007, 12:00 PM

I'm guessing that your rear bumper was damaged at some point. Mine was damaged at the dealer when I took it in for a service. They replaced the bumper and repainted it. It's close, but not a perfect match.

cairo94507 · 12-28-2007, 09:55 AM

I believe if you look around you will see this is a lot more common than you might think. The plastic bumper covers apparently accept paint differently that the metal bodies, causing the appearance of a differing shade of paint. Particularly visible on the metalic colors.
Both front and rear of my 2005 Tidelands Pearl Prius are different than the body. That is the way it came from Toyota -no accident damage. I have seen this same thing on many other cars aside from the Prius.
And no, I would not havethem repainted to try to correct the difference.

jgs1564 · 12-28-2007, 09:44 PM

Thank you all for your feedback and advice - it's greatly appreciated. Cairo94507, you're right: I've noticed that the rear bumpers on other Classic Silver Prius' (Prii???) are a slightly different shade (usually darker), so apparently this is not too uncommon. I've decided to leave the bumper alone and live with it. Other than that, I'm enjoying my new car.

Warmest wishes to everyone for a happy and safe New Year!!

12-24-2007, 06:37 PM	#1
jgs1564 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 15 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Mismatch paint color on rear bumper I purchased a Classic Silver 2008 Prius (Pkg. #5) about 1 month ago. There is a very noticeable difference in the paint on the rear bumper as compared to the rest of the car - it's about two shades darker. Has anyone else with a Classic Siver Prius noticed this same problem. I'm wondering if I should talk to my dealer about respraying the bumper or if I should just live with it. Any feedback and advice is appreciated. Happy holidays to all !!!

12-24-2007, 10:57 PM	#2
Marvinh Marvin Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NY - Long Island Posts: 138 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Mismatch paint color on rear bumper I don't think repainting the bumper is a good idea. Factory paint is always the best. Overspraying the factory paint would probably chip off in later years. Marvin

12-24-2007, 11:38 PM	#3
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4,296 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 167 Thanked 304 Times in 155 Posts Friends: 22	Re: Mismatch paint color on rear bumper I do not own a Silver Prius, but I can say that I've never noticed a mismatch paint color on the rear bumper of a new Prius or any new car for that matter. I don't think that I could live with a new car that has a bumper two shades darker than the rest of the car. That's not right. The dealer should order you a new bumper cover and have it painted and clear coated exactly as the factory would do it. I think this is a better solution than having the dealer repaint the existing bumper which, as Marvin pointed out, invariably results in more easily chipped paint. __________________ Best regards, Tom 07 Magnetic Gray #2 - GY TripleTreds 195/60R15, BT Tech Stiffening Plate & Strut Tower Brace, Philips X-Treme Power Headlights, Webasto 4300 Sunroof, Sharkfin Antenna, Chrome Wheelskins Wheel Covers & Door Handles, BumperDefender.com Bumper Guard Strips, Body Side Moldings & Rear Bumper Protector, NoBump.com License Plate Screw Bumpers, Bumper Bully, Sheepskin Seat Cover, Leather Steering Wheel Cover, Leather Center Console Cover, Center-Hump Litter Basket, Non-Slip Pads, Dalmatian Bobble Heads.

12-25-2007, 12:33 AM	#4
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 1,041 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 16 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Mismatch paint color on rear bumper When a vehicle is old (due to paint fading), even factory paint does not match automatically any more. It takes experiences to get a perfect match.

12-25-2007, 12:00 PM	#6
Dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 333 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Mismatch paint color on rear bumper I'm guessing that your rear bumper was damaged at some point. Mine was damaged at the dealer when I took it in for a service. They replaced the bumper and repainted it. It's close, but not a perfect match.

12-28-2007, 09:55 AM	#7
cairo94507 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Ramon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 808 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Mismatch paint color on rear bumper I believe if you look around you will see this is a lot more common than you might think. The plastic bumper covers apparently accept paint differently that the metal bodies, causing the appearance of a differing shade of paint. Particularly visible on the metalic colors. Both front and rear of my 2005 Tidelands Pearl Prius are different than the body. That is the way it came from Toyota -no accident damage. I have seen this same thing on many other cars aside from the Prius. And no, I would not havethem repainted to try to correct the difference.

12-28-2007, 09:44 PM	#8
jgs1564 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 15 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Mismatch paint color on rear bumper Thank you all for your feedback and advice - it's greatly appreciated. Cairo94507, you're right: I've noticed that the rear bumpers on other Classic Silver Prius' (Prii???) are a slightly different shade (usually darker), so apparently this is not too uncommon. I've decided to leave the bumper alone and live with it. Other than that, I'm enjoying my new car. Warmest wishes to everyone for a happy and safe New Year!!