Superwhite bumper mismatch again with photo

[sas0611]

I know I posted previously about the seemingly mismatched bumper colors on my 08' superwhite but it's beginning to bug me more and more. This time I've included a picture taken on a cloudy day for your kind inspection. The color difference seems less obvious on sunny days but I have included this photo taken on a cloudy day because it is more obvious in these lighting conditions. The rear bumper in this photo looks worse than the front but they are about the same in color. I would appreciate hearing your impressions about the image. I'd like to know if you think I'm being overly picky or 'if this was your new prius would it bother you enough to want the dealer to correct it'. I'd especially like to hear from other Superwhite owners to hear if their vehicles look similar to mine with respect to this 'problem'.

Thanks in advance !

[wchardin]

That is odd. It does look a shade darker than the rest of the car. I take it you bought the car new? I wouldn't think the dealer could sell it to you if it had body work done without telling you, but maybe they did. I would contact the dealership, or the sales person you bought it from and ask them. If you have a chance, take some more pictures, maybe up close and different angles.

[Dozzer]

If I bought a new car like that it'd go straight back to the dealer!
They are called colour coded bumpers for a reason...

[Qlara]

Not just your Prius, I did see other White cars (Camry, Ford Taurus, even Honda Accord) have such color mismatching phenomenon too. It looks like the White-Color Bumpers will have a shade darker compare to its body over time (due to weathering or sun-baking).

I wonder if it is the 'Flex-Agent' which usually used on plastic bumper to make paint more flexible (not cracking easier) causes the White color to oxidize (yellowing) more quickly.

[Sgt Tip]

There is also a thing called "IN TRANSIT REPAIR" . If the vehicle received some damage when it was in transit from the ship to the depot it could be repaired. The dealership would not be notified since the car is still owned by Toyota and does not have to be disclosed to the dealer. If the vehicle was repaired at the dealer then they would have to disclose it to the buyer. Color match is usually the give away that a repair was made.

[dwreed3rd]

Just an F.Y.I. White is the combination of all colors and as a result is one of the most difficult colors to match. In a past life, one of my many hats, was a dye inventory clerk. I calculated the various dye ingredients for colored Plexiglass and molding power orders. We had over 250 formulas for white. 1 for black. The difficulty of matching white is also compounded when trying to match colors on different surfaces/materials, such as bumpers, fenders and hoods, all of which I believe are made of different materials on the Prius. Probably more than you wanted to know.

[Neohybrid]

I'd say it's time to go back to the dealer and let them sort it out. I had a similar situation with a GM product back in the 80's when they were using the plastic/rubber pieces around those bumpers that stuck so far out from the car. The dealer must have repainted it four times before they got a match - and it wasn't white.

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by sas0611

I'd especially like to hear from other Superwhite owners to hear if their vehicles look similar to mine with respect to this 'problem'.

Thanks in advance !

I think you sent me a PM about this once. I after looking at your picture, I can say that my car does not have this issue. Even the rear bumper which was repainted 2 months after I got the car has a good match between the body color and bumper.

[fcc]

that would bother me and i would be back at the dealer instantly.
unacceptable for a brand new car. i assume you bought it new.

[sas0611]

Thanks for the replies. When I picked up the car it was a bright sunny day and I carefully checked all the metal body parts for dings and creases. Like I mentioned, it doesn't seem as apparent when sunny but it is still off. If it had been a used car I would probably have looked more carefully at panels for paint matching but I noticed this about a week after having the car. I suppose I should take it to an independent body shop first just to find out the real deal - whether it was hit and repainted or just poor finishing from toyota. Regardless of what they tell me, I think for my own peace of mind I'm going to have to insist that the dealer take the bumpers off and repaint them so they match the rest of the car. I doubt they'd go for this but if there is another superwhite have them switch my covers with ones from the new car. That way, the paint would be factory original and more durable.

My only two concerns are how they will hold up a year or so from now (ie, cracking,flaking). Also concerned for resell that the car will look like it was in an accident and required repainting .... I guess it already looks that way anyhow ?