Bumper scratches - how to repair/replace?

Sorry to see such a bad set of scratches. It's nearly impossible to make an invisible repair for something that bad. Unless it's an illusion, I think I see 4 other marks or guffs in that bumper. It looks like a replacement might be necessary.

BTW, I had a small ding the size of a dime in my rear bumper and tried to fix it with OEM spray paint. You can still see it, but I'll live with it.

 

A lady backed into the left side of my bumper and scratched it pretty badly. Her insurance had it repaired (last week) like new in one day for less than $650 with a written lifetime warranty so it can be fixed!!

 

Be aware that the cost of auto body work in California is much higher than in Georgia. I had some scratches and they wanted almost $1200 to repaint my bumper. I'm just outside of San Francisco, CA where everything cost through the nose ($5 loaf of bread, $5 box of cereal, etc).

Tom G.

 

I just got my car back from the body shop after being hit in the rear while I was stopped at a light. They took off the bumper cover, repaired one spot, repainted the entire bumper and put back on the "Prius" decal on the rear bumper, the bill was about $650. Glad the lady who hit me had insurance.

 

If the scratches are deep enough to feel with a fingernail, repainting as described above is really the only way to restore the undamaged look.

 

+1--I had to have the rear bumper repainted for a parking lot rub on the right side that actually put a little gouge in the bumper. I expected a replacement was needed but they said they heat it up, smooth it out, and repaint. Skeptical, but it is perfect. About $500 in NC, at a very good shop.

 

Maybe that was your shoe...if the 2 long scratches are the only damage, maybe it can be fixed. But take a close look at them sideways to be sure there isn't some (even slight) indentation in the bumper from the scratch. If so, a repair might still be noticeable. Members have suggested it's possible to get it repaired like new, but is there a body shop in Irvine that can do this? For $650+ you might be getting close to a new bumper anyway.

Someone else would have to answer if you can do it yourself. Unless you have access to a body shop painting booth, I'd leave it to the pros.

 

This seems to be in the category "If you have to ask then the answer is no." A body shop can do the job. How cheap? Ask. I doubt it can be made "like new" in the driveway with amateur products & talent.

How much are the scratches worth? After these are fixed what's going to be done with the next one?

For some reason the rear bumper picks up vertical scratches. Due to the location of my scratch/gouge it can't be from loading cargo.

The OP may be able to work out the one on the right through the shoe reflection. The 2 big ones may have to be sanded & filled. I suspect something was dragged up the bumper while loading.

 

I often wonder why they're still called "bumpers"?

Our first car was an '81 Civic, came with chromed steel bumpers, with a wide plain rubber contact strip, mounted with shock absorbers.

I know, not exactly a fashion statement. But they acted as bumpers.

 

Here is a link for a video from applied colors. I managed to mess up the lower corner of my bumper and just ordered the kit without color, because I had already ordered the touch up paint from Toyota. I'm expecting mine today, so I can't tell you how it works yet. I figure its worth a shot before shelling out big bucks for a repair.

 

Looks like the perfect place for a Romney for president bumper sticker. You would be contributing to two fixes, in one step.

 

I have a general question about colors. I am thinking of either getting blizzrd pearl, silver, or winter grey. I think the silver is probably the best for not showing day to day dirt. Which color is best for not showing scratches in the bumper? My wife points out all the white prius's with black marks on the bumpers. Does winter grey hide more than silver?

 

A girl side swiped my bumper cover and took out the corner of it. I took it to Royalty Auto Body, Inc., 1550 5th St., Santa Monica, CA. 90405 for an estimate as the girl's insurance would pay. The estimate was about $630. I took the money instead of having it repaired. They said they would take the bumper cover off and send it somewhere, where they would fix the corner, sand and repaint the entire thing. I was told that a new bumper cover would cost a little more than $1,000 (not sure how accurate that price is). It's only plastic, so I personally wouldn't pay the extra money for a new one, as I'm just waiting for the next person to scratch up my bumper cover again.

I know Santa Monica isn't very close to Irvine, but maybe you can give them a call for a referral in OC.

Mike

 

Look on ebay. You give them your VIN number and they send you a painted bumper delivered for $315.00 The rear bumper is very easy to remove and install.

 

It is actually pretty easy to repair. Buy scratch remover from retail auto shop. Try that out. If scratch is deep, experiment with different grades of sandpaper starting from lowest # 400-600 and slowly work up to 1200. Tape area off first, so you don't expand the area to be worked. If necessary you may have to use auto putty to fill in the scratch. Go to auto body shop and buy the right paint from your car. A spray can. Cover whole area with tape and newspaper to a distance of three feet, leaving only worked area open. Spray with fairly quick strokes, do not linger on one spot. After 1-2 passes most of area should be covered. WAIT! Do more tomorrow, or even 2-3 days later. If you spray too much and it runs, you will have to clean it all up and start sanding all over again! Pick a nice Sunny day. Spread the work over several weekends. IMPORTANT: Before you start spraying, clean area with finger nail polish remover. When you finish it will not look like a professional job. However it will look much better and only cost $15-20.

 

Most of the expense is labor for remove/reinstall and painting. A new bumper skin will require that plus the cost of a new skin.

If the OP has any doityourself skills, a product like Lanka may be good enough. It's not perfect but at least the next time it gets scratched won't bother him as much

Another option is to check Yelp! for "Bumper Repair". There are shops that specialize in that and even come to your home or place of business.

 

I woild love to know this answer too. I purchased car today. I picked the dark grey because of the bumper issues.... The reality is I don't love the color and would rather have white but I also don't like scratched bumpers. Especially white, also the white is a pearl color which looks amazing but if you scratch it. Much harder to paint. I hope I don't have buyers remorse.

 

I doubt you are going to have buyer's remorse.

I have a white 07 and it has some scuff marks, the guys at the full service car wash are pretty good about getting them out. Some folks put a piece of protective, sacrificial car vinyl, on the bumpers, especially the rear where you load/unload gear from the back.