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First Freeway war wound...NEED HELP on what to do now.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by priuslaw, Oct 4, 2009.

  1. priuslaw

    priuslaw New Member

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    Hello Fellow Prius peeps.. I need your help.

    On my way back from a weekend getaway, my 4 month old 2010 Prius Blue Ribbon Metallic was hit by a runaway brick that fell from an RV.

    Below is the damage. It looks worse than it does on the photo. There is an indent from the war would and the paint was chipped right off. Also it seems my plastic fog light inserts were pushed in.


    [​IMG]

    I don't think it's worth getting this repaired via the dealer as I know there will be more wounds in the future so i just need help on how to repair the damage. Where to buy the blue ribbon metallic touch up paint and learn how to pop out the fog light plastic inserts.

    Thank you all in advance for your help!! This forum and it's participants rock!
     
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I don't know, I think I would have a shop or dealer fix it. Yeah there will be more dings but this one is pretty big. In a year or two, it probably won't matter but for me, I would have it fixed right. Get many estimates and then make up your mind.
    Forget touch up paint! Yuck.
     
  3. a64pilot

    a64pilot Active Member

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    Buff out what you can or have it professionally repaired. Touch up paint may look worse than the damage
     
  4. RadioZero

    RadioZero Member

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    the fog light grey thingy just pushes in with clips. you should be able to drop the panel below the fog light (belly pan) and push the the grey panel back in place.
     
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  5. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    I can't imagine not fixing this. Would it not be covered by your comprehensive coverage (possibly $0 deductable)
     
  6. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    One more vote for skipping the touch up paint.

    You might want to see if you can help it a little with something like NuFinish Scratch Doctor found at any local auto parts store. It will not harm the clear coat, but may remove some of the whitish mark.

    Best to have a pro shop bring it back to OEM quality.

    Other than that, sorry about the damage.

    --------
    Just recalled that on mine, the plastic bumper is white below the paint, so maybe scratch remover won't do anything to help.
     
  7. priuslaw

    priuslaw New Member

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    i have 1k deductible.. what is the worst thing that could happen if i leave it as is.. it isn't that noticeable because it is low.
     
  8. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    You might want to get quotes for lower comprehensive deductible. I just cut mine in half from $500 to $250 and the premium only went up by $19 for the year.

    The bulk of insurance premiums is for Collision coverage.

    As for the damage, could have Toyota service and their preferred body shop check it out. At least they could lift it up to see the extent of damage.
     
  9. priuslaw

    priuslaw New Member

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    Do you know how to remove the drop the under panel?
     
  10. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    Look at it this way:

    Have it fixed properly or call it the patina.

    pat·i·na2 (păt'n-ə, pə-tē') [​IMG] also pa·tine (pă-tēn')
    n.

    A change in appearance produced by long-standing behavior, practice, or use: a face etched with a patina of fine lines and tiny wrinkles.
     
  11. priuslaw

    priuslaw New Member

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    Why can't i just leave it alone if it isn't that noticeable? i really just need to pop the fog light plastic insert in place. Any ideas?
     
  12. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    I agree you can leave it alone. The bumper cover is simply plastic, so you face no rusting or other changes over time -- except that more dings will be added. Check to see whether there are any loose or missing screws or other connectors holding the bumper cover in place or holding the fender insert (behind the wheel) in place.

    I have had more than my share of dings lately (Again & Again!! Third Time to be Hit in Four Months -- Back to the Same Repair Shop . . Again!), and I would be just fine leaving this (the bumper part) as is. Who knows when you may next be hit in a parking lot?!
     
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  13. Grateful11

    Grateful11 Member

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    We have a $0 deductible on Comprehensive through Farm Bureau and it didn't change the premium much at all.
     
  14. priuslaw

    priuslaw New Member

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    Yeah i agree with you.. i checked and there are no loose screws or other connectors holding the the bumper cover. it was really just that small part of chipped paint and the fog light plastic insert.
     
  15. Benggolf

    Benggolf Member

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    This may not what you want to hear, but I would take it to an authorized Toyota body shop and have it repaired. I couldn't get myself to drive my car that has been "wounded". :eek:

    Suggest you get your deductable lowered asap. ;)
     
  16. priuslaw

    priuslaw New Member

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    why would i get it repaired knowing that more damage could occur on the bumper? I also plan to buy a kit in the future so might as well save for that instead of spending it on minor repairs with a big $$$
     
  17. mindmachine

    mindmachine Member

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    Touch up paint is available thru your Toyota dealer parts dept. I always buy a tube of touch up. it only cost about $13. I use extra fine rubbing compound first because you would be surprised with jus t a little light rubbing some of the white mark will go away, light scratches will disappear. Also then I use the touch up sparingly and after it dries thoroughly I sometime use more rubbing compound to remove excess touch up.

    I use the extra fine rubbing compound which you can buy at NAPA I think it is 3M it is about $12 a bottle but goes a long way. I use the extra fine as it cuts very slowly. On small stone chips I even use cue tips sometimes to apply the rubbing compound, thats when I am getting close to a final blend in. It takes time and paitence, but you can fix it yourself to where you wont see it with out real close inspection.
     
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  18. morpheusx

    morpheusx Professor Chaos

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    You do need to change your deductible of $1000 especially for comprehensive. I work for an insurance company and I will tell you that I rarely see anyone save more then $25 for a 6 month policy with a $1000 deductible. I highly recommend $100 deductibles for both your collision and comp. especially if you are over the age of 25.
    Comprehensive covers all incidents when it comes to hitting animals, hail damage, theft, etc... Another benefit if it is a comp. claim is that you can't be surcharged or lose an accident free / claim free discount.
    If you hit a piece of debris it really is dependent upon both your state and insurance company, but would likely be considered a collision claim. In any case go to any decent body shop and tell them that you were just wanting to fix it out of pocket to make it look less noticeable and they may have quick and cheap solution, many of these places do remarkable work.
     
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  19. priuslaw

    priuslaw New Member

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    anyone know how to remove the front bottom plastic cover so i can pop in the plastic fog light plastic inserts?
     
  20. priuslaw

    priuslaw New Member

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    has anyone opened the bottom front part?