Front bumper skin accident repair

[ScottD]

OK, I was at the grocery store the other night and I park next to one of these new "order your groceries online and pick them up" lanes. Problem is if you are parked next to it when you come out to your car in the dark, there is a yellow cement post in your blind spot off the rear corner of the 4runner. Yes, I know it was there when I pulled in but I have a short attention span.

Anyway, as I was backing out and looking out the rear window I cut the wheel and the bright yellow cement post apparently moved to hit the front corner of my front bumper. And it hit hard.

Here is the damage. It didn't damage the fog light.

 

[RunninInGA]

So, which new bumper are you going with?

 

[ScottD]

So...before it had time to take a set (16 hours later) I pulled the bumper skin off.

I was lucky the the only damage was to the skin and missed the fog light and the front fender and headlight and headlight trim piece.

 

[ScottD]

I pushed it back into shape and used a heat gun on the inside surface. The heat gun worked wonders. Some areas i didn't have to hardly touch, just apply heat and it went back into shape on its own.

Used rubbing compound to remove the yellow paint. It still had someareas where the paint was gone and a place where the paint cracked pretty bad.

There is one place on the upward facing surface that is slightly out of shape but mostly unnoticeable.

 

[ScottD]

This is the view from the front. You can see around the fog light space the paint is cracked.

Spot sanded those areas down and used duplicolor rattle can paint and clear coat. That stuff is great for spots like this.

and the finished repair.

 

[Chewbaccam]

You sure showed that yellow marker what's up! In all seriousness, that is a pretty awesome repair!

 

[CookieRoe]

Wow, I'm impressed. Especially silver, it is a PITA to match.

 

[Drunner97]

Nice Job!

 

[Bumbo]

Very impressive OP. Nice work on the repair.

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

You're a beast dude, good job with the repair

 

[ScottD]

Thanks. But I ruined a perfectly good opportunity to buy a new front bumper.

 

[AuSeeker]

Thanks. But I ruined a perfectly good opportunity to buy a new front bumper.

Great repair job!

It's the thought that counts, if the thought of the bumper cover still being slightly damaged underneath the repair and touchup paint is eating you up inside then by all means get that new bumper!!! :rockon:

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Color me impressed! Nice work there.

 

[wtmtnrunner]

nice work!

Good job on the repair job, my wife ran into a carriage corral once, unfortunately it was the metal door... Also, love the hidden winch set up you have, will have to pursue that option