Rear Bumper damage fix options.

[Krazynative]

My neighbor backed into the left corner of the rear bumper. What are my options in getting this fixed? I dought this can be repaired and needs to be replaced. I have the Blizzard White Pearl paint, which I've heard is almost impossible to Paint-match. Does Toyota have body parts in stock that are pre-painted?

 

[DexTech]

take it to a body shop, today they even have shops that specialize in plastic bumpers. If the bumper isn't cracked they can probably pop it out. That should save your paint

 

[chaz]

:iagree: there use to be a few places that sell em painted on ebay.

 

[Krazynative]

take it to a body shop, today they even have shops that specialize in plastic bumpers. If the bumper isn't cracked they can probably pop it out. That should save your paint

Unfortunately the paint is scratched off the bumper, so even if they could staighten it out it would have to be painted.

The good news is that my insurence (AAA) said it is my call on how I get it fixed. Mind you that this was the person on the phone filling out my claim info and not the actual adjuster. If this is true, I'm getting a new one!

No way am I going to mess around with E-bay and a Pearl paint job. I respect this truck too much to do that to it.

 

[DRC]

Ouch! Personally I would not go near any shop that says they can pop it out and color match it. Bottom line is these parts are not meant to be fixed and are disposable. Any shop worth their salt will replace it.

I have lots of experience painting cars and plastics are the worst. Toyota uses what’s call “Toyota Super Olefine Polymer Plastic” for these parts. Basically, olefin plastics use a wax in the molding process so the parts don’t stick to the forming molds. The problem with this is that the plastics are waxy and paints don’t adhere well. Once the part gets damaged and the surface coating compromised, e.g. the paint is flexed too much, you really can’t properly fix it. You’ll need to strip the paint down to raw plastic, apply a chemical adhesion promoter and use flexible body filler to smooth out the waves, dents, etc. With this type of plastic this kind of repair just does not hold up and you are asking for trouble a few years down the road. Additionally, this amount of labor is just way to costly to even consider so most any shop will just replace it.

It should not cost you more than about $800 to have a shop replace and paint the bumper. The part, pre-primed, costs about $180 or so (this is new aftermarket part). Do an internet search and you can check the pricing for the part. The labor, paint, removal and install will cost the rest. If you go through a Toyota body shop, they will charge somewhere around $1200.

Don’t think of this as a bad thing. It’s an opportunity for you to get an upgrade. Go to 2 or 3 body shops for estimates and submit these to the insurance for reimbursement. Then go buy a nice metal bumper like this:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/75866-new-aluminum-front-rear-bumpers.html

 

[Krazynative]

Don’t think of this as a bad thing. It’s an opportunity for you to get an upgrade. Go to 2 or 3 body shops for estimates and submit these to the insurance for reimbursement. Then go buy a nice metal bumper like this:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/75866-new-aluminum-front-rear-bumpers.html

LOL Not really my style, but that would teach anyone else that hit my 4R a lesson or two on backing up!

I think since it's not my dime I'll get one from Toyota. Does anyone know if I can get one pre-painted? I guess I can call tomorrow.

 

[DRC]

Does anyone know if I can get one pre-painted? I guess I can call tomorrow.

Nope. Most shops will not pre-paint because there are slight color variations in the paint. Even though they will start with the base paint code there are usually some adjustments they will make so its a perfect match and they will need you truck to do this.

 

[Krazynative]

Nope. Most shops will not pre-paint because there are slight color variations in the paint. Even though they will start with the base paint code there are usually some adjustments they will make so its a perfect match and they will need you truck to do this.

Makes sense... Never had a car painted before. Thanks

 

[KB084RUNNER]

Had the same "injury" on our Rav4. The Toyota cetified shop painted the new bumper off the car then installed it. I didn't like the color match and they did it again. Now it matches perfect.

 

[12guns]

That's an easy repair, 3-4 hours labor, overhaul the rear cover, and they will paint to match. Plastic covers are repaired all the time, even with alot more damage than that. Any good shop will take good care of you for waaay less than replacement cost. I've even seen a bumper completely torn into and glued/plastic welded back together w/ a special epoxy just to prove a point. It can be done and the repaired part was stronger than the rest of the bumper. Shops will tell you it needs to be replaced because they make mark up on the part.
Also, as for the paint match, any good shop will match it just fine, but that's all the more reason the repair it vs. replaceing it.
Lastly, anytime you buy a new part aftermarket, oem, or remanufacured, you run the risk of the holes not matching up just right which means a crappy fit. Since you know your cover fits just find a good shop that will hook you up! Good luck!!

 

[Trevloc]

i had an old lady rear end me in a parking lot, jacked up my left side bumper. so i took it to a shop, they ordered complete new one. then a few days later i dropped my car off for a day and took a rental. looked as if it never happened. it was a beauty. her insurance paid for it all, but i think it was around 650. i am glad she had insurance, being in tucson, if you get hit, its more than likely going to be a hit and run cause 50% of the people here dont have insurance. :lmao:

but i wouldnt worry about it, no matter where you take it im sure it wont be their first time replacing a bumper on a 4runner.

 

[gm350reratliff]

i am glad she had insurance, being in tucson, if you get hit, its more than likely going to be a hit and run cause 50% of the people here dont have insurance.

The same goes for most of NM.

 

[galactic_04]

Pearl paint isn't a biggie for an experienced shop. Pearl paint has been around since the late 80's. My dad had a 91 Audi with pearl white and when it was repaired it looked great back in 94. It's nothing new, just use a shop that people tell you to use, NOT WHERE THE INSURANCE SAYS TO GO!

One example of this is my friend's Audi TT needed the front end fixe and he went where the insurance said to. He took it back 4 times to get it right and they told him "he was bieng too picky" cause it was wire clips, headlight washer NOT WORKING, and "little things". He took it where I said in the first place and they spent $5000 fixing what the other shop had already done! The missed 1/2 the screws up front, wire clips not there, broke the HID headlight housing, etc.

 

[12guns]

Final thoughts and I'll leave this one alone...
If you do pick your own shop, keep in mind the repairs are between you and the shop. So if the shop says you are being too picky or the repairs are as good as it can get, you're screwed.
IF you go to a reputable body shop that is a prefered shop for the insurance company two things will happen. One you will prolly get a lifetime warantee, and two the insurance company will back up what the shop does and make it right if they mess up. If you are not familier w/ the shops in your area, you might want to ask around or take the insurance up on their offer. Main thing is to not allow them to TELL you where to go as it is your vehicle and your choice. I've had people turn down our prefered shop, then call me back complaining that THEIR shop did a crappy job. Tough luck that they picked a sucky shop! It can go both ways, maybe you can find a shop that is reputable and set up with the insurance company? Good luck!!

 

[euy]

OK....i really don't want to read all the post but from scanning though them i saw a few things that i thought were a little off base.

i just picked up my 4R on wednesday (1/19) that had very similar damage. i had a scratched bumper AND a big scratch on the quarter panel and fender flare. i went through my insurance and went to their suggested body shops to get estimates. their estimates were $640 and $677. i ended up getting it fixed at a friends body shop to give him the business, insurance paid for everything.

looking at your damage AND having the estimates from all three shops in from of me. here is what i think you would be looking at:

$225 in labor (take off and replacement, painting, refinishing, etc) 6 hrs work billed @ $38
$200 to recondition/replace the bumper skin
$125 for materials

so you looking around $550.

difference from my estimate is the labor coast from the repair of the quarter panel (1 hr) and replacement cost of my mud flap.

if you are planning on getting it done and are coming out of pocket for it. find a local body shop, there are plenty of really good body shops in torrance/redondo/gardena area, get an estimate for repair of the bumper whether its replaced or reconditioned and paint. you can save some money by taking off the bumper and bringing it to them and putting it on yourself after its repaired.

also, don't be too picky about it, its just a bumper.

hope this helps =)

-e

 

[Krazynative]

there are plenty of really good body shops in torrance/redondo/gardena area

Do you know of any off hand that you could recomend?

also, don't be too picky about it, its just a bumper.

I know it's just a bumper, but I bought this thing new and this is the first damage of any sort to it. Since someone else damaged it and is paying... I want it back the way it was. I don't think that is being too pickey. Is it?


Thanks to all the advice everyone has given. I just talked to my adjuster. As soon as I find the shop I want that is on thier list AAA approved they will take over. I'd rather go with an approved shop by AAA for their backup in getting done it right.

 

[euy]

I know it's just a bumper, but I bought this thing new and this is the first damage of any sort to it. Since someone else damaged it and is paying... I want it back the way it was. I don't think that is being too pickey. Is it?

no that's not being picky. i was the same way, my scratch wasn't that bad either but since it wasn't my fault i just wanted it back to the way it was.

you will be in good hands with AAA recommendations. good luck.

 

[high08bp]

Blizzard Pearl Paint issues

I too had a rear bumper damaged and had to have it fixed. They replaced and painted, the insurance company would not allow the shop to blend into the rear quarter panels and then had me take it to the Toyota dealer shop who said they could match the paint, well went to pick up the car yesterday and it was still the same mismatched color as when I brought it in. I did not accept the car and am really pissed that they even though I would accept it that way! Any suggestions? I am concerned they will never get it right!

 

[12guns]

I too had a rear bumper damaged and had to have it fixed. They replaced and painted, the insurance company would not allow the shop to blend into the rear quarter panels and then had me take it to the Toyota dealer shop who said they could match the paint, well went to pick up the car yesterday and it was still the same mismatched color as when I brought it in. I did not accept the car and am really pissed that they even though I would accept it that way! Any suggestions? I am concerned they will never get it right!

The reason the insurance company wouldn't allow them to blend is b/c the plastic bumper cover takes the paint different that sheetmetal. It's a common normal issue. Go out to a new car lot and look at the bumper cover vs. rest of the car. You'll see that it's completely normal. Your cover was slightly off before, you just didn't know it. You can get a shop to go the extra mile and spend the extra time to tint and match the paint but you don't want anybody to blend into the quarter. If they blend, they will tape off around the trim and window, the have to "burn in" the clear coat or have to clearn the entire side body of the 4runner. Bottom line, don't blend. Ask some shops about the bumper cover being a different shade, you find that it's normal. Even my wife's 08' Accord w/ the pearl white has that issue.

Funny to me how shops always make the insurance company out the be the bad guys, rather than just telling you the truth about plastic covers. Afterall if they could have blended half your 4runner, it would have been money in their pockets!
Hope you find a shop that can match it to your satisfaction. Keep in mind you'll be paying to remove and refinish the bumper cover out of pocket. Good luck!

 

[6starbucks]

well it doesn't look like your paint is too f'ed up so you can actually just take off the bumper, use a source of heat(not alot) and slowly work it out with a rubber hammer then see how your paint looks and touch up or get it re painted/ bondo'd to make it look natural.