front bumper repair?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 752
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From: South Jersey
I did some poor driving and have a deep scratch in my front bumper. I also have a scrape in my front spoiler that I did a long time ago from some more poor driving. I took it to a body shop (the same guy that repaired my door when my car got busted into when it was two weeks old 
), and he gave me an estimate of about $550 to fix the scratch and the scrape. The scrape is only about $65 of the cost. He is going to repaint the whole front bumper (which it needs actually) but I was wondering if people here thought that was a fair price. Oh, my car is white.
The price included the removal and reinstallation of both the front bumper and the front spoiler, repair of the scratch, paint, and paint time. And oh yeah, I have one of Rick's badges up front, is there a way I could remove it without destroying it and still be able to put it back on when I get the car back. Thanks for the help.
ERIK
), and he gave me an estimate of about $550 to fix the scratch and the scrape. The scrape is only about $65 of the cost. He is going to repaint the whole front bumper (which it needs actually) but I was wondering if people here thought that was a fair price. Oh, my car is white.The price included the removal and reinstallation of both the front bumper and the front spoiler, repair of the scratch, paint, and paint time. And oh yeah, I have one of Rick's badges up front, is there a way I could remove it without destroying it and still be able to put it back on when I get the car back. Thanks for the help.
ERIK
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Baltimore
First of all, Rick's badges can be reused... not a problem... 3M adhesive works great... just make sure you have a clean surface to reapply the adhesive to....
But the price sounds too high if you are using the same bumper. You usually do not want to paint over a bumper once it's been painted... you can do it, but it provides a less true surface for your new paint to hold on to... and there is further complication as to how much flex agent needs to be added for the new paint to adhere to (and be flexible) against the old surface. Best bet is to get a new bumper, get it painted, and get a written guarantee from your paint guy against paint flecks, spidering, or cracks (again, from lack of flex agent or improper painting)... Last bit of recommendation is to get the bumper (esp.. the front bumper, given the natural tendencies for rock chips and the sort...) covered with Colgan or a similar product a month after it was painted... after the painted has fully cured...
good luck...
But the price sounds too high if you are using the same bumper. You usually do not want to paint over a bumper once it's been painted... you can do it, but it provides a less true surface for your new paint to hold on to... and there is further complication as to how much flex agent needs to be added for the new paint to adhere to (and be flexible) against the old surface. Best bet is to get a new bumper, get it painted, and get a written guarantee from your paint guy against paint flecks, spidering, or cracks (again, from lack of flex agent or improper painting)... Last bit of recommendation is to get the bumper (esp.. the front bumper, given the natural tendencies for rock chips and the sort...) covered with Colgan or a similar product a month after it was painted... after the painted has fully cured...
good luck...
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: pearland
550 is the price for a new painted bumper. repair alone should be 200-300. how deep are the scratches? if they are not too deep, you can use rubbing coumpound to rub them out and then buff up with 3m or Mcquire X scratch.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 752
Likes: 8
From: South Jersey
It is a deep scratch. Made a mark into the bumper. Can see black. Hmmm, I was wondering about that. It seemed a bit high to me. I know it's not for a new bumper because we talked about removing the badge. I guess I'll have to get another opinion. If anyone is in the central or north Jersey area that has a good body guy, please let me know.
ERIK
ERIK
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 752
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From: South Jersey
Ok, if I were going to keep the car, I would totally agree with you rick. The problem is that the car is a lease and the lease runs out in May, 2003. I will be giving the car back. There is no question about that. So I'm a little torn. I'm not going to keep the scratch, but should I do it "right" or do the quick fix, and live with it for the year. I don't think Honda will inspect it close enough to charge me for it when I turn it in.
ERIK
ERIK
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Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Baltimore
Considering the car is a lease, then I am with RayN's suggestion... There are a bunch of good companies out there that go dealer to dealer fixing problems like yours.... at a fraction of the traditional costs... Go this route, and you'll be just as happy while saving your nickels...
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Grand Rapids
If you have your bumper repainted (or if you buy a new bumper and have that painted) you're going to get a lot more rock chips... If you decided to get your bumper repainted I would suggest getting a clear bra (ie. stonguard).
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Franklin
Erik,
I feel your pain. I have a 2002 Spa yellow and had someone bump my front bumper in my parking garage at the office. I had to get a new bumper cover, new S badge and now we are in the process of having it painted a 3rd time to try and get the paint to match.
Unlike yourself, I paid cash for my car and would like to keep it for awhile. This has been a very frustrating process with the paint color and the pearl finish to match the rest of the car.
Here is what I would like to know, Is there any possible way to order a factory painted bumper cover? At this point price would not be much of an issue. It is strange that you can order spoiler both front and back factory painted but I am being told not bumper covers.
Any ideas?
I feel your pain. I have a 2002 Spa yellow and had someone bump my front bumper in my parking garage at the office. I had to get a new bumper cover, new S badge and now we are in the process of having it painted a 3rd time to try and get the paint to match.
Unlike yourself, I paid cash for my car and would like to keep it for awhile. This has been a very frustrating process with the paint color and the pearl finish to match the rest of the car.Here is what I would like to know, Is there any possible way to order a factory painted bumper cover? At this point price would not be much of an issue. It is strange that you can order spoiler both front and back factory painted but I am being told not bumper covers.
Any ideas?