Attention Body work Gurus: quick question

[emersonLP]

I went to a couple body shops to get some estimates on getting my rear bumper repaired. The bumper itself is not cracked, but has some surface scratches, the paint is spiderwebbed all over.
Shop one: wants to replace bumper - says the surface scratches may affect the paint job and wants to blend paint onto the rear quarters and trunk. $1333.00 <--lifetime warranty

Shop 2: wants to replace bumper also, but when i asked about blending the paint onto the quarters he replied "new car bumpers dont even match because metal and plastic are different, no need to blend" $820.00

Shop 3: says they plan to repair the current rear bumper since they are only surface scratches and will tint the paint to color match the bumper, but also wont blend onto the rear quarters. $512.00

Anyone with body shop experience have insight into what is the best route to take? The car is no show car, but I love it and I want it to look perfect to the untrained eye at least.

Pics:
http://photos.freshalloy.com/gallery/d/18584-1/rear+bumper+2.jpg
http://photos.freshalloy.com/gallery/d/18580-1/rear+bumper+1.jpg

[S13FREEAAK]

I've been working at dealerships for the last 4 years, I've seen worse damage to bumpers just repaired and resprayed.

[Cloud9]

I've seen worse damage to bumpers just repaired and resprayed.
agreed, no need to replace.

[emersonLP]

Thanks guys, guess I might as well go with the cheaper shop. What about color blending? is color matching the bumper good enough, or is blending onto the rear quarter important?

[twofourzerosx]

jesus body shops are expensive. if i were you (but i have painting experinece and equipment) i would find a used bumper for 100 bucks and spend the other 600ish you would have spent on a bodyshop to do JUST THAT on buying paint/tape/bodyfiller/sandpaper and spray the whole damn car. i think i spent under 600 on my whole paint job. and thats with good quality paint. trick is doing stuff urself if you have the time/place/and skills or willingness to learn.

[emersonLP]

Well someone else is paying for it since they hit my car. I would love to respray the car myself, but I dont have the equipment or experience, and time is the real problem. Im a full time college student with a job and I dont have a garage. Also this is my daily driver. If it was feasible, I would do it all myself and learn as I go just like all my other car projects.

[contranication]

you shouldn't need to replace and I definetely don't suggest blending but damm well better color match if not you make them redo it. Blending if not done correctly leaves your clear coats uneven and if you were to ever have your car buffed they might burn through your clear at the blend. Personally, I would prep the whole car to paint and then maaco it for 250 they are decent if you do the prep work right

[emersonLP]

I thought about doing all the prep work then paying someone to just spray it, but I doubt its possible until after this semester, I just dont have the space at my apartment or time. Perhaps I will just save the money and do it right this summer when I have more time.

[drftwerks]

umm for that price you could probably buy a kit? and have them paint it close enough for decent price

[S13FREEAAK]

Don't have them blend it into the quarter. Just have the bumper fixed and resprayed. A decent bodyshop should be able to match the bumper to the rest of the car since it is white.

[EJ253]

sand it off. get it resprayed

[S14DB]

Don't Blend. Man, they'll scam for any money these days. If they can't match white they have issues.

The only choices are to sand down the bumper and respray or new bumper and spray.
1) sanding is cheaper usually cause the labor is less than a new bumper. The problem is that if they don't do a good job and use flex agents the paint below can fight the new paint and you'll get spider cracks.

2) New bumper is new and a fresh coat of paint should have no problems. Usually costs more than a respray.

Cause you're not at fault and someone else is paying I would go with the new bumper and paint since there is less chance of problems down the road.

[g6civcx]

Well someone else is paying for it since they hit my car. I would love to respray the car myself, but I dont have the equipment or experience, and time is the real problem. Im a full time college student with a job and I dont have a garage. Also this is my daily driver. If it was feasible, I would do it all myself and learn as I go just like all my other car projects.

Listen to me. I used to be an insurance adjuster.

Get the highest estimate you can possibly get in writing and make 2 copies. That includes new OEM bumper with colour-matching and blending. There is no excuse for not giving you new replacement parts.

Keep your estimate but don't show it to any one.

Wait until you get an estimate from the other person. If they asked if you got an estimate, say no.

See what they offer you, but do not take the check from them yet. If they offer more, then take the check. If they offer less, call them back the next day and ask for the highest estimate and give them a copy. Keep the original.

If they refuse to pay, time to call an attorney. If they pay, cash the check, come back here and we'll talk more.

[S14DB]

JDM kouki bumper time!

[g6civcx]

I hate how OEM bumpers always spiderweb.

[emersonLP]

The other individual is not getting estimates. Heres how it went down: he is my neighbor and he backed into my car in our apartment complex while I was going over a speedbump. We went to the office where a local sheriff was hanging out (he lives in our complex) and he asked whether we wanted to file with insurance or pay out of pocket. I said that if he wants to pay out of pocket, I dont mind. I would get 3 or more estimates and let him know what I wanted to do. The sheriff took down all our information but did not file a report. I guess if he does not like the price(s) I give him I can go to the sheriff and ask him to file it so we can go through the insurance. Does the insurance company require a police report?

[g6civcx]

The other individual is not getting estimates. Heres how it went down: he is my neighbor and he backed into my car in our apartment complex while I was going over a speedbump. We went to the office where a local sheriff was hanging out (he lives in our complex) and he asked whether we wanted to file with insurance or pay out of pocket. I said that if he wants to pay out of pocket, I dont mind. I would get 3 or more estimates and let him know what I wanted to do. The sheriff took down all our information but did not file a report. I guess if he does not like the price(s) I give him I can go to the sheriff and ask him to file it so we can go through the insurance. Does the insurance company require a police report?

I can tell you right now from experience this is not a good idea. Always file a police report, and always file with your insurance company. Do it quickly before things turn nasty.

It's his choice if he wants to pay out of pocket or through his insurance, but you are entitled to full repairs if it's his fault. You need to report it to your insurance company in case he refuses to pay so your insurance can get things moving.

I cannot tell you how many times people say they will pay out of pocket, but when you stick them with the bill, they realize how much expensive the bill is compared to the insurance premium hike, and they pretend they don't know you.

Take it from me. I've personally been involved in many accidents, none of them my fault. It's what you get for driving in the city.

[infinitexsound]

520 is fine....... u dont even need to take off the bumper to paint it.........

[emersonLP]

Thanks for the advice g6civcx. The accident just happened on friday. I will give the guy a call tomorrow to see if he still wants to pay out of pocket, then call my insurance company.

[Bubba]

If you know someone with a spray gun that bumper can be removed and resprayed in a evening tops. I painted my first car with just a couple hours instruction on prep and 2 practice hoods. Time is money and sometimes if you spend a couple hundred dollars you can learn how to make a couple thousand. The price I payed for my compressor, gun, water seperator, and paint was still over $1000.00 less than the price I was quoted by 3 shops to paint it and learn nothing. Good luck on your bumper man. :bigok: