Rear Bumper Scratch - Help!!!

[PutPut113]

I was backing up and hit a patch of ice this morning, grazed up on a concrete wall, and scratched my rear bumper.

can anyone out there recommend a fix for these.... i already have touch up paint handy, just dont know what else i need to do to fix these up.

sanding???

any bodywork gurus, please help

[Junkman2008]

There's no way to tell by looking at the pictures. Wet sanding can be used to repair damage like that but it totally depends on how deep the scratches are. If your fingernail catches, then it is past wet sanding because there is not enough clear coat on a factory paint job to do so. Aftermarket paint jobs are a different story for the most part.

If anything, it can be buffed on so that it looks a lot less noticeable. I have thread after thread here, and at Adam's Forums that show a bunch of wet sanding jobs that I have done. This IS NOT something that you will be able to do so get that idea out of your head (unless you are trying to make that scratch look worse). You can either buff it out of have it professionally repaired.

Whatever you do, DO NOT use touch up paint to fix this. It will look like amateur night at the Apollo and fixing it will get a lot more expensive. Get it fixed professionally or settle with making it a lot less noticeable by buffing it out.

[PutPut113]

thanks for getting back to me so quick...

does anyone have an idea of what it would typically cost to get this taken care of professionally?? do i dare go to the dealer and have them rip me off?

any ballpark $$ numbers?

thanks!

[Adam's Polishes]

I had a similar repair done to my wifes SUV recently after she was rear ended at a light. Cost around $550 for the shop to pull the bumper cover, fill, sand, paint and reinstall. The damage was fairly close to what you have there. Scuffing for the mostpart, but a few spots were deeper. They gave us the option to have the bumper replaced, but really I didn't see the need even if it was on the insurance companies dime.

Looking at your pics it seems that you may be too deep for a simple sanding to fix it. I can see plastic showing thru in some of those spots. Remember, you can't sand or polish what isn't there to begin with. No paint = nothing to repair.

Choosing the right shop would be up to you, but I'd do some research. As with most things: Cheap bodywork ain't good and good bodywork ain't cheap! Look for a certified shop, with good consumer feedback, a BBB rating, etc. Especially with red... it can be a real pain to colormatch red paint and you want to make sure to choose a shop that stands behind their work should you not be happy with it the first time around.

[wrbear]

I had a repair done to my rear bumper. 500.

[SummoneR]

Same here, I had similar repair on a previous vehicle it cost $500 as well.

[daveagogo1]

No way your going to fix that yourself and make it look good. Take it to a shop and fork over the $500

[PutPut113]

just wanted to thank everyone here....i brought it to a bodyshop last week. estimated the bumper at $450...we'll see what it actually costs when i pick it up sometime this week.

[DangerZL1]

I'd hold them to the $450 maximum price, especially if you're not claiming on your insurance and paying cash.

[Unknown SSRS]

wow??? 500$??i've had damages like that before and it was nowhere near 500$ to fix...and this was before i leanred how to used body filler and sanding/preping...most it ever cost me to fix a damage like that was 300$.... and it was ffrom a very repuatble shop.... i know they didnt skimp out cause i was there 80% of the time....took off the bumper sanded primed and everything... guess its deifference everywhere..

[scythezo6]

$350-500 is what I'm guessing.. From the looks of it you have to get body work - paint has been removed. Its easy to tell from the pics and I bet it is worse in person. Just go get some estimates.

[PutPut113]

Originally Posted by scythezo6

$350-500 is what I'm guessing.. From the looks of it you have to get body work - paint has been removed. Its easy to tell from the pics and I bet it is worse in person. Just go get some estimates.

i actually just got it back from the body shop today...looks brand new.

cost $400 to get it done. little pinch to swallow for not that much damage, but now that its all fixed - im happy

thanks for your help and thoughts everyone!!!!!!!

[ghazzi1397]

Glad to hear, my car was hit yesterday in a similar way and im debating what to do but if its up to 500 ill fork it and fix it.

[SummoneR]

LOL I was hit again too... I was in the drive through at starbucks and the lady behind me was digging through her purse for her money and did not realize she was rolling forward and bumped right into the back of my freshly painted rear bumper...