scratch on bumer

[majik]

My wife has a '07 Camry. Over the weekend I was driving it and managed to get a scratch on the bumper by hitting a sheet metal road sign (the sign was very low...I was pulling out of a parking spot that was on a steep decline, I couldn't see it at all). The entire way home she kept pointing at other '07 Camry's on the road saying "Oh look another Camry....but without a scratch."




Sorry about the poor quality. I took it in the early hours of the morning using my cell phone. the pic w/ the key fob was just for reference to get an idea of how big the scratch is. The key fob is about 1-2" from the bumper

What's the best way to get this fixed?

[thapranksta]

Judging by the thread title, it sounds like you need some Neosporin for your ass.

But after reading your thread, I would say just take it to a body shop. They will probably charge a couple hundred. I would not chance messing it up more with some diy product. If it was an old car, maybe but I would take that 07 to a body shop. It sucks but if you want it fixed right.

Edit: BTW, if you wife keeps being annoying like that just yell at her a little bit and tell her you are not a 2 year old. She should get the point and eventually shut up.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by majik

My wife has a '07 Camry. Over the weekend I was driving it and managed to get a scratch on the bumper by hitting a sheet metal road sign (the sign was very low...I was pulling out of a parking spot that was on a steep decline, I couldn't see it at all). The entire way home she kept pointing at other '07 Camry's on the road saying "Oh look another Camry....but without a scratch."




Sorry about the poor quality. I took it in the early hours of the morning using my cell phone. the pic w/ the key fob was just for reference to get an idea of how big the scratch is. The key fob is about 1-2" from the bumper

What's the best way to get this fixed?

You can try one of those touch up kits like Langka.
But you'll probably have to get it done professionally.
My wife backed into a large rock.
No bumper damage,just a large scratch.
My buddy's bodyshop did the repair for $225.
Would have been $390 retail.
He had to fix and smooth the area,paint the area and clear the whole bumper.

Good luck.

[majik]

Originally Posted by thapranksta

Judging by the thread title, it sounds like you need some Neosporin for your ass.

ha

Edit: BTW, if you wife keeps being annoying like that just yell at her a little bit and tell her you are not a 2 year old. She should get the point and eventually shut up.

Ugh! Well this is her first brand new (as in out of the dealership) car so she over-reacts about everything whenever I'm driving it......."speed up, the car behind us is gonna hit my car" (car is 5 car lengths away)........"just wait for the green arrow" (waiting on a solid green to turn w/ nobody coming in the opposite direction)....among various grunts and teeth grinding for pretty much anything and everything. My response would always be..."relax! I've been driving longer than you have".....and now with this scratch, I won't hear the end of it.

Originally Posted by Joe B

...But you'll probably have to get it done professionally....
my buddy's bodyshop did the repair for $225.
Would have been $390 retail.
Good luck.

Thanks, going by both of your comments I'll probably just take it in to a shop and have it done professionally. Hopefully it won't be too costly. I was estimating it would be around $400-500.

[thapranksta]

Originally Posted by majik

Ugh! Well this is her first brand new (as in out of the dealership) car so she over-reacts about everything whenever I'm driving it......."speed up, the car behind us is gonna hit my car" (car is 5 car lengths away)........"just wait for the green arrow" (waiting on a solid green to turn w/ nobody coming in the opposite direction)....among various grunts and teeth grinding for pretty much anything and everything. My response would always be..."relax! I've been driving longer than you have".....and now with this scratch, I won't hear the end of it.



Thanks, going by both of your comments I'll probably just take it in to a shop and have it done professionally. Hopefully it won't be too costly. I was estimating it would be around $400-500.

Yeah, it should be below your estimate. It just looks like a scratch and not a dent which would probably be more money. I guess when you say that it's your wife's first new car, it makes sense that she is over-reacting. I probably would overreact too.

Good luck man.

[Camread]

tell her who's paying for the car. for $500, you can buy a new front and rear bumper.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by majik

My wife has a '07 Camry. Over the weekend I was driving it and managed to get a scratch on the bumper by hitting a sheet metal road sign (the sign was very low...I was pulling out of a parking spot that was on a steep decline, I couldn't see it at all). The entire way home she kept pointing at other '07 Camry's on the road saying "Oh look another Camry....but without a scratch."




Sorry about the poor quality. I took it in the early hours of the morning using my cell phone. the pic w/ the key fob was just for reference to get an idea of how big the scratch is. The key fob is about 1-2" from the bumper

What's the best way to get this fixed?

I went to google and type Bumper Repair +California
I got this link http://www.bumperguy.com/
Shop around for the best value.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by Camread

tell her who's paying for the car. for $500, you can buy a new front and rear bumper.

Still have to paint the nbumper cover with a basecoat and clearcoat.

[njerald]

and the painting is as much or more than the bumper cost......

[azntuner8]

Originally Posted by Camread

tell her who's paying for the car. for $500, you can buy a new front and rear bumper.

where can you buy a front and rear bumper for $500.00?

[thapranksta]

Originally Posted by njerald

and the painting is as much or more than the bumper cost......

exactly. That is why auto body repair is so damn high.

[njerald]

Originally Posted by azntuner8

where can you buy a front and rear bumper for $500.00?

Like at a Toyota dealer!!!!!!

Rear Bumper is $167.44 + shipping - list is $242.29

Front Bumper is $165.90 + shipping - list is $239.96

Lower SE pieces are extra.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&siteid=213824

[wolfpack0n3]

you dont have to get a new bumper or anything. go to your dealer and they can sell you a touch up paint for about 12 bucks. OR go to a paint shop and ask for your paint code and they will mix you some paint. i believe your car is a titanium metallic so ask for a paint code of 1D4

If its a touch up paint it should come w/ a brush. If it doesnt find a small brush and dab gently in THIN layers in the area of the damage. (caution: if you but it on too thick the metallic colors could turn out DARKER than the actual paint)

Just by doing this will cover the damage; however, to make it perfectly new, go to autozone or any car parts store and get a 500-1000 grit sandpaper. Sand it in the area of the damage until it is smooth. It is OKAY to remove a little bit of clear coat around the actual damage.

Next, get clearcoat from autozone or another car parts store and spray it smoothly around and on the repainted area. Let it dry overnight.

Finally re-wax the area and should be in good condition

[njerald]

Using a regular touch up paint for a small area is fine but any larger area should have a plasticizer (flex agent) in the color coat for bumper covers and flexible cladding.

[IPDaily]

it works well in theory, but honestly if you wanna fix it completely, the only thing you can do is respray the bumper... any kind of touch up job is just gonna end up making it more noticable (ie the color will be off, it will be rough, it'll be elevated)... the current paint has to be stripped, then the bumper has to be primed and painted... go to a local body shop... it shouldn't be more than $200 or $300, so if it is, get another estimate....