2007 LE Bumper Skin Question

[Rasch]

Hi Guys,
I have several scratches on the rear bumper skin of my 2007 LE. This weekend I smacked a huge planter and put a monster scratch and a tear near the bottom. I am thinking of replacing it and from what I have read here, I should probably go with OEM. Does the OEM skins come already colored or will I have to have it painted to match? How hard do you think it will be to install it myself or should I have the dealer do it?

Thanks for all your help!!
RASCH

[njerald]

The bumper cover does not come painted.

Your dealer will probably charge $200+ to paint.

[Stevemr2t]

Originally Posted by Rasch

Hi Guys,
I have several scratches on the rear bumper skin of my 2007 LE. This weekend I smacked a huge planter and put a monster scratch and a tear near the bottom. I am thinking of replacing it and from what I have read here, I should probably go with OEM. Does the OEM skins come already colored or will I have to have it painted to match? How hard do you think it will be to install it myself or should I have the dealer do it?

Thanks for all your help!!
RASCH

The paintshop might need your car to blend in the fenders when they paint your new bumper cover. That somewhat eliminates the possibility of doing it yourself. I think the blending might depend a bit on what color your car is though....

[njerald]

They match the bumper cover to the car, not blend the car to the bumper cover...unless you use MAACO.

There is a TSB for properly preparing/painting bumper covers.

New TSB for Bumper Cover Painting

[geoff5093]

If they just paint the bumper cover then it's very easy to tell the difference when looking at the car. The proper way (at least with other body panels) is to blend the paint, so they would paint part of the hood, fenders, etc as well.

I know when I had my door replaced and painted they blended the paint in with the other door, rear quarter panel, and the area above the window.

[DrewsCam]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

If they just paint the bumper cover then it's very easy to tell the difference when looking at the car. The proper way (at least with other body panels) is to blend the paint, so they would paint part of the hood, fenders, etc as well.

I know when I had my door replaced and painted they blended the paint in with the other door, rear quarter panel, and the area above the window.

exactly, blending is done so you dont notice a brand new part from a pre existing.
Anyways you can pick up a new one off ebay sometime painted for much less then the dealer

[Rasch]

Originally Posted by njerald

The bumper cover does not come painted.

Your dealer will probably charge $200+ to paint.

Would it be better to buy the bumper unpainted at the dealer and go to a reputable body shop to have the painting and installation done?

Thanks,
RASCH

[njerald]

Originally Posted by Rasch

Would it be better to buy the bumper unpainted at the dealer and go to a reputable body shop to have the painting and installation done?

Thanks,
RASCH

Removal and reinstallation can be done in less than an hour.

If you can find an undamaged one that is painted on EBAY, it might be your best deal. I've never seen a new GE

Somebody rear ended me and the dealer body shop had to repaint the bumper twice before I would accept it. It cost the other drivers insurance company just under $600 for new cover, prep/painting and installation.

They did not blend paint my trunk or rear fenders...

The metallic paints are tougher to match than a solid color.

This listing is way to many $$$$$$$$$: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...spagenameZWD1V

Here's an OEM one but your local dealer may be cheaper depending on shipping:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...08&catalogid=2




It's your call.