2008 Accident - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

nov0798 · 03-08-2010, 07:24 PM

OK, so my 08 Highlander was in an accident. When they replaced the rear bumper cover, the new cover, where the black "scuff" area is molded into the bumper, and looks like trash. My old bumper had more of a "pad" on the rear bumper. I was told that Toyota superceeded the old cover to the new cover and this was "just the way it was". Does anyone know about this change, and can someone please take a pic of their current bumper near the scuff plate.

Also, the repair shop states they used the pearl white paint on the bumper, but it looks flat. Can anyone confirm that the bumper cover is also painted with the pearl paint. You really cant tell from a distance, but up close it looks like hell. They are going to repaint the bumper cover.

Thanks

***summerwind*** · 03-09-2010, 06:31 AM

Sounds like they might have skipped the clear coat.
The back bumper should be finished the same as the front one.

The paint also needs a flex additive to keep it from cracking.

If it came pre-painted from Toyota I guess it would have been done correctly.

If it was painted locally and the back now looks different than the front I would question the ability of the body shop that was used to do it right.

***RedLdr1*** · 03-09-2010, 06:54 AM

Here are a few shots of the rear of my Blizzard Pearl Highlander. My Highlander is a bit dirty and these were taken with a cell phone but even then you can see the bumper paint matches the metal body. I also included a shot of the Toyota rear bumper protector pad. That is an add-on, not molded in to the bumper on mine....

Full Rear:

Left Rear Corner:

Right Rear Corner:

Toyota Scuff Pad:

Hope this helped...

***summerwind*** · 03-09-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLdr1

Wayne, Where did you get that neat step that plugs into the hitch?

nov0798 · 03-09-2010, 09:25 AM

Thanks for the pics. Do you know what the part number is for the add on piece for the scuff plate?

Also Summerwind, you state that you can order the bumper pre-painted? Would you happen to have a part number for that?

Thanks
Brian

***summerwind*** · 03-09-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nov0798

Thanks for the pics. Do you know what the part number is for the add on piece for the scuff plate?

Also Summerwind, you state that you can order the bumper pre-painted? Would you happen to have a part number for that?

Thanks
Brian

No I stated "If" it came pre-painted. I have no idea if you can order a Toyota bumper pre-painted. Your parts department can tell you.

***RedLdr1*** · 03-09-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summerwind

Wayne, Where did you get that neat step that plugs into the hitch?

E-Bay....

Here is a listing for one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Receiver-Hitch-Step-12in-Wide-Titanium_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem48399dc408QQit emZ310204285960QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5 fAccessories

See here for how one saved my "tail" once before: Hitch Step Saved My Tail

Smittybilt has been making off the road bumpers and bars for Jeeps for a long time and makes a quality product....

Brian,

I think this is the Part Number: 00016-48005

That came from this E-Bay listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HIGHLANDER-REAR-BUMPER-PROTECTOR-2008-2010_W0QQitemZ320406758618QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotor s_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4a99bb24da

That is actually a better design than mine as it goes over the lip of the bumper. Mine is just on top...

luck123 · 03-10-2010, 01:16 PM

I think I see a slight difference, but hard to tell with low quality photos. I know that any pearl paint is a real PITA to match. Depends on colour, age (fade) etc. For this reason, I chose to buff out a scratch (someone keyed my rear passenger door) on my last vehicle, which was a red metallic pearl, rather than have it painted. Suggest taking it to another paint shop and getting a 2nd opinion if possible.

nov0798 · 03-14-2010, 12:38 AM

OK, I have another question concerning the rear bumper cover. Does anyone know if there is a Toyota part number stamped into the bumper cover somewhere, and if so, do you know where it is?

Thanks
Brian

h20buzz · 03-14-2010, 06:16 PM

Most times there are part numbers stamped into the bumper covers, but not always. You would have to remove the cover and look closely for it, it won't be immediately noticeable and will be close to the plastic identifier ( most all OEM parts do this for proper repair identification. Common types are "PP" Polypropylene, and "TPO" Thermoplastic Olefin, among others.)
Are you certain your vehicle was repaired with OEM parts and not aftermarket? Did you read your estimate? Was the bumper cover itemized as a "competitive part", "alternate part" or otherwise?
All Toyota bumper covers come through raw plastic. Period. None are available from Toyota already painted. I repair/refinish countless Toyota vehicles week in week out. All Toyota supplied OEM bumper covers require proper cleaning, scuffing, recleaning, adhesion promoter, catalyzed/flexibilized sealer, catalyzed basecoat, and catalyzed/flexibilized urethane clearcoat.
I just replaced a rear cover on an 08 last week and it was the proper "molded in" step pad cover right from Toyota. Is there a possibility that it has been superceded to a different style? Sure. I can't say without checking into it, but i do have a jaundiced eye about this.
As for paint match for your Blizzard pearl, Dupont has a formula specifically for the 08 Highlander. It matches excellent. I did my own with it,no fuss required. Sherwin Williams/Martin Senour also offers an excellent matching formula for it. Matching it should be insanely easy for any reputable shop.
I can't say without seeing it, but sometimes "production" shops use accelerator in the clearcoat to get it to dry quicker. This can lead to "dieback" of the finish, which can be corrected by wet sanding and buffing/polishing, but if it isn't done, the finish will remain dull looking, or almost eggshell in some cases. Lack of airflow during cure will do the same thing sometimes.
As a side note, next time you're in doubt about using a quality shop, go to I-Car.com and look for a certified shop in your area, it's a virtual guarantee of high quality work, their standards and checks/balances make it near impossible for untrained techs or a subpar facility to get their approval. I-Car sets the industry standards for proper collision repair techniques and equipment usage. All vehicle owners should become familiar with it and become better educated regarding repairs so there are less of your unfortunate circumstances occuring.
Good luck with you Highlander.

nov0798 · 03-14-2010, 07:27 PM

The shop came recommended thru USAA. USAA requires the shop to replace with original factory parts if the vehicle is less than 2 years old, in my case it was. The bumper cover may be the same cover, it just looks different to me, especially where the black "step" spiece is molded in. The number they (the shop) has on the invoice from Toyota is 52159-0E906. The number given to me by the dealer is the same, and the number shows up all over the web as the proper number, but the top piece where its black, just looks different for some reason. Thats why I was hoping to possibly know where the part # is stamped on the bumper cover.

As for the paint, the original paint did not show any pearl in it. I made them repaint the bumper. The service advisor was like " you know its hard to see pearl on a plastic piece". I told him he was high, and if they couldnt do it, I will take the car somewhere else to get it done. Its supposed to be done tomorrow, we will see.