Hello Group,

First snow of the year, and someone rear ends my 05 4runner. Upon
quick inspection, it appears to only have scratched the paint on the
rear plasitc bumper cover. I'll be in the body shop soon, but if I'm
given the choice to spray the area, repaint the whole bumper, or
replace with new and painted, what one would seem to be the best
option, money asside? I know that the bumpers don't come from the
factory painted, so the shop would be performing this part. I like
the flexibility of the factory paint and I'm a little worried that
after market paint would crack more easily.

Thanks,
Ted

Ted wrote:
> Hello Group,
>
> First snow of the year, and someone rear ends my 05 4runner. Upon
> quick inspection, it appears to only have scratched the paint on the
> rear plasitc bumper cover. I'll be in the body shop soon, but if I'm
> given the choice to spray the area, repaint the whole bumper, or
> replace with new and painted, what one would seem to be the best
> option, money asside? I know that the bumpers don't come from the
> factory painted, so the shop would be performing this part. I like
> the flexibility of the factory paint and I'm a little worried that
> after market paint would crack more easily.
>
> Thanks,
> Ted
If done right and there is no plastic damage, an entire repaint will be
best and last for a long time. If there is any damage to the plastic
surface, buy new and have it sprayed.

On Dec 5, 4:25 pm, "Ph@Boy" <u...@example.net> wrote:
> Ted wrote:
> > Hello Group,
>
> > First snow of the year, and someone rear ends my 05 4runner. Upon
> > quick inspection, it appears to only have scratched the paint on the
> > rear plasitc bumper cover. I'll be in the body shop soon, but if I'm
> > given the choice to spray the area, repaint the whole bumper, or
> > replace with new and painted, what one would seem to be the best
> > option, money asside? I know that the bumpers don't come from the
> > factory painted, so the shop would be performing this part. I like
> > the flexibility of the factory paint and I'm a little worried that
> > after market paint would crack more easily.
>
> > Thanks,
> > Ted
>
> If done right and there is no plastic damage, an entire repaint will be
> best and last for a long time. If there is any damage to the plastic
> surface, buy new and have it sprayed.

AFAIK, shops dont normally do target spot painting. They would spray
the large area to blend the color well.

Ph@Boy wrote:

> If there is any damage to the plastic surface, buy new and have it
> sprayed.
========

Is it impossible to remove dents from plastic bumpers like dents
can be removed from metal?

I have a small, minor dent on the rear plastic bumper--not very
noticeable. Got it this summer.

The Dents Unlimited owner told me he could remove the dent completely,
but a Maaco employee said the only fix is replacing the plastic bumper.

Built_Well wrote:
> Ph@Boy wrote:
>
> > If there is any damage to the plastic surface, buy new and have it
>> sprayed.
> ========
>
> Is it impossible to remove dents from plastic bumpers like dents
> can be removed from metal?
>
> I have a small, minor dent on the rear plastic bumper--not very
> noticeable. Got it this summer.
>
> The Dents Unlimited owner told me he could remove the dent completely,
> but a Maaco employee said the only fix is replacing the plastic bumper.
>
>
I've seen the dent doctors do some amazing repairs. It's usually a lot
cheaper than replacement or conventional repair on metal and they make
the rounds to the shops on a regular schedule or by a call. Give them a
try, but ask for their work guarantee. Each one is usually an
independent and has different policies.

"Built_Well"
<built_well_toyota@hotmail.com> wrote in
message
news:47577232$0$35885$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.oct anews.com...
> Ph@Boy wrote:
>
> > If there is any damage to the
> > plastic surface, buy new and have it
>> sprayed.
> ========
>
> Is it impossible to remove dents from
> plastic bumpers like dents
> can be removed from metal?
>
> I have a small, minor dent on the rear
> plastic bumper--not very noticeable.
> Got it this summer.
>
> The Dents Unlimited owner told me he
> could remove the dent completely,
> but a Maaco employee said the only fix
> is replacing the plastic bumper.
>
>


Shoot I rear ended someone in my Supra
and bent the whole nose part in front
up and over the hood when my bumper
missed because it was to low.

I replaced the metal support pieces
behind it and used a hot air gun on the
plastic
because the correct temperature will let
the material returns to its original
shape.

That thing even had creases in it and it
came out perfect. The original paint
even
was/is fine and it's been about 10 years
now.

Dan

"Ted" <waterskier_erie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4626bd6c-a726-4f7c-888a-5248bbbb7c16@s12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> Hello Group,
>
> First snow of the year, and someone rear ends my 05 4runner. Upon
> quick inspection, it appears to only have scratched the paint on the
> rear plasitc bumper cover. I'll be in the body shop soon, but if I'm
> given the choice to spray the area, repaint the whole bumper, or
> replace with new and painted, what one would seem to be the best
> option, money asside? I know that the bumpers don't come from the
> factory painted, so the shop would be performing this part. I like
> the flexibility of the factory paint and I'm a little worried that
> after market paint would crack more easily.
>
> Thanks,
> Ted

If I rear-ended someone and they tried to get a brand-new bumper out of it,
rest assured, I'd counter sue them into the next century.

"Ted" <waterskier_erie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4626bd6c-a726-4f7c-888a-5248bbbb7c16@s12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> Hello Group,
>
> First snow of the year, and someone rear ends my 05 4runner. Upon
> quick inspection, it appears to only have scratched the paint on the
> rear plasitc bumper cover. I'll be in the body shop soon, but if I'm
> given the choice to spray the area, repaint the whole bumper, or
> replace with new and painted, what one would seem to be the best
> option, money asside? I know that the bumpers don't come from the
> factory painted, so the shop would be performing this part. I like
> the flexibility of the factory paint and I'm a little worried that
> after market paint would crack more easily.
>
> Thanks,
> Ted

I would have the bumper cover removed and re-painted if the cover material
is not scratched or deformed. A competent body shop will add flex agent to
the paint so it will not crack so easily, although it will probably be more
likely to crack than the factory paint.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Built_Well" <built_well_toyota@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:47577232$0$35885$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.oct anews.com...
> Ph@Boy wrote:
>
> > If there is any damage to the plastic surface, buy new and have it
>> sprayed.
> ========
>
> Is it impossible to remove dents from plastic bumpers like dents
> can be removed from metal?
>
> I have a small, minor dent on the rear plastic bumper--not very
> noticeable. Got it this summer.
>
> The Dents Unlimited owner told me he could remove the dent completely,
> but a Maaco employee said the only fix is replacing the plastic bumper.
>

Maaco has a reputation for cheap, quality paint jobs, and when it comes to
body work, you generally get what you pay for. I would give Dents Unlimited
a shot and avoid Maaco if at all possible.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)