Hi everyone. I'm seeking advice on how to repair a dent that my TL sustained on the front bumper. Just to satisfy everyone's burning curiosity, yes, I'm the one who put the dent in it. I was pulling up to a curb that was a lot higher than I thought it would be (like a foot higher than the pavement) and I was barely moving when I hit the curb. It sucks and I have no excuse. I really feel terrible that I've already dented my TL and it's only 4 months old.

As for fixing it, now I'm not sure what to do. I took it to the stealership and the service guy said that they would probably have to replace the entire bumper because if they tried to just pop the dent out, it would cause additional paint to flake off and it would never look right. So I went to the stealership's collision center and got a written estimate. He said he would have to replace the entire bumper, paint match it, etc. Here is the written estimate totalling $787.66!



My insurance deductable is $500 for collision, so I don't really want to file a claim against the insurance and risk having my premium go up just to save $287.66. The estimate seems awfully high. Honestly, I don't understand why they can't just pop the dent out? I know it won't look exactly right, but it's almost underneith the bumper in a place where hardly anyone ever looks anyway. I asked them if they could just pop the dent out and put some touch-up paint on the scrapes with the understanding that it would look a lot better but still not perfect, and they seemed unwilling to even try that.

What do you guys think?

 

for that money you can get A-spec kit, and it will cover your dent~ just a thought

Good luck,

 

If you want it done free, take the bumper cover off, lay it on something soft, and carefully stand on the dent to pop it out.

Otherwise, go to a custom paint/body repair shop. Most repair places don't like to repair plastic. I had a shop fix my dent by heating the cover using a heat gun.

 

i wouldnt put a lot of money into it, chances are it will get damaged in the future. unless it really bothers you

 

As an insurance claims professional, I can honestly tell you that that estimate does not look that far off. Filing a claim with your insurance is a bad idea. You hitting a curb is considered a "solo vehicle accident" which effect your insurance more than you rear ending somebody. It's not worth it in the long run.

Ask the shop what it will cost to pop our the dent. It wont look perfect, but it will look better. Or you can call a paitless dent removal service. Most can come to you and gice you a free estimate. I used a guy in here in southern cali. He can to my job and popped out a dent in no time...only cost $80 too.

 

best idea, plus u will get the added look

 

an a-spec front lip spoiler would cover the damage and add a performance look to the front end for about $260.00.

 

If you cannot get one of the paintless dent people to pop it out, then I vote for the a-spec kit from honda acura world 799.00 for the whole thing and it will cover up that damage

 

I have had to replace a front bumper cover about 3 times. If you get it replaced, have them get the part, paint it, and then show up and have them do the swap. That way you save a car rental for a day or two.

The cost is about right. They claim that the rubber will never return to the original shape. If it is not that bad a paint job might be about 250. Have it popped out and repaint since chances are it could happen once again.

 

yeah, either paintless dent removal or a-spec.