That'll buff right out

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 17, 2016 | 12:27 AM
  #1  
TSX-S2000's Avatar
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 8
From: Tracy, CA
That'll buff right out

I think not!

Over the weekend a car ahead of me and one lane over ran over a mangled piece of metal (I guess the driver wasn't paying attention because I don't know why you wouldn't avoid something in the road) which was thrown in my direction. It happened so fast and, in all honesty, it appeared to float towards me like a piece of paper.

I knew it wasn't paper when I heard the "thunk" hoping it hit very low on the bumper but was also worried it went right into the headlight.

This is what I found as soon as I had a chance to look at it:





Granted that my front bumper already has its fair share of dings, dents, and chips (I commute about 135 miles per day on freeways shared by lots of other cars and big rigs) but this really bothers me.

A new, unpainted front bumper cover is about $260 and I couldn't find anything on eBay.

I'm really bummed. Any other ideas?
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 01:00 AM
  #2  
chardness's Avatar
Instructor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 142
Likes: 15
From: chicago
option 1: no need to buy another bumper, that can be salvaged and repainted.

option 2: if cost is your number 1 concern and you're pretty handy, i've used scratchwizard's spray paint repair kit before and the results decent if you put some time into it. mine costed around $50 last time I bought one.

Last edited by chardness; May 17, 2016 at 01:05 AM. Reason: more options.
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 06:06 AM
  #3  
96SC4's Avatar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 880
Likes: 158
From: New York 845
I don't think you need a new bumper either...
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 06:34 AM
  #4  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291


I would go to multiple body shops and ask for quotes on how much to spot paint? and how much it is to fully repaint.

I guarantee it will be cheaper than buying new and getting painted...
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 07:08 AM
  #5  
FamilyGuy's Avatar
Three Wheelin'
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 603
From: South Florida
Dude that'll buff right out
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 07:18 AM
  #6  
04WDPSeDaN's Avatar
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 2,567
From: NJ
Do the most obvious thing 1st, wash the vehicle.

2nd would be the use some compound and wax on the bumper (including the rest of the car)

You might be surprised if a lot of it comes off. I can see a few black spots which will still be there, but the rest is hard to tell if it's on the surface and can be buffed or it's past the clear.

If none of it comes off, a very good body shop can do prep work and paint it.
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 09:21 AM
  #7  
thoiboi's Avatar
Senior Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,309
Likes: 9,175
From: SoCal, CA
Plastidip will clean that right up..
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 01:50 PM
  #8  
sockr1's Avatar
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,431
Likes: 1,164
From: San Diego
part out.


in all seriousness sorry to see that OP!
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 03:28 PM
  #9  
Oh Sickest TL's Avatar
Jeff
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,728
Likes: 816
From: Port City, New Brunswick Canada
Originally Posted by sockr1
part out.
thats the new saying!

honestly man, that does suck, but your bumper is not in the best condition to begin with so just get the compound to it and see what you can get out of it. I wouldnt be sweating it unless the car was just painted lol

all of those white scrapes should come off
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 04:57 PM
  #10  
CLtotheTL32's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 36,790
Likes: 9,618
From: Charlotte
Sorry to see
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 08:28 PM
  #11  
WDPanda's Avatar
Three Wheelin'
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 212
Originally Posted by FamilyGuy
Dude that'll buff right out
For once this may be true
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 10:59 PM
  #12  
AlbinLee's Avatar
Advanced
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 75
Likes: 19
Take advantage of the opportunity to have your bumper repainted and 3M that beezy.

Seriously though cost-wise any reputable shop should be able to touch that up easy. Also silver is not hard to blend (not like white pearl, at least).
Reply
Old May 18, 2016 | 12:39 AM
  #13  
chardness's Avatar
Instructor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 142
Likes: 15
From: chicago
Reply
Old May 18, 2016 | 01:59 PM
  #14  
EvilVirus's Avatar
Safety Car
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,227
Likes: 1,120
From: Houston
Originally Posted by AlbinLee
Take advantage of the opportunity to have your bumper repainted and 3M that beezy.

Seriously though cost-wise any reputable shop should be able to touch that up easy. Also silver is not hard to blend (not like white pearl, at least).
Actually Silver is the hardest to blend. I agree with you that OP should have it repainted. If only the bumper looks that way and the rest of the body is clean, why not.
Reply
Old May 18, 2016 | 02:28 PM
  #15  
96SC4's Avatar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 880
Likes: 158
From: New York 845
EvilVirus is right
Silver is tough to match!
Reply
Old May 18, 2016 | 02:30 PM
  #16  
Oh Sickest TL's Avatar
Jeff
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,728
Likes: 816
From: Port City, New Brunswick Canada
^x2

Very noticeable if not done correctly
Reply
Old May 19, 2016 | 03:07 AM
  #17  
TSX-S2000's Avatar
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 8
From: Tracy, CA
I'll hit it with some rubbing compound to get the white scrapes out. If that's successful then I probably can live with what's left. This is my daily commuter (almost 269K miles) and I came to the realization when I bought it that it was going to "see a lot".
Reply
Old May 19, 2016 | 09:14 AM
  #18  
EvilVirus's Avatar
Safety Car
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,227
Likes: 1,120
From: Houston
In that case, compound should remove the white scuffs, but if the you need to repair it; buy some fine sandpaper and smooth out the edges and touch it with touchup paint.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:59 PM.