Someone backed into my bumper yesterday. It looks to me like he does this often because the rear bumper of his Odyssey had yellow marks from poles in two different places, paint chipped off in two more places and black paint from backing into some obviously black car.

The guy said he would pay for the repair and he'd prefer to deal directly with me instead of going through his insurance.

I know it's not a big accident. But would it be okay to go with a bumper repair company or should I insist on a bodyshop fixing this and perhaps replace the bumper?

The bumper repair company quoted me around $275 to:

1. Heat the polyurathane bumper and correct any dents
2. Fill the bumper with some type of bumper putty if necessary
3. Apply primer
4. Repaint the spot with the exact color match
5. Apply clearcoat
6. Possibly buff out the other 2 scratches

5 years ago someone else backed into my bumper and I had to get the entire bumper replaced (almost $1000)

If I do go with the bumper repair company is there anything I should watch out for/insist upon?

I'm kind of leaning towards the bumper repair as it's quicker and cheaper than replaceing the bumper. And I don't want to stick it to this guy anymore than I have to.

Any thoughts?

 

Ugh, I checked the settings with picasa and flickr. Neither works?

 

Here's the link to the photo. I guess I'm not allowed to post attachments.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30746229@N03/5834397929/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/30746229@N03/5834397929/

 

thats a cake job, it can be done within 2 days, no need for a new bumper

 

Decent estimate, definitely don't need a new bumper cover.. get it fixed.

 

The problem is with flickr and not attachments, however you have the right idea on how to post them!

The bumper will probably be refinished and repainted which is better than replacing it!

 

I'm going to end up just repainting the existing bumper. I'll take it in this friday and get it back on Monday.

 

Sounds like a plan! Make sure they take the bumper off the car and paint the bumper all the way around. As well ask them to mask the VIN sticker on the right edge of the bumper (where the trunk lid closes) so it's harder to know that it's been repainted to a dealer or another person.

Check the paint job after you get it and make sure its good and matches! FYI, new paint needs about 30 days to cure all the way. In the first few days new paint can be VERY soft and you can leave marks by simply pressing your fingers into the paint. Do not wax your car or use any chemicals on it for the first 30 days. If you need to wash it, use water on a gentle spray or straight out of the hose.