Hello, I will be using my 2012 PIP as a LYFT driver in a few weeks. I have a damaged fender. Should I bring it to a body shop, or should I order one prepainted online? What should I expect to pay at a body shop? Thanks for all your help in advance. Peace, Peter
Not sure if you see that like what I do. Sine its not a MAJOR issue, Mostly it can be fixed by self at least upto 80%. Unbotton the Mud Guard (fiber panel attached to the body around the tire). push from inside where there are dents. Also try if you can reach and pull the dent panel near the paint damage. If required, use some heat gun (worst case a hair drier) before pulling it. If once its in a reasonable shape, try to use touch up paint(I bought mine on eBay for $15). Once the fender is aligned to the mudguard fiber panel curve, button it back. If you have missed few buttons, buy them or use a ziptie. Since its 2012 car, and the damage is mostly cosmetic, I dont stick my $1000+ bill into it to see it shiny every morning.. since those $1000+ dollar bills glitter better in my wallet (just my way of looking at the issue) Not really the same but close to this way is what I am talking about.
Thanks for the info, very good video. He looks like an artist. I feel the same about spending more on car, which is why I have been living with it that way for almost 2 years. We have over 160,000 miles on it, but we are hoping for 300,000. I do the maintenance on our cars and I have even put a Subaru engine in my VW Vanagon, bodywork feels intimidating. I might try to find a specialist.
sounds like a better plan, but i would familiarize myself with the procedure before ordering. you also have damage below the fender. i hear you on putting money in, i have lived with a duct taped rear bumper for 2 years now. i'll get around to it one of these days.
I've dinged up my rear bumper and was looking at this option via eBay...my damage isn't as major so I'm going back and forth, but the product seems to get good reviews...might check with the seller on the availability of the specific piece you need, installation, etc. NEW Painted To Match - Rear Bumper Cover for 2010-2015 Toyota Prius TO1100280
I would never entertain a DIY swap of pre-painted parts like this. Would just hand it over to a professional bodyshop, use my insurance, let the chips lay where they fall. A couple of reasons: 1. This may be more than just the bolt-on fender; there could be more damage behind. 2. If you don't want to be walking up to your car in future, and noticing how that fender colour looks ever so subtly different: get the pros on it. They'll either start with a primed-only replacement fender, or they'll pull out and restore your current fender. Either way, they'll do it right. Then, they'll paint it right: spray the repair area, and then continue to spray onto adjacent area, with increasingly dliuted color, till they're eventually spraying near-clear. This paint blending is critical to getting a seamless paint repair.
