Superwhite bumper mismatch again with photo

That is odd. It does look a shade darker than the rest of the car. I take it you bought the car new? I wouldn't think the dealer could sell it to you if it had body work done without telling you, but maybe they did. I would contact the dealership, or the sales person you bought it from and ask them. If you have a chance, take some more pictures, maybe up close and different angles.

 

If I bought a new car like that it'd go straight back to the dealer!
They are called colour coded bumpers for a reason...

 

Not just your Prius, I did see other White cars (Camry, Ford Taurus, even Honda Accord) have such color mismatching phenomenon too. It looks like the White-Color Bumpers will have a shade darker compare to its body over time (due to weathering or sun-baking).

I wonder if it is the 'Flex-Agent' which usually used on plastic bumper to make paint more flexible (not cracking easier) causes the White color to oxidize (yellowing) more quickly.

 

There is also a thing called "IN TRANSIT REPAIR" . If the vehicle received some damage when it was in transit from the ship to the depot it could be repaired. The dealership would not be notified since the car is still owned by Toyota and does not have to be disclosed to the dealer. If the vehicle was repaired at the dealer then they would have to disclose it to the buyer. Color match is usually the give away that a repair was made.

 

Just an F.Y.I. White is the combination of all colors and as a result is one of the most difficult colors to match. In a past life, one of my many hats, was a dye inventory clerk. I calculated the various dye ingredients for colored Plexiglass and molding power orders. We had over 250 formulas for white. 1 for black. The difficulty of matching white is also compounded when trying to match colors on different surfaces/materials, such as bumpers, fenders and hoods, all of which I believe are made of different materials on the Prius. Probably more than you wanted to know.

 

I'd say it's time to go back to the dealer and let them sort it out. I had a similar situation with a GM product back in the 80's when they were using the plastic/rubber pieces around those bumpers that stuck so far out from the car. The dealer must have repainted it four times before they got a match - and it wasn't white.

 

I think you sent me a PM about this once. I after looking at your picture, I can say that my car does not have this issue. Even the rear bumper which was repainted 2 months after I got the car has a good match between the body color and bumper.

 

that would bother me and i would be back at the dealer instantly.
unacceptable for a brand new car. i assume you bought it new.

 

I can still notice the color difference. Did you contact the dealer about it yet?

 

The Super White in the parking lot at the office has bumpers that match the body. IMO your rear bumper does not match and that would bother me. I would talk to the dealer and would expect to have to talk to Toyota about this. I hope you didn't submit the survey. If possible use it for leverage. If the dealer insists the color difference is normal then insist on seeing another. I'm not sure if a dealer is legally obligated to report repairs prior to sale. I believe your bumpers were switched or repainted somewhere between the factory and your acceptance of the car. If your dealer isn't listed on the sticker then add one more suspect to the list.

Good luck.

 

I took your picture and scaned it with Photoshop. There is a distinct differences in color values between the rear bumper and the rear quarter panel right next to it.

Rear panel, R =140 G=148 B=161
Rear bumper, R=129 G=138 B=153.
Difference -11 -10 -9

Lower number means darker color.

My assumption is that the bumpers have been repainted.

The Prius is Japanese built only. It is likely the bumpers are painted in the states. The paint was mixed with the correct dye codes, but the base paint is not the same or as bright as the original base paint used in the factory. This causes the darker shade and the consistence of the color differences.

 

Wow! I just went out to look at mine because its finally cloudy here and low and behold, the bumper is darker than the panel. Even when i get down and look up at it and from the top down, its not just shadow.

 

I don't remember the specifics since it was 2.5 years ago but I do remember completing the survey on line. I think the survey came from Toyota. It would take some time for you to become registered in the database and to get the survey in the mail. Call Toyota about the survey. Stuff on the windshield and a rough painted surface on delivery just don't sound right.

 

this has to do with the flex additive and the skid protectant applied to the plastics on toyota vehicles, dirt seems to be attracted to these areas much more than the rest.

I have a White 06 Tacoma Double Cab, and its very evident when you look at front bumper and the fender flares ( both of which are plastic ) i notice after washing the car it looks a lot better.

 

sas0611,

Here are the additional measurements including the B&W photo.
I notice there a trend that the rear bumpers consistently have a darker shade while the front ones are more uniform.

The color numbers are in the photos.