1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Ooops! Damaged Rear Driver Wheel Well!

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jangell2, Jul 2, 2015.

  1. jangell2

    jangell2 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2009
    82
    0
    0
    Location:
    Maumelle, AR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    It was not a collision, but a scrape event. There does not seem to be deformation of the area. Areas damaged are the front of the wheel well (including a small part of the passenger door), and the trailing area of the wheel well. Paint is scraped off. Just cleaning this is not going to restore this to "new" condition which is what "she who must be obeyed" wants.

    Is this area of the car some short of plastic or is it metal?

    Any idea what the dealer is going to charge for this? Do I have any other good options? An independent body shop perhaps? I live in the Little Rock area, just in case someone has a recommendation.
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,525
    8,428
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    go get a few estimates at body shops, they are free
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,156
    50,059
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i think it's metal. i had a similar issue when i scraped my pick up truck while backing around it. cost me about $150. but i let them blend it, not paint the whole thing. i can't tell unless i look really carefully.
     
  4. jangell2

    jangell2 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2009
    82
    0
    0
    Location:
    Maumelle, AR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    To show my level of expertise, what does "blend" mean?
     
  5. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2013
    1,740
    446
    4
    Location:
    New Mexico, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    Behind the wheel is part of the vinyl bumper wrap. Can be painted but they'll want to do the whole thing. Front and above the wheel is metal.
    A lot depends on the paint you have, the pearl and metallic colors are a bitch to match and blend and most shops won't even try. If its not an insurance job they might be more willing to work with you on cutting corners. Just remember this type job takes a lot of time.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,686
    39,235
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    They spray the damage area, dilute the remaining paint 50% with clear, spray a little further, repeat two or three more times.

    It's quite effective. The curved body panels change the color tone normally, and the "fade out" paint repair mimics this
     
    jangell2 and bisco like this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,156
    50,059
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base

    mine is clearwater blue (light). they paint the damaged are and slowly paint over the good area and taper the spray as they move the gun, so there's no definitive stop line. generally, they like to paint an entire panel, and even then, they'll sometimes tell you they need to paint the entire side or something to get it to match.


    better explanation, thanks!
     
  8. jangell2

    jangell2 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2009
    82
    0
    0
    Location:
    Maumelle, AR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks guys. I'll get an estimate from the dealer and a body shop this week. Found a dealer on Angie's list that's getting good customer reviews.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,156
    50,059
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    wow, that's an anomaly.
     
    Air_Boss likes this.