Front Bumper Cover

I suggest you look at what is under the bumper cover and check that there is no additional damage there. The covers are cosmetic. You want the bumpers to function the next time. And are you sure yours can't be repaired?

 

Hmm, now where's that picture of the drilled and zip tied together bumper cover? It's around here somewhere.

 

There yah go:

A bumper with moxie | PriusChat



I noticed the other day, the guy had apparently got it replaced. Either that or a very seamless repair. Kinda of disappointed.

 

Brilliant!

 

Are they dissolving stitches or do they require outpatient surgical removal? Asking for a friend.

 

That could be seamlessly repaired I think. Take the bumper off, pull it back together, fiberglass mesh and 2-part epoxy bonding filler on the back, and fill, sand and paint the front. If the cost is close, I would go that route: better the bumper you know, keeps a big chunk of plastic out of the landfill, and more oil can stay in the ground.

For DIY I've used this stuff:


(Canadian product? But there should be something similar in the 'States.)

 

i used bondo 280 epoxy to fix my fog light tabs from behind the bumper you cut mesh and patch it with the epoxy. make sure you sand the bumper before applying epoxy. the mesh will reinforce and strengthen. fyi, a body shop can mend the bumper using their techniques and use filler and paint to make it look new again. you can also try to locate an auto dismantler to see if they have a matching color bumper. that will take extreme luck though.

 

There are specific bumper cover repair kits available.
With the duct tape applied, the cover seems to align fairly well.

As mentioned in post 3, remove the cover, built up and add support gaze (for lack of a better word) on the inside from the repair kit.
Yet then you have the break/ seem on the outside painted surface.
You can either live with that seem or repair/ smooth yourself and have a body shop paint it or add a decal .
I like your idea.

Personally, I'd be hesitant to buy the after market cover (FWIW in my experience aftermarket never fits well) and would try to repair the OEM cover or replace with OEM.

Good luck in your decision.

 

Had my Prius c rear bumper replaced by a local body shop. OEM from Toyota was about $200 more than aftermarket however Toyota matched the price to get the sale!

 

Has anyone bought bumper covers from Rock Auto ? They say they are OEM parts
Thanks

 

My daughter had a low speed impact with her Honda Element. There was no repairing her bumper cover since some of the lower parts of it were missing. When I pulled the bumper cover off I discovered there was also damage to the energy absorbing system beneath it. (Red Circle). You may want to verify the same thing.

I bought the Honda bumper cover. Since it was a 7 year old car I bought the rattle can plastic bumper paint kit (cleaner, primer, color coat, clear coat) and painted it myself. As you can see, the color didn't quite match but was close enough for her wallet.

 

I agree with Mendel. Please investigate bumper repair companies. Google them. For around $250, they will bond and paint it to look like new! I have used companies like this in the past and they do a great job. Some idiot creamed my wife's rear bumper while it was parked and they repaired it. Couldn't tell it was even damaged.