first post here A friend scratched my front bumper on the curb while parking and offered to pay to fix it, since the bumper was just repainted a few months ago. It is a minor, but visible rash. So we went to a few reputable body shops to get a quote. - Some said it is only necessary to partially sand and repaint the bumper, but would they put a clear coat over the full bumper. - Some said they would partially paint and partially clear coat the affected area only. - Some said they had to paint and clear coat the entire bumper, otherwise it won't seamlessly look good. I am confused. Any suggestions? I have a black 3rd Gen Prius Four if it matters. Thanks!
If they know what they're doing, and use the correct Prius color code, '- Some said they would partially paint and partially clear coat the affected area only.' should work just fine.
Partial paint, then "blending out", is best for hiding the new paint. They do full colour just at the repair, then dilute with clear, go a little further, repeat 2~3 times more, till they're shooting almost clear. That said, "bumpers" being plastic dreck, and damage prone, just doing nothing for a while would be worth consideration.
Down low on the bumper the paint will be less of a problem with the color match. If it’s on a flat horizontal panel such as the door or 1/4 panel at the belt line the match will be more of a challenge.
Agreed. You may gain a perfect bumper but is that really something you want to do to a friend? Like Mendel Leisk implies, this is going to happen again, given the height of the Prius bumper and parking, so there comes a point where you just try to forget about it. Basically, sh*t happens.
No worrrieS. If I leave a dent on a friend’s bumper, I want them to get top value for repair and or replacement.
