Non-DIY scratch repair--need advice

VTecVoodoo · 10-30-2006, 08:33 PM

I'm debating how to deal with this unsightly scratch. It's deep enough, I believe touch-up may not be the best solution. For a smaller scratch, I might be willing to invest the effort in a DIY project, but for this, I'm considering having it professionally repaired. However, I've never had this kind of work done before, and I don't know what kind of prices to expect. Here's exhibit A.

This photo shows only the most obvious scratch. Underneath, there are rash marks from a curb accident. I'd considered replacing whe whole front bumper, or better yet, having a Honda HFP front underspoiler installed, thinking it would conveniently cover both the rashes and this visible scratch, but I realized, by looking at the diagram, the underspoiler line is below where the scratch is. (I thought the front underspoiler was bigger, I was wrong) so that's not a solution.

It's too bad, because I was going to use that as a rationale for purchasing an exterior mod I wanted anyway. And maybe get fog lights installed while I'm at it. Kill three birds with two stones.

So now I'm back to confronting the fact that I might have to have the front bumper removed and repainted, regardless of other exterior mods I'm interested in. I need to deal with this first.

Anyone here ever have this kind of work done? And can give me an idea of what kind of parts and labor costs I can expect? What kind of shops are recommended for paint/body repair work? (I'll be in Seattle when I get this done)

I'm not thrilled about paying for it, but if the cost isn't THAT bad, I'd prefer to have it done by a pro.

kero · 10-30-2006, 10:20 PM

To be honest, touch up could work if you do it right and take your time. A professional repair won't be cheap and once the bumper is repainted it will never be the same and most like peal and spider should someone tap it or damage it.

I would honestly do it myself with touch up and leave the rest of the bumper original with orginal factory paint. Just me though.

VTecVoodoo · 10-30-2006, 11:13 PM

"To be honest, touch up could work if you do it right and take your time."

You mean, touch up just the scratch you see in the photo, right? I've considered it. I still don't think I'm going to do it myself. I'd rather pay a shop to do it. (I tried the DIY on my Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, before I sold it, and it looked like an amateur did it)

What about the damage to the rest of the bumper? (not shown in photo) The bottom of it is shredded on one side from a curb accident.

I didn't know bumper repainting is a second-rate deal, where it's permanently vulnerable to peeling or spidering if tapped, and not look as good as new. I'd want a shop that can guarantee good work.

kenchan · 10-31-2006, 12:33 AM

retail on a repair job done right (bumper removed, painted, etc) will
cost you in the $350 range.

if you remove the bumper and take it into a body shop they can fill/sand,
prime, and paint it for you for probably no more than $150.

mort · 10-31-2006, 01:45 AM

For a gash like that I'd say touch up paint is the best option. Unless you want to pay hundreds to get the whole bumper re-painted.

VTecVoodoo · 10-31-2006, 02:07 AM

"For a gash like that I'd say touch up paint is the best option. Unless you want to pay hundreds to get the whole bumper re-painted."

I don't think you read my whole post. It's not just that one gash. That just happens to be one example, viewable in that photo. I don't want to photograph all the damage in order to make my point. That gash represents the most visible damage from a normal camera angle.

Read my original description for full details.

If it were just that one scratch, yes, I'd use touch up paint.

mort · 10-31-2006, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTecVoodoo

This photo shows only the most obvious scratch. Underneath, there are rash marks from a curb accident

What do you mean by underneath? I can't see any other damage other than the scratch. Can you post up some more pics?

VTecVoodoo · 10-31-2006, 02:55 AM

"What do you mean by underneath? I can't see any other damage other than the scratch. Can you post up some more pics?"

Exactly. As I explained. I took one closeup of the most obvious scratch, and used the English language to describe the other damage, assuming readers would trust my description. When it's daylight, I might take and post more snapshots. In the meantime, take my word for it, it's only one of a series of scratches and scrapes.

It started when exploded a tire by crashing straight into a curb (missed a driveway by a few inches) in a bad rainstorm back in March. The curb chewed up the underside of my bumper as well. Since it's underneath and along the side a little, I'm less frequently reminded of it, because I don't normally look at it from that low of an angle.

It's that big deep scratch (unrelated to the curb accident. I think someone intentionally keyed it, frankly. Rough town, L.A.) that bothers me every day. That's the one we see in the photo.

Because it's only one of a series of scrapes, dings, and scratches, I have to consider a remove and repaint option.

Having said that, all options are on the table. I appreciate the input.

I'm not looking to be wasteful with my repair budget, but I'm also not trying to cut corners and be a cheap-ass, either. If it needs to be repainted, or even replaced, so be it. I don't mind. I'd rather it look good than save one or two hundred bucks.

I suppose one option is to do the main visible scratch myself, and it looks good, great, I come out ahead. And leave the underside as is, with the damage still there. If I'm not satisfied with my craftsmanship on the most visible scratch, and it doesn't come out so good, I can still take it to a shop and professionally restored.

It it helpful to have a general idea of costs. When I get back to Seattle, maybe I'll get some estimates, and consider my options.

kenchan · 10-31-2006, 09:35 AM

^^ just to keep in mind... even the touchup service dealers use on
used cars are 99% detectible to a car guy like me. but sure, if you're
only going for a 10 footer, that'll do the trick.

Kakashi · 10-31-2006, 11:08 AM

so just run around till you find someone who will paint it for 350.

good freaking luck matching & blending with that GG.

kenchan · 10-31-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kakashi

so just run around till you find someone who will paint it for 350.good freaking luck matching & blending with that GG.

you don't need to run around and be sarcastic. just find a reputable
shop from your local car buddies who they trust. word of mouth is the
best way to go for bodyshop repairs.

at least it's a bumper, not a door panel or fender.

Michael Bolton · 10-31-2006, 01:00 PM

I got rear ended a few months ago. Basically a Tacoma was behind me at a red light, he was stopped. He dropped something on passenger side floorboard and when he went to reach down to pick it up he released the brake and rolled into me. I had a few gashes and some scratches on my rear bumper. Minor body work and fresh paint they were looking for $403. They were going to remove the bumber fix the gash and respray the whole thing. Just to give you an estimate, i would figure it would be in that area as far as price and the such. This was from a good shop. IMO good work is not cheap and cheap work is not good. Good luck.

Kakashi · 10-31-2006, 01:05 PM

funny, i bought a painted bumper in perfect condition for 250 bucks.

again, GG is not the easiest color to re-paint, neither is ASM

kenchan · 10-31-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kakashi

funny, i bought a painted bumper in perfect condition for 250 bucks.

again, GG is not the easiest color to re-paint, neither is ASM

scarecrow- why don't you give the poor guy a break and let him know
where you got the painted bumper for $250?

Kakashi · 10-31-2006, 01:37 PM

wow, first time anyone actually got the name reference.

but uh, i bought a spare bumper off someone on 8th. Im guessing he threw on a bodykit onto his Sedan, and he didnt need his anymore

$250 shipped(from Canada no less)

VTecVoodoo · 10-31-2006, 02:45 PM

UPDATE: here's more photos, showing more of the damage.

Kakashi · 10-31-2006, 02:52 PM

for $350+...

i'd just get HFP and cover it up..

then touch up the top scratches..

VTecVoodoo · 10-31-2006, 03:02 PM

"for $350+...

i'd just get HFP and cover it up..

then touch up the top scratches.."

That's a strong contender. I want the HFP front underbumper anyway. I'm glad to hear someone else suggest it. If the scratch touch-up is done well, then it's a solution with benefits and the cost is mainly in an add-on item I'm interested in anyway.

The mudflap thing is a little chewed up, perhaps that could be replaced. Otherwise, it's the kind of solution I'm aiming for, an incentive to get the HFP front underbumper. Then perhaps get the rest of the HFP exterior components later on.

Kakashi · 10-31-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTecVoodoo

That's a strong contender. I want the HFP front underbumper anyway. I'm glad to hear someone else suggest it. If the scratch touch-up is done well, then it's a solution with benefits and the added cost is mainly in an add-on item I'm interested in anyway.

follow that DIY paint touchup from the RSX forums, i did it on my mom's RX300,
beautiful.

only important parts are: getting a good brush, and paint that isnt pre-mixed with clearcoat.

then just follow the directions word for word.

mort · 10-31-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kakashi

for $350+...

i'd just get HFP and cover it up..

then touch up the top scratches..

Agreed. It might even be less like $300.

10-30-2006, 08:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
VTecVoodoo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 iTrader: 0 / 0%	UPDATE: Non-DIY scratch repair--need advice I'm debating how to deal with this unsightly scratch. It's deep enough, I believe touch-up may not be the best solution. For a smaller scratch, I might be willing to invest the effort in a DIY project, but for this, I'm considering having it professionally repaired. However, I've never had this kind of work done before, and I don't know what kind of prices to expect. Here's exhibit A. This photo shows only the most obvious scratch. Underneath, there are rash marks from a curb accident. I'd considered replacing whe whole front bumper, or better yet, having a Honda HFP front underspoiler installed, thinking it would conveniently cover both the rashes and this visible scratch, but I realized, by looking at the diagram, the underspoiler line is below where the scratch is. (I thought the front underspoiler was bigger, I was wrong) so that's not a solution. It's too bad, because I was going to use that as a rationale for purchasing an exterior mod I wanted anyway. And maybe get fog lights installed while I'm at it. Kill three birds with two stones. So now I'm back to confronting the fact that I might have to have the front bumper removed and repainted, regardless of other exterior mods I'm interested in. I need to deal with this first. Anyone here ever have this kind of work done? And can give me an idea of what kind of parts and labor costs I can expect? What kind of shops are recommended for paint/body repair work? (I'll be in Seattle when I get this done) I'm not thrilled about paying for it, but if the cost isn't THAT bad, I'd prefer to have it done by a pro. Last edited by VTecVoodoo; 10-31-2006 at 02:53 PM. Reason: (new photos added)

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10-30-2006, 10:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
kero Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: LI, NY Posts: 438 iTrader: 0 / 0%	To be honest, touch up could work if you do it right and take your time. A professional repair won't be cheap and once the bumper is repainted it will never be the same and most like peal and spider should someone tap it or damage it. I would honestly do it myself with touch up and leave the rest of the bumper original with orginal factory paint. Just me though.

10-30-2006, 11:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
VTecVoodoo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 iTrader: 0 / 0%	"To be honest, touch up could work if you do it right and take your time." You mean, touch up just the scratch you see in the photo, right? I've considered it. I still don't think I'm going to do it myself. I'd rather pay a shop to do it. (I tried the DIY on my Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, before I sold it, and it looked like an amateur did it) What about the damage to the rest of the bumper? (not shown in photo) The bottom of it is shredded on one side from a curb accident. I didn't know bumper repainting is a second-rate deal, where it's permanently vulnerable to peeling or spidering if tapped, and not look as good as new. I'd want a shop that can guarantee good work.

10-31-2006, 12:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,548 iTrader: 1 / 100%	retail on a repair job done right (bumper removed, painted, etc) will cost you in the $350 range. if you remove the bumper and take it into a body shop they can fill/sand, prime, and paint it for you for probably no more than $150.

10-31-2006, 01:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
mort Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Age: 29 Posts: 10,754 iTrader: 2 / 100%	For a gash like that I'd say touch up paint is the best option. Unless you want to pay hundreds to get the whole bumper re-painted.

10-31-2006, 02:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
VTecVoodoo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 iTrader: 0 / 0%	"For a gash like that I'd say touch up paint is the best option. Unless you want to pay hundreds to get the whole bumper re-painted." I don't think you read my whole post. It's not just that one gash. That just happens to be one example, viewable in that photo. I don't want to photograph all the damage in order to make my point. That gash represents the most visible damage from a normal camera angle. Read my original description for full details. If it were just that one scratch, yes, I'd use touch up paint.

10-31-2006, 02:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
VTecVoodoo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 iTrader: 0 / 0%	"What do you mean by underneath? I can't see any other damage other than the scratch. Can you post up some more pics?" Exactly. As I explained. I took one closeup of the most obvious scratch, and used the English language to describe the other damage, assuming readers would trust my description. When it's daylight, I might take and post more snapshots. In the meantime, take my word for it, it's only one of a series of scratches and scrapes. It started when exploded a tire by crashing straight into a curb (missed a driveway by a few inches) in a bad rainstorm back in March. The curb chewed up the underside of my bumper as well. Since it's underneath and along the side a little, I'm less frequently reminded of it, because I don't normally look at it from that low of an angle. It's that big deep scratch (unrelated to the curb accident. I think someone intentionally keyed it, frankly. Rough town, L.A.) that bothers me every day. That's the one we see in the photo. Because it's only one of a series of scrapes, dings, and scratches, I have to consider a remove and repaint option. Having said that, all options are on the table. I appreciate the input. I'm not looking to be wasteful with my repair budget, but I'm also not trying to cut corners and be a cheap-ass, either. If it needs to be repainted, or even replaced, so be it. I don't mind. I'd rather it look good than save one or two hundred bucks. I suppose one option is to do the main visible scratch myself, and it looks good, great, I come out ahead. And leave the underside as is, with the damage still there. If I'm not satisfied with my craftsmanship on the most visible scratch, and it doesn't come out so good, I can still take it to a shop and professionally restored. It it helpful to have a general idea of costs. When I get back to Seattle, maybe I'll get some estimates, and consider my options.

10-31-2006, 09:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,548 iTrader: 1 / 100%	^^ just to keep in mind... even the touchup service dealers use on used cars are 99% detectible to a car guy like me. but sure, if you're only going for a 10 footer, that'll do the trick.

10-31-2006, 11:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
Kakashi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aurora CO Age: 22 Posts: 3,707 iTrader: 1 / 100%	so just run around till you find someone who will paint it for 350. good freaking luck matching & blending with that GG.

10-31-2006, 01:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Michael Bolton Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Places You've Come to Fear The Most. NY Age: 28 Posts: 437 i <3 www.honda-tech.com iTrader: 2 / 100%	I got rear ended a few months ago. Basically a Tacoma was behind me at a red light, he was stopped. He dropped something on passenger side floorboard and when he went to reach down to pick it up he released the brake and rolled into me. I had a few gashes and some scratches on my rear bumper. Minor body work and fresh paint they were looking for $403. They were going to remove the bumber fix the gash and respray the whole thing. Just to give you an estimate, i would figure it would be in that area as far as price and the such. This was from a good shop. IMO good work is not cheap and cheap work is not good. Good luck.

10-31-2006, 01:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
Kakashi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aurora CO Age: 22 Posts: 3,707 iTrader: 1 / 100%	funny, i bought a painted bumper in perfect condition for 250 bucks. again, GG is not the easiest color to re-paint, neither is ASM

10-31-2006, 01:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Kakashi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aurora CO Age: 22 Posts: 3,707 iTrader: 1 / 100%	wow, first time anyone actually got the name reference. but uh, i bought a spare bumper off someone on 8th. Im guessing he threw on a bodykit onto his Sedan, and he didnt need his anymore $250 shipped(from Canada no less)

10-31-2006, 02:45 PM	#16 (permalink)
VTecVoodoo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 iTrader: 0 / 0%	UPDATE: here's more photos, showing more of the damage.

10-31-2006, 02:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
Kakashi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aurora CO Age: 22 Posts: 3,707 iTrader: 1 / 100%	for $350+... i'd just get HFP and cover it up.. then touch up the top scratches..

10-31-2006, 03:02 PM	#18 (permalink)
VTecVoodoo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 iTrader: 0 / 0%	"for $350+... i'd just get HFP and cover it up.. then touch up the top scratches.." That's a strong contender. I want the HFP front underbumper anyway. I'm glad to hear someone else suggest it. If the scratch touch-up is done well, then it's a solution with benefits and the cost is mainly in an add-on item I'm interested in anyway. The mudflap thing is a little chewed up, perhaps that could be replaced. Otherwise, it's the kind of solution I'm aiming for, an incentive to get the HFP front underbumper. Then perhaps get the rest of the HFP exterior components later on.