Should I fix my bumper or replace it?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Should I fix my bumper or replace it?
The clear coat is coming off the bottom of my front bumper in Big plastic chips?? Anyone else have this problem? The rest of my paint is in good condition. I wanted to repaint my hood due to road/rock chips & dings in the finish. Is it worth the labor to remove the front bumper sand, repair (small crack in right corner) and repaint or should I buy a new bumper, paint and install.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Louisville Ky
I would depend on price for the front to replace to me. If you are going to repaint your hood it may be worth it to get a new front and have it painted in the process. I replaced the rear quarter panel on my wife's C5 and it was more reasonable that I thought.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
I can see repairing a fender or hood. I had my roof panel repaired and repainted, previous owner was a member of the FRC. I have two tops, glass and solid. The bumpers are so soft I didn't think it possible or worth the effort to repair them? I was thinking of a junk yard replacement or a custom front bumper if I found one for a good price. Still would like to hear of other owners with this paint issue. It looks like a bad paint job. Maybe it was repaired and repainted by a previous owner. I purchased her back in 2007 and the clear coat was d-laminating back then. Its under the bumper so its not noticeable.
Last edited by Jims79; Dec 29, 2013 at 11:35 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,305
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From: Hollister CA
I can see repairing a fender or hood. I had my roof panel repaired and repainted, previous owner was a member of the FRC. I have two tops, glass and solid. The bumpers are so soft I didn't think it possible or worth the effort to repair them? I was thinking of a junk yard replacement or a custom front bumper if I found one for a good price. Still would like to hear of other owners with this paint issue. It looks like a bad paint job. Maybe it was repaired and repainted by a previous owner. I purchased her back in 2007 and the clear coat was d-laminating back then. Its under the bumper so its not noticeable.
Last edited by bobeast; Dec 29, 2013 at 01:11 PM.
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I had a small tear in my front fascia repaired about 4 years ago and the repair plus the repaint (including removal and reinstall) ran right at $500. If you can find an aftermarket fascia that you really like, it might be a good time to update the look of the car.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 5
From: Nebraska
I haven't personally looked, but... according to the owner of my body shop that we use and trust, said " he cant fix mine for what it would cost to get an "OEM approved" replacement".
Not sure what the difference between the an OEM approved and a OEM part is. Mine has a crack and miner spider webbing from a previous owner curb check. By the time he pulls mine off, fixes it, preps it for the new paint, he can get a replacement, prep, paint including minor rock chips in hood. Blend it all in to the rest of the car, cheaper than he can mess around with the old one.
I think he was talking in the $400 range for a new one. labor to switch it out was a bust. Had to take the old one off to fix it.
Total out the door was around $1500.
Not sure what the difference between the an OEM approved and a OEM part is. Mine has a crack and miner spider webbing from a previous owner curb check. By the time he pulls mine off, fixes it, preps it for the new paint, he can get a replacement, prep, paint including minor rock chips in hood. Blend it all in to the rest of the car, cheaper than he can mess around with the old one.
I think he was talking in the $400 range for a new one. labor to switch it out was a bust. Had to take the old one off to fix it.
Total out the door was around $1500.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
It boils down to this.
Fixing a urethane bumper is an extremely easy fix. I know several people who got their front fascia painted for 500 dollars which included fixing a few cracks.
I don't know how the clear coat could come off in sheets unless it was repainted. The factory process is so defined that the base coat and clear coat are molecularly fused.
If this is the case and the body shop sees this as an issue he would want to paint a New bumper and not go through the grief of stripping that clear coat.
So you could have the option of a few different front fascia designs for similar money.
Fixing a urethane bumper is an extremely easy fix. I know several people who got their front fascia painted for 500 dollars which included fixing a few cracks.
I don't know how the clear coat could come off in sheets unless it was repainted. The factory process is so defined that the base coat and clear coat are molecularly fused.
If this is the case and the body shop sees this as an issue he would want to paint a New bumper and not go through the grief of stripping that clear coat.
So you could have the option of a few different front fascia designs for similar money.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
It boils down to this.
Fixing a urethane bumper is an extremely easy fix. I know several people who got their front fascia painted for 500 dollars which included fixing a few cracks.
I don't know how the clear coat could come off in sheets unless it was repainted. The factory process is so defined that the base coat and clear coat are molecularly fused.
If this is the case and the body shop sees this as an issue he would want to paint a New bumper and not go through the grief of stripping that clear coat.
So you could have the option of a few different front fascia designs for similar money.
Fixing a urethane bumper is an extremely easy fix. I know several people who got their front fascia painted for 500 dollars which included fixing a few cracks.
I don't know how the clear coat could come off in sheets unless it was repainted. The factory process is so defined that the base coat and clear coat are molecularly fused.
If this is the case and the body shop sees this as an issue he would want to paint a New bumper and not go through the grief of stripping that clear coat.
So you could have the option of a few different front fascia designs for similar money.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
there are only a few selections.. you can also go with a new OEM design ( Original fascia. )
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Dec 30, 2013 at 03:31 PM.