I have a '98 Sterling Mist Maxima.

Sometime ago I rear-ended someone at low speed, and now there's two ever so slight indentations on my front bumper, which is already pretty marred with pits due to high mileage.

As a result, I'm thinking about having the front bumper cover replaced. To this end I have the following questions for the good folks in this forum:
[list=1][*]How much would it cost?[*]Will there be a differenc in color between the bumper and the rest of the car, given this paint? The car's surface has been taken car of pretty well.[*]Is replacing the bumper cover the best way to go?[/list=1]

 

I'd like to get a brand-new factory bumper with factory paint. Is it possible?

 

you can probably get it repaired, though i dont know what the damage looks like, and a good painter will match and blend the paint

 

1. My 99's rear bumper cover cost $475 to fix. That included a new OEM bumper with paint, install, etc...I would guess the front bumper would be even more considering it is more time consuming to take apart, paint, and re-install. $500-$600 maybe? Get at least 3 estimates....

2. Paint changes color ever so slightly over time...sun, water, everything takes it's toll. Body shops do a pretty good job as far as matching the factory paint, but if you really look at a new paint/old paint joint (for example, a newly painted bumper cover attached to a factory painted body panel) closely you will be able to notice a color difference. If they blend new and old paint over one body panel, it is nearly impossible to determine that there was work done on it. Bottom line: I think you will be able to tell the difference, but it all depends on how picky you are. Most people won't notice.

3. If you disturb the factory primer on the plastic bumper cover by cutting it, bondoing it, or whatever, you are asking for trouble. From what I understand, there are agents in the factory plastic bumper material that help it release from it's mold when it is manufactured. A special primer is required to paint this plastic...if a different paint is used, it will not hold to the cover properly and over time, the paint will start to detach from the cover. Not pretty. Bottom line: replace the whole thing...don't repair it.

I hope this helps you....it helped me through two bumper replacements due to id#%t drivers not knowing how to parallel park. For a car with less than 24k miles, that's pathetic. And expensive.

 

You can get an aftermarket bumper that is primed and ready to pain for about $80. Professional painting costs $75-150. Factor in maybe $30 for shipping.

 

[list=1][*]How much would it cost?[*]Will there be a differenc in color between the bumper and the rest of the car, given this paint? The car's surface has been taken car of pretty well.[*]Is replacing the bumper cover the best way to go?[/list=1] [/B][/QUOTE]

Go to ebay. I was looking to buy a new front bumper too but am going to hold off right now. Ebay had a couple NEW bumpers with primer on them for I think like 85 or 90 bucks. Check it out.

 

www.autobodypartsonline.com

 

can you tell mine is painted later on? i am very picky and cant tell, then again i had the best painter in town blend it

 

1) Get a bumper cover on ebay for a little bit over 100 and get it to a nice body shop for $300. Total cost 400

2) Just repair the damn thing for about $250 at a shop

3) DIY. Paint, primer, clearcoat, sandpaper bondo/filler if necessary all for less then $100.My car is sterling mist and I repainted my bumper myself. Email me for pic

 

Your bumper? Not from a picture....but from what I see it looks very nice. I would imagine that color would be one of the harder ones to match...looks like it came out well.

 

Thank you all for this useful information. I think I'll buy one on eBay (when available) and then have it painted.

But this brings me to another question: does anyone know of a good painting shop in Los Angeles, preferably close to Santa Monica?

How long should I expect the car to be in the shop?

Do they usually paint the bumper separately or do they paint it after attaching it to the car?

Thanks again.

 

Some body shops paint the bumper while its on the car but of course its better to paint it first then put it on the car. Your looking for about 2-3 days without a car. You dont want a place that gives you your car back the same day although it probably can be done.

 

actually i think its better to do it while its on the car, they cant blend it if they do it separately, they just have to cover up the grille and whatnot, it took them 2 days to do it

 

Do I smell group deal ? (hee-hee)