I had a mishap causing cosmetic damage only to my bumper. I got a good deal on an OEM bumper cover. Does anyone have any experience with having parts painted?

Is it better to put the bumper on myself, and then have the shop paint it? Or should I take it in and give them my paint code and have them paint it? Or can I just drop the bumper off and it painted?

My car is an 06 (black). Not sure if blending it or matching the paint will be an issue

 

I would put it on and take it to the paint shop. You'll be guaranteed a good paint match that way. If your existing paint is even just a little faded, and you just give them the bumper, you may see the difference,

 

Do you think they will paint the bumper while its attached (masking the rest of the car), or charge me to remove the bumper/reinstall?

 

Agreed, and they probably will just mask it and paint it, or you can tell them you'll take it off......

 

I'm not an expert on painting, but I'd assume they would paint it with it on the car. Then they can feather the paint to patch on the areas around the bumper. Best bet is to call and talk to them before doing anything. Express your concerns with matching, etc.

 

Bumper covers are painted off the vehicle for much better coverage.
We hang them or set them on stands in the paint booth, it's much easier to paint them that way. Bring your VIN# and your color code along with the bumper to the shop.
If you install it on the vehicle, they will pop it back off to paint it.
Labor costs you $$$

 

Thanks!! That is kind of what I was expecting, but wanted to confirm.

 

Have a brand new 2012 Maixma with less than 600 miles on it. Starting to think the paint quality is not the best. Driving same roads as my previous car and have two stone chips in the hood already. Tried looking for a bug and stone refelector, don't want Bra and have found that one is not made for the 7th generation Maximas. Any feedback would be welcomed. Also, the color is Winter Frost White. The dealer prepped the car with Silicone tire dressing and it stained the bottom bumper by the mud flaps. The OEM mud flaps are really just stone guards. No molded mud flap is made for this model either.