I'm in idiot
 

About 30 minutes ago I was driving in the slow lane going the speed limit when I changed lanes and did not see a semi truck. he honked and I served but it was a little late and our bumpers hit. my rear bumper is toast. luckily no body damage. I ordered a rear bumper from suncoast for $950 (just now) but they come primer coated. any idea of a good painter in the pdx? also, is it difficult to install a rear bumper? any other suggests? thanks.

I just recently removed my rear bumper for mods, and i am no mechanic. Just kept looking found screws, all pretty evident and easy to remove. You will need a star screwdriver; be very observant around the tailamps, very hard to remove 2 screws in that area.

After you remove the bumper, you will be able to inspect the steel bumper underneath and the exhaust/exhaust shields for any damage.

thanks so much. appreciate it. I wasn't aware of the steel bumper underneath. really hope that is ok...

Sorry, I know how it feels.

Thanks appreciate it. Just realized I should have said "I'm an idiot" instead of "I'm in idiot." This day keeps getting better!

Bummer.

Rear poly bumper removal is super easy. Remove both tail lights, then the torx screws along the top edge, finally the couple of torx screws in the L/R wheel wells. Careful disconnecting the license plate light harness before dropping everything.

Don't worry about it, everyone expects when buying a used car the front and rear bumpers may have been repaired or resprayed from minor accidents. As long as nothing else is damaged your all good.


Just make sure the paint shop match the orange peel on the metal paint. Check for fish eyes in the paint after words, if you find any make sure they redo it and not just rub it down, because rubbing it down will flatten the orange peel. Go through your insurance don't pay cash, this way if they mess it up you can get your insurance company to force them to do it again or they aint getting paid.

Some of the better shops will want to blend the paint job into the existing paint on the car. That way you don't have a definitive "line" of new paint where the bumper joins the rest of the car. If it's done right you won't be able to tell where the new and original paint colors overlap.

I would call Marque motors, ask who they recommend. Good shop down there where I had my car inspected before bringing back to Seattle.

thanks for the feed back. my fear of going through insurance is that it would put an "accident" on the records of the car and tank resale value. any thoughts on this?


yes, i'll give marque motors a call, great idea. I've been there a few times. thanks.

Don't file with your insurance. Figure you are $1500 in to a new bumper and paint. Put it on yourself or have the shop do it.

Agreed. Unless you see some structural damage to the metal bumper or frame once you remove the rear poly bumper cover.

ok thanks. I found a place that may be able to repair the bumper without replacing. it doesn't look like any damage underneath...keeping my fingers crossed...

My 964 was rear ended, poly style bumper outside as well, and my body guys repaired it for $500, cheaper in 1995, and I was hard pressed to know it had been hit. Granted it was not a semi, but like everyone says a good body shop will make it disappear. Good luck.

Yes, and your deductible is probably $500 to $1,000, it'll put an accident on your record and also a claim. Insurance companies tell you it's okay to have a claim or two, that is BS. You will have to pay for it, it'll be double of what you will pay out of pocket. Now if it was a major accident then you have no choice. It's kinda sad that we buy insurance and is afraid to make a claim.