Rear Bumper Repair Quote

Haven't had this truck (2018 Limited) two weeks yet, and backed into another car! Totally my fault...did it in my own driveway.

The damage is limited to the rear driver's side bumper cover, and the end support that it attaches to, the little piece of plastic trim under the panel behind the mud flap, and possibly to the sensor.

The body shop I took it to today quoted $1480! I was told that, since there is a small chip in the paint (behind where the bumper cover would cover it up, that in order to warranty their work, they have to clear-coat the entire side of the bed. It was explained that this is so the clear coat can "wrap around" the edge of the metal where the paint was repaired.

There is NO damage to the quarter panel or the tail light. In the image below, you can see where the paint chipped just below the left bottom corner of the tail light. This area isn't even visible when the bumper cover is on.

My research tells me that the bumper cover should cost about $100, the end support should cost about $156 and the sensor (if needed) should cost about $200. There would also be the paint for the bumper cover, and the labor for painting, disassembly and reassembly.

What I don't understand is the need to clear coat the entire side of the bed because of the minor touch-up needed in an area that isn't even visible when the bumper cover is put back on.

Does this make sense to any of you?

 

I’ve heard of painting entire panel to have an even coat all around. It definately sounds like that’s where majority of your quote comes from. Try a different shop?

I scratched my passenger side door down to the metal with about a 1/8” deep dent and had it repaired for $900. This included repainting the entire door

 

Sounds about right......I had a little rant about it myself:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...er-is-an-expensive-and-delicate-p-o-s.539946/

 

Replacement aftermarket rear metal bumpers are low as $750

 

Try another shop, or better yet, get some touch up paint and put a steel bumper on that. It will be cheaper and you won't have to file a claim.

 

I would just buy a steel bumper and then never have to worry about it again.

 

Hmm in a perfect world where unicorns crap out money I could see there point I guess... if its just the bumper and a small chip of paint. https://www.automotivetouchup.com/paintpen.asp
Get you a touch up pen and clearcoat pen for now and the more scratches to come. Replace the bumper and done.

 

When I get around to replacing mine I’m gonna chuck the old one into the lobby at the dealership.

Really is the fakest thing on the truck. Calling it a bumper at all is kinda misleading.

 

throw a steel bumper on there. Don't worry about the sensors...They don't work anyways.

 

If you looking at replacing the parts yourself, check out posts #5 and #22 on this thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/16-tacoma-bumper-cap-removal.404082/

 

DO NOT LET THEM PAINT YOUR BEDSIDE!! At that point the "truck" has been painted on and you possibly devalue it. Do the small touch up and forget about it because they orange peel of the paint (if they re-cleared the bedside) will not match the rest of the truck. Then, pocket the $1K for mods.

 

Get three estimates...one from the dealer and two from independent body shops. Price sounds about right for scope of work with lifetime warranty for repair on such a new vehicle being done right. In the end you fucked it up...gotta pay or you can save a few bucks and hack it back together.

 

Taking it to another shop today. I'll update as soon as I get the estimate. Definately NOT going to "hack it".............too new, and too expensive! I want it repaired correctly, and with warranty.

 

Take it from me who has done repairs of this kind, sometimes the only way to make it look right is to clear the one side after color blending your base coat. Because the clear from the manufacturer might not blend with the aftermarket clear it is best to clear it all. Ibad2k is not giving you the actual truth when it comes to orange peel becuase most shops color sand the clear and buff to make it look factory. A bad auto body may not do it correctly and cut the clear to make it right so beware of who does it.$.02

 

Can you show a picture of the chipped paint? I can't see it.
If it were me I'd just touch it up if you can't see it when the bumper is on. When you go to trade it or sell it most times they use a thickness scanner on the paint and will be able to tell it's had paint work done which will drop the value of your truck.
Maybe only $500 or less but it will count against you.

 

I've buffed a loooooot of paint and I can almost always tell pretty quickly by looking a vehicle over if it's been repaired. Put a gauge on it and game over. Once something has paint work done, the value of the vehicle goes down period. Now you may find a private buyer who doesnt care, or that you can pull one over on, but aftermarket paint wont be a perfect match. In fact, a lot of times factory paint isn't a perfect match because they may swap drums or even brands mid way on the production line. It happens.

 

Looks like its time for a plate bumper. Next time you do it, whatever you hit is going to need repair. The plate bumper is 6 bolts and 4 hands to install take about 30 minutes.

That stuff there in your pick - takes longer to get it off than putting a new plate bumper on.

 

Be careful on the plate bumper, most don't allow the sensors to work properly.

 

@davidcliett I'm just a bit South of you and selling a complete bumper and hitch for $250. Come buy it. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-bumper-and-hitch-250-atlanta-ga.550482/

You'd have to get the sensors to fit, but you can probably just drill it out.

 

I have the end supports off my 2016 for sale. 25.00each plus shipping if interested