Why can't I buy painted pieces from dealership?

Hi yawl...

I recently had a hit and run damage my front bumper cover on a 2012 Tacoma and was wondering why i cannot just order a new cover from the dealership that is factory painted? All they sell is it black unprimed and not painted.

On a side note, does anyone know where i can order this piece already painted so that all i have to do is throw it on?

 

You should be able to get a factory painted bumper cover from the dealership. Are you looking at an online catalog or did you call them and talk to someone?

 

I know the color matched sport grills come already painted.

 

rockauto.com

 

Black unpainted is how the dealership will get a lot of parts like that. If they are doing repairs to the truck they will then have it painted (at their shop if they have one or at a body shop they partner with) and install it. They can't get one painted "from the factory", but I'm sure they can get it painted for you, but I guarantee you won't like that price. You'd be better of taking it somewhere to get it painted yourself.

 

i would guess because most toy dealers don't have a body shop.

 

Just Auto companies keeping price down. cheaper to have dealership paint rather than having a huge stock of one color that won't sell. I think They do have painted mirrors though. At least a year ago they did.

 

You sure about that? You can get some factory color matched parts no problem like grilles, mirrors and handles, makes sense you'd be able to get the bumper cover also, no?

 

Yes, I'm pretty sure this is the case with some parts. Sure you'd think so, I used to too, but it's not the case for some parts from my experiences. It's probably isolated to the larger body parts (fenders, doors, bedsides, etc.)

 

Out of all the manufactures. One of the Toyota dealerships in my city have a specialized body shop that is connected to the dealership. I am sure they cause a pretty penny though. "Apparently" they use all Toyota parts, technicians etc.

 

I suppose that make sense, I guess I spoke out of turn. I purchased a few color matched things, just assumed the stealership could get others as well. My bad.

 

Yeah i called the dealerships and they just offered unpainted bumper cover for $350 (and im guessing that does not also include the side flare pieces). I know i would pay more potentially but just wanted to simplest and easiest way to have something ready to bolt on. I guess i can order the piece and take it somewhere to paint, but was hoping to get it for the best color match from a dealer (super white 040).

The ones i see on ebay (some come primed already) those you think aftermarket or the same as what Toyota would sell me? They are on average $100+ cheaper than dealer.

 

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1502962,parttype,1344
This one is even cheaper, will still have to paint though.

 

Yeah that is for rear bumper looking for the cover on the front bumper.

 

Re check my link. I updated

 

Nice, thanks for the link.

Does anyone know if there is no damage to the cover, can it be stripped and repainted? Do i really even need a new piece or can i just have a paint shop strip it, prime it and repaint it?

 

I'd say it depends what kind of damage was done, but you said none. I had my bumper cover repainted after a very minor accident and didn't require replacement. I'm not sure exactly what process they used, but it was done through the dealership (or their partnered bodyshop).

 

It can be stripped and repainted. I've done it before on bumpers and fender flares. Some folks say you cannot replicate the exact texture, but the results seemed just fine.


Having said that, it was a bit of a pain in the ass to prep. Once sanded, I had to prep with fiberglass instead of using a stud welder and bondo. The resin can be a pain to sand and blend properly. Even if you don't have to prep as carefully, I think it would cost more to have a body shop get your old bumper cover ready for paint. If you are doing the work yourself, go for it but otherwise a body shop would do better to order a new bumper cover.


Have you though about giving it a very light wet sand and applying a new coat of clear? If there is no damage to the underlying paint, you don't need to completely strip it.

 

You can have your old one repainted. If you choose to replace it I would go with oem because aftermarket parts fit like garbage. Bumpers don't come painted from the factory that goes for pretty much all car manufactures.