Touch up/Paintless Bumper Repairs?

Euphemistic on 07/02/2023 - 09:21
Last edited 07/02/2023 - 09:25

Before Christmas my car was backed into. The front bumper was hit, scuffed and in doing so there are several areas of cracked paint. Fortunately the other party stuck around and I have details.

Firstly, yes I’m insured. Other party wants to pay private and seems legit. He was being a bit cagey about where he wanted to get the repair done just telling me it is great workmanship and I’m booked in for a repair, but has finally given up the details. I’m aware I can easily go insurance and don’t need to do him any favours but it will cost everyone more $ but guarantee a 100% job.

Anyone had experience with these ‘touch up’ repair guys vs a full body shop insurance repair. Is their ‘driveway paint job’ up to standard? The other party’s touch up/bumper repair quote is $500ish. Body shop bumper replacement quote is $1500ish.

Car is 2yo in otherwise great condition. If it was an old car I’d just go ahead with the mobile touch up guy. I had contemplated putting repair $ into a bullbar but $500 isn’t sufficient to make it worthwhile.

Primarily asking about these mobile touch up repairs vs full body shop and would prefer not to get a hundred ‘just go insurance’ comments.

Also interested in this type of repair for another vehicle I’m paying out of pocket.

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/107873/101515/4672058b…

Automotive Car Care

Comments

  • jv on 07/02/2023 - 09:24
    +4

    Just claim on your insurance.

    Thread closed.

    • Euphemistic on 07/02/2023 - 09:24
      +1

      I can do this. I’d also like some feedback on this type of repair for another vehicle in the future.

      • jv on 07/02/2023 - 09:28

        for another vehicle in the future.

        Are you clairvoyant ?

        • Euphemistic on 07/02/2023 - 09:28

          Nah. It’s damaged now, but may be worth tarting it up before selling.

  • Bid Sniper on 07/02/2023 - 09:29
    +1

    If you take the bumper off and drop it off, here in Sydney can get a respray done for $500 cash. Insurance probably $1500

  • kerfuffle on 07/02/2023 - 09:39
    +1

    If your car is only 2 years old, I'm going to assume there's a lot more than just a bumper e.g. sensors etc. I'd be going through insurance for this

    • Euphemistic on 07/02/2023 - 09:46

      As far as I’m aware there are no special sensors in my model (21 Dmax). I asked the question on a Dmax group to determine if I could DIY a bullbar install.

  • sumyungguy on 07/02/2023 - 09:45
    +3

    For a 2-year old car I'd prefer a quality of repair that's non-evident; consider full body shop at owner-pays rate, somewhat cheaper than insurance rate.

  • ariyan82 on 07/02/2023 - 10:13
    +1

    I took a risk and booked a mobile repair shop (Sydney) to come over and repair my car’s badly scratched front bumpers. Have to say that repair and paint work was done perfectly. Check their online rating and reviews.

  • MS Paint on 07/02/2023 - 10:38

    cracked paint.

    This would be my concern. Any pictures?

    • Euphemistic on 07/02/2023 - 11:07

      There’s one linked in the OP. If you zoom a bit you can see a star crack on the front plus cracking under the headlight on the corner. Also crinkled paint around the indicators.

      • MS Paint on 07/02/2023 - 11:11

        Dang! I missed that.

        There is a crease in the plastic, deeply grazed in areas and that star crack in the paint job is another concern.

        Go to a panel workshop and ask for an insurance type assessment and a private job repair quote. It will be free and a good assessor will be able to tell you in seconds.

        I'm betting under insurance they would replace the bumper and respray.

        If it was me, I would go through insurance.

        For shits and giggles upload your info here for an assessment.

  • Boioioioi on 07/02/2023 - 11:21
    +1

    Your bumper itself looks damaged, not just paint. Go through insurance. Why bother doing it dodgy. The other guy is just trying to save a buck. If they wanted to save a buck they should drive more carefully..

  • pjetson on 07/02/2023 - 13:14

    If the paint is cracked, paintless dent repair is not possible.

    • Euphemistic on 07/02/2023 - 13:51

      It’s a plastic bumper. Mainly scuffed so will need paint but my concern is to wether the repairs to the plastic will suffice or that painting outdoors is any concern being a mobile business.

  • Leadfoot6 on 07/02/2023 - 14:11
    +1

    Since not working in used car yards for a number of years now my direct experience is becoming dated, but when I had extensive up close contact with "The Touch Up Guys" in Blacktown/Sydney North-Western suburbs they were excellent.

    The standard of work was flawless.

    https://www.touchupguys.com.au/locations/hills-district/

    I don't know if the old contractor is the same as the current one.

    The bumper bar repair contemplated by the OP in his attached image is "just right" for a TUG contractor.

  • Euphemistic on 11/02/2023 - 22:14

    Follow up: I spoke to the touch up repairer. He asked me to send a couple more photos highlighting my areas of concern. He came back with that he can’t guarantee a perfect result, but it would be near perfect and I should consider a full insurance job with bumper replacement.

    Next stop, disappointing the guy that hit me with a larger bill.

    • kerfuffle on 11/02/2023 - 22:37
      +1

      disappointing the guy that hit me with a larger bill.

      Well that's what he gets for trying to settle privately and not having insurance.

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