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Replacing a Bumper Cover - Need Advice


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Tom_Thumb
New User

Nov 9, 2015, 6:05 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1824 views)
Replacing a Bumper Cover - Need Advice Sign In

I want to replace my front bumper cover from a small collision I was involved in recently (It's not worth making an insurance claim, and the shops wanted at least $800, so I'm fixing it myself).

The car is a 2010 Toyota Matrix.

My question is about what the exact part I need is. These are the options available:



From this site:


-R refers to remanufactured, but I have no idea what -C, -PP, and -V are. What do they all mean?

As far as I know, the parts ending with 344XX don't have valence/spoiler holes, and those ending with 345XX do. What are valence and spoiler holes?
I found a supplier that can get me any of these parts for about what is listed there, but I found something on amazon, for much less:



So I'd like to know if that ^ would also work. It looks like it's ~$100 cheaper, which would be great, I just want to make sure it's good. Is it a good idea to buy car parts on Amazon?

Finally, I've found someone that will paint it the right color for me. I have some questions about painting:
- what steps are involved to get it done right?
- is it easy to match the color? Does Toyota use standard colors?
- what kind of finishing goes on a part like this?

Thanks!




Links deleted .............. not allowed.


(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 9, 2015, 6:44 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 9, 2015, 6:47 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1812 views)
Re: Replacing a Bumper Cover - Need Advice Sign In

How do you plan on getting this bumper painted. That alone is worth a couple hundred. If the bumper comes through damaged like most do, it will need some body work.

You might as well drive it the way it is. It will look about the same, not to mention it likely has more damage behind it.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 9, 2015, 11:58 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1798 views)
Re: Replacing a Bumper Cover - Need Advice Sign In

Should have gone for the $800. As HT said the paint alone done well is going to cost 1/2 your quote. Fixing bad paint work costs even more. If you can't name the parts this isn't for you,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 10, 2015, 3:05 AM

Post #4 of 4 (1791 views)
Re: Replacing a Bumper Cover - Need Advice Sign In

This may be hard to believe but the paint supplies alone can cost over $200 and have to be custom mixed. The paint color also requires a flex agent be added. After a couple coats of color, multiple coats of clear are applied. Matching colors is a project in itself.The costs are outrageous.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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