andychen19

I got a hit and run on my car (2013 RX450h) and now I have to replace my rear bumper..

Should I go to the dealer or should I just go to a normal body shop with a good reputation? Pros and cons? Thanks.

rayaans

Good body shops will do a good job, just make sure you go to the right one.

However, it also depends on the colour of your car. Starfire pearl - definitely go to the dealer because its a PITA to get right.

andychen19

Thanks. But why is Starfire pearl a PITA to get right? I thought they are just gonna order a replacement and put it on.

fastnoypi

it shouldn't be that bad to do starfire pearl. A good painter would order by paint code (077) and adjust tint as needed.

wilchan

I think most body shops will just mix the paint themselves. Also notice that final clear coat quality is important too. If final clear coat is too thick or too thin, it affects the final tint/tone of the paint job… so it may look darker or lighter than rest of the car..

Do find a good body shop that is willing to stand behind their work and redo it if you are not happy.

wolverine

iTrader: (9)

normally body parts dont come painted so the body shop or dealer will still have to paint it

RX330inFL

Normally done as a three step process. Paint, pearl, clear. Trying to match to the existing paint is a royal pain. Computers make it so much easier to mix. Those shops with the latest and best tech get it right with no problem.

fastnoypi

Sometimes its 3 step but alot of places now are mixing single stage. Agreed that the shops with the highest tech can get the paint as close to perfect to match existing paint.

corradoMR2

Dealer, unless equipped with their own repair shop, will outsource locally anyway and make a cut.

From my experience with my RX and 2IS (both had rear bumpers replaced and painted), my insurance works with Carstar and so that's where I got it done. The work on the 2IS was perfect. The RX, not. The clearcoat had dust stuck on in several spots visible from up close . Needless to say, I pointed it out and they wet-sanded it to repair it - not perfect but I let it go since my time was valuable too.

So advice is, ask the repair shop about their paint facilities, if it's in a dust-free environment or how they stand by their work.

RickC5

Yep--THREE steps for Starfire Pearl. White base coat, then pearl coat over the white, topped by a clear coat. I would have serious misgivings about a single coat & how it would match.

Andy: Be SURE to check out the color match in the bright sun, from several angles. Move the car around if needed. If it doesn't match, have them do it over.

Heck, even the touch-up paint is TWO-step. White base and pearl top coat, so the cost for TWO little bottles of paint is a whopping $30+ or so.

GRPFAN

I just had scratches removed on my rear bumper on my '12 RX350 and my body shop removed the complete bumper to paint it black.
I do remember they had to order a new "scuff pad" on top of the bumper because the old one came off hard and wasn't laying flat like it should.

RX330inFL

I was told by my body shop that if the step pad is removed a new one should "always" be installed. Do not try to reuse the old one. Do not let the shop try to reuse the old one. Do not let the insurance company try to convince you that you do not need a new one.