Steve2424

Hello everyone. I recently purchased a 2008 Matador Red Mica on black GS350 last week. The car has 45,000 miles fully loaded with navi and ML. Upon picking it up on the day I went to finish off the buying process, I come to find 2 scratches on the rear bumper freshly done by some genius that moved the car that day -- to which the dealership manager obliged to have the whole bumper repainted on their dime -- since there were other scratches from normal usage I felt like I lucked out (right?) lol

My concern is that:
A) paint matching -- my gf's father mentioned to me that they would repaint it, but the type of paint used wouldn't "flex" (using a certain type of paint/coat to add elasticity to the paint) like when bumpers (especially living in NY) get bumped around -- causing the paint to crack and chip off. Is this true?

B) with the rear bumper sensors, is there any special process to follow? Judging from how well they know how to drive, I'm a little hesitant to trust them to repaint the car and mess up anything further (albeit, it would be free)

Am I being too concerned about this? Btw, it's a honda dealership in which the previous owner traded his car into. Car fax and autocheck were clean, all body panels are correct -- no new screws, unpainted parts to signify an unreported accident. Underbody had no rust either.

What I intend on doing is having a friend of my brother's inspect it and get a detail of what is needed to provide to the dealer with and hopefully they follow it -- but again, I'm not too confident in the finished product and don't want a WHOLE chipping bumper in a year...or should I just leave it? Lol

Thank you for any insight/ info.

Schmexus

Congrats on the new car. Pics??


I'd be more concerned that it won't match the older paint on the rest of the car. The only thing the dealership will be doing(if anything) is removing/installing the bumper. It's a pretty simple process that even the least competent shop monkey should be able to do. Chances are they don't want to have to pay for any other repairs so they'll probably be a bit more careful this time around IMO.

pheonix72

iTrader: (6)

I think you are worry too much for nothing. A decent paint shop should not have any problem matching the color. Flex agent/additive will be added to the paint as standard procedure to prevent cracking/peeling. Parking sensors came with factory match colors and pretty much plug and play.
Make sure the shop offer lifetime warranty on their work and you will be OK.
Sorry about trouble and good luck.

Steve2424

Thanks for the reply! I will post pics when I get a chance to take some decent shots of it. As far as the paint, the body paint looks great except for a couple nicks here and there -- it's a used car so what can ya do, right? Lol

I would expect the dealer to be careful (and I hope they paint it right and by right I mean removing the bumper rather than paint it while it's on the car). My other route was going to be - and probably will end up being - me putting a clear bra on the rear bumper anyway.

Steve2424

Phoenix I must have written while you responded. I agree, but with regards to the sensors, are they supposed to be removed prior to painting? I'm worried that the shop will just pray and spray and mess up (hopefully not) the sensors.

Also, this flexing agent/ additive is standard now?

Schmexus

I would say unless they're using "Joe blow" in the alley for paint jobs, they will know they're painting a plastic bumper so they should know what needs to be added.

I don't trust anybody to work on my car, but you sound like an extreme version of me lol.

BinaryJay

I would tell them to just discount the car whatever their cost for the repainting was and just drive it and ignore it since it's just on plastic, next time you scratch it you won't feel as bad.

pheonix72

iTrader: (6)

Yes, they will have to remove the pumper to prep and respray. It is so much easier than taping/masking. Usually there are maybe 6 screws and clips holding the bumper. And yes, the parking sensors would have to be removed for the job.
Like other members mentioned! Any reputable shop would know to add flex agent when paint plastic parts!
I also would recommend to add them for discount and leave the bumper alone (if the scratches aren't too bad). If it bother then definitely ask for it to be re sprayed at a reputable shop with Life Time warranty.
Btw, you have to wait until the paint fully cured before wrap it up with clear bra.

Steve2424

Thanks guys. I would wait about a week before installing a clear bra. The paint bothered me enough that I preferred to have it repainted, rather than get a discount and wonder who/where I would go to get it painted. It's not terribly bad -- I will post pics once I figure out how to do so -- but with the other nicks and scratches on the bumper I looked at it like a free paint job. I will definitely bring up the lifetime warranty on the paint as well as ensure they understand they need to remove the sensors so as not to mess up their functionality. All in all, I love this car -- the comfort, power, luxury touches. Coming from a 2001 Maxima, this is definitely a big step up for me which I intend to drive until the wheels fall off lol. I've scoured this forum for a few years and really appreciated how helpful everyone on here is. Thanks again! I'll keep you all posted on this

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Used car dealer for small scratches, i can almost bet you they will call in a touch up painter. These guys come out to the dealership, they do not take the bumper off. Everything is taped off, the damaged area is the only part that gets sanded down and with a tiny mini air gun out of their van they will touch it up. The quality of paint will not be the greatest, the match job is usually spot on. These guys work at auctions, used car lots, and many other places. For stuff like this they would charge the dealer $150-200

FIY I wouldn't suggest putting on a clear bra on a bumper that has been resprayed. It MAY peel off the paint, ask any reputable clear bra specialist and they will tell you the same.

If this were my car and the car was accident free, I would have them try to buff out the scratch as best as possible and put some touch up paint to hide the scratch