Hi! So I clipped a large piece of road debris on the freeway causing damage on the side of my front bumper. I'd really like some insight on whether or not I should repair the damage. And if I do repair it, how much would it cost roughly? Would the entire bumper have to be repainted? Thank you!

 

ouch, i would repair that if it is was me.

have no idea about the cost.

 

Look at the bright side... Mod it! Clean up the scratch as best you can, buy the front TRD fin for the non F Sport and cover it up. Like this. =)

http://www.importtuner.com/features/kontrabrand_lexus_is250_flexin_a_2jz_powerplant_at_sema_2013/

 

What I would do is:

1) have a shop repair it and blend it in (not paint the entire bumper unless your insurance can cover it with no deductible.....). The cost of repainting the bumper is around 300-400, not worth it for such a minor scratch.

2) get that side piece kit that slaps right onto those areas. That'll cost you less than repainting the whole bumper.

P.S. The guy above beat me to it! That's the kit i meant!

 

I would fix it. I am a layman, but would expect it to cost $400 or so.

 

Hey everyone. Thanks for the input! Just an update: I just got an estimate at a body shop and they said it'd cost around $850 because the car is new and they'd have to remove the entire bumper and all that jazz. D; Now I'm considering fixing it as best I can myself by cleaning it up a bit and filling in the scratch with putty.

 

since its a dark metallic paint, you can probably get away with a nice two stage touch up paint.
paint-clear-water sand-buff. Its very easy. I did the same thing on my mercedes (dark grey) and it matched pretty good.

 

Tell that body shop to shove it! You can get a brand new painted bumper from Sewell for that price.

 

Haha yeah. When he gave me that quote I felt my face getting hot 'cause I looked up the cost of a new bumper beforehand. Oh well.

 

I hope that's the case! I've already got touch up paint so hopefully I don't screw up when I try to repair it.

 

Ouch, that hurts, I would repair it.

 

Oh, it's definitely not going to be an easy task, especially since I've never attempted any kind of minor body repair on a car. Haha wow. I wouldn't have been able to run over the road debris I clipped. But yes. Lesson further learned. Going to be extra vigilant from now on. Thanks.

 

Thats Modellista, not TRD. Got them on my car.

 

I would take it to a detailer to have them buff it down or possibly wet sand if needed before I attempted to touch it up

 

You should ask Zack McGovern who posts in the detailing section of the CL forum what he suggests to minimize it. He is a professional detailer, unfortunately he's not located in California, but he is extremely helpful in providing members assistance. I would ask Zack what he thinks how it could be buffed out to minimize it.