llangston1

Any suggestions on how to fix the hole in the front bumper of my '01 Rx-300? My wife had a run in with a trailer hitch ball on the freeway last weekend and the pictures show the result. Can it be cut out and bondo'd or do I need a new bumper cover? I have not found any covers at local Houston, TX area salvage yards. I see some CAPTA certified ones for ~$140 on the net. So I could buy one and get it painted or just use my $500 deductible and let the insurance co fix it. The car has 144K miles and is just a secondary drive to work type of vehicle.

hypervish

Welcome to Club Lexus!

Not sure how to go about fixing that. But, if you want a used bumper cover look at www.car-part.com it's a salvage yard database , i know you said there are no bumper covers available local to you, but you may be able to find a bumper through this website.

code58

That can actually be repaired. It would be easier if it were removed. 1st. step would be a heat gun (get it nice and soft but not too soft) and massage it out level when it's hot, then quench it with water to set it. You can use "Bondo" to fill it, but not regular Bondo. You have to rough it up with about 80 grit paper and then use the "gold" bondo (that's the high quality stuff) because it will stick if you don't put it on very thick. Normally you use a 2 part filler that is made for bumper covers but the "Gold Bondo" will work. It is minor enough I'd fix it. It needs to be finish sanded with 150 grit paper before priming. Most bumper cover work requires special products made for that which are flexible. If you're not extremely fussy, I'd get a can of the matching paint at a parts store (take your color code) for about $6.-$7. and a can of clear for about the same and paint it yourself. (They both come in a spray can) You don't have to paint the whole bumper, just where you repaired it.