aneidiaz

So I been busy these past 2 months. But November, oh man. What a month it's been for me. 1st, I get backed up into at my old block, left a squared hitch mark dead in the center of my bumper. Then about 1 week later, I unfortunately crashed the driver side front end. .. Anyhow, I've already started busting my a** to fix this problem. Well, for the amount the insurance won't cover at least. I'm thinking about replacing front bumper cover with a painted one right off of www.Sewellparts.com. Also, brand new H.I.D. compatible headlights, fog lamps + bulbs, side turn signal lamps + bulbs, etc. All of that off of SewellParts. I also think I will need a front bumper energy absorber (the white styrofoam thing that goes right behind the bumper cover, yeah. And a few things here and there, the clips for the fender protector, a chrome strip thats right below the fender, like right attached to it with screws. Also, a new mirror. Most likely, I'll get that off eBay for around $265 shipped and eveything. Same silver millenium, 1CO color code as my GS430.

Anyhow, I'm dropping this thread to get some input on the way I should do this whole thing, plus some helpful advice based on the questions I have. I've never ordered painted products for a car before. Has anyone had any experience ordering parts with paint such as bumpers, fenders, etc. off SewellParts.com? I'd rather spend more $$$ if they're gonna do it right the first time and make the build easier for me upon installation. eBay can offer services like this too, but I have a gut feeling they're gonna be less dedicated as opposed to a Lexus dealer? Idk..... I just want my baby to look good again. Anyhow, I have pics posted so you guys+gals can observe my recent chain of bad luck..... Any suggestions are deeply appreciated! Thanks for checking my thread in advance!

aneidiaz

I tried looking for DIYs on bumper removal and installation to try and get an idea on how to do everything in order. Plus to get an insight on how many clips I will need to buy to have everything new again under the fender. I couldn't . Please anyone help.

LALEX1

iTrader: (22)

I have a mirror for you, though you would have to get it painted. I also have a driver side fender in millennium silver in perfect condition!! pm me we'll talk

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

You NEVER order Painted parts.. The proper way to do it if you want it to match is.,, get parts and paint it while on the car.. Other than that, good luck matching in the sun.

aneidiaz

On a reasonable basis, how much do you think a paint shop, let's say Maaco for example, would charge me to paint the front bumper and fender once it's on? I really want to avoid all that but I won't if it's the PROPER way to do it. Also, are they able to do it with the parts on the car actually or would they have to take the car apart to paint them seperately detached from the car? I'm not familiar withg the paint business. Thanks for the heads up!!!!!

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

First off, I think Sewell is Great.. But ordering painted parts can get expensive very quick. The problem is that our cars dont have fresh paint any more, so getting a freshly painted car part to match your color code will be difficult. You probably wont tell at a quick glance but in the sun or different angles it will be noticible. A body shop will match and blend the color code so it matches the car.. there is more to it, but Hope that helps.

Are you interested in OEM or aftermarket? aftermarket can fit just as-well as OEM at half the cost and no one would be able to tell except for you.

Maaco = No

It also depends on your budget and quality. The parts can be aftermarket but the Chunk of the Money should go towards a good reputable body shop. Usually the dealer can tell you which local shop they use. Some body shops have to be certified in order to paint/work on that particular brand.

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

on my old GS, i had Aftermarket Bumper and fenders. Ran me about $400.. Had my painter do it for $200.. it was looking nice.. Most could not tell the difference, nor that it was painted/repaired.. Very minimal Orange peel and matched the whole car. My concern was my budget at the time so i wasnt going to go over 1K.

Shop around maybe post threads on your local sections to see which body shop they recommend..

aneidiaz

I was planning to go OEM... But the only 2 things I don't know which route to take with is just the bumper and fender... I can easily buy them off eBay and save a few $$$ but that's not my concern. I've ordered primered bumper covers before off eBay for my 98 Honda Civic and they always seem to not fit right. I'm skeptical. The way I see it is the SewellParts painted bumper will of course run me more but will it fit right and look good paint wise? Idk. But yes, I do plan to go fully OEM. I know a DuPont paint/body shop not too far from my house. I think they will be a better preference then Maaco. I just hope they dont charge me an arm and a leg if I just order the bumper and fender primed and take it to them to get it painted. And the reason I ask if they can paint the parts actually on the car is because if in the case they can't, I'll just take the parts in seperately (off the car) get them painted, and install them back myself to avoid the labor charge, etc. Idk what to do. But please, thanks for your advice. Anything else you can offer me will be taken into great consideration. I look at this forum with great relief sometimes.....

aneidiaz

I really want to go OEM. I love this car dearly and for all the trips it's given me, stress free, I wanna treat it right. With nothing but OEM parts. The only expensive parts are really the bumper, mirror, and fender. I sent a PM to LALEX1 above to try and see if I can get pics of the fender and mirror. If that doesn't work, I'll just go with SewellParts all the way...

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

well, if money is not really a concern just take the car to a reputable shop and let them do everything for you. You can go to lexus and get a quote from them to fix it. They will tell you how much and which shop. Or you can go to the shop directly and cut out the dealership.

aneidiaz

I mean money is always an issue. LOL. But fortunately I'm skilled in certain areas which make building this car back together easy for me. I'm a good DIY person. Talking about DIY, do you know any DIYs I can use as reference to the removal and installation of the bumper and front fender? I looked but couldnt find the exact thing I was looking for... I'm still looking too .. I just really wanna know if paint shops are able to paint parts right on a car.. Like no other difficulties, no detaching of any sort, like getting the job done as is. If I can get an answer to that, I can plan more strategically to economize on this little bad luck of mine... Thanks for the support my friend! Your the best!

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

If it means anything, my car has an eBay painted front bumper and I'm very happy with it. You can always return it if you don't like it.

aneidiaz

Can you post up any pics of it like right after the day you got it installed? I know that's prolly alot to ask for, but if youcan, you'd make my day bud!

aneidiaz

Any DIYs? Please. I'm searching but it feels as though at times, that this forum reader gets harder and harder to search for pin and point things. I'm trying...

1sWt2GS

iTrader: (6)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ou-search.html

diy thread for 2gs.

gl