should i replace the rear bumper myself?
05-09-11, 10:50 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
should i replace the rear bumper myself?
my rear bumper has been needing some love for a long time now... got an estimate from a body shop and they said it would be about 1100 or so...
did a little research and found out i could get a brand new oem bumper from sewell for about $400 shipped... why can't i just prime it and paint it and put it on myself?
sure, i've never done anything like this before, but how hard could it be? if someone could just guide me through the bumper removal process that would be great...
yeah and the priming and painting and all the rear parking sensor stuff... in fact, could somebody just come over and do it all for me? j/k =)
i figure i would approach this project as follows:
- order rear bumper cover (w/sensor cutouts) from sewell.
- remove old bumper, leave sensors attached?
- remove chrome molding from old bumper
- prime new bumper - where to get this?
- paint new bumper oem black to match car - where to get this? do i also need clearcoat?
- install new bumper (and old sensors)
- install old chrome molding on new bumper
i know, i'm probably going to need supporting parts and the like, but shouldn't that be basically it?
if i could get some assistance, maybe it could be a diy-write up...
did a little research and found out i could get a brand new oem bumper from sewell for about $400 shipped... why can't i just prime it and paint it and put it on myself?
sure, i've never done anything like this before, but how hard could it be? if someone could just guide me through the bumper removal process that would be great...
yeah and the priming and painting and all the rear parking sensor stuff... in fact, could somebody just come over and do it all for me? j/k =)
i figure i would approach this project as follows:
- order rear bumper cover (w/sensor cutouts) from sewell.
- remove old bumper, leave sensors attached?
- remove chrome molding from old bumper
- prime new bumper - where to get this?
- paint new bumper oem black to match car - where to get this? do i also need clearcoat?
- install new bumper (and old sensors)
- install old chrome molding on new bumper
i know, i'm probably going to need supporting parts and the like, but shouldn't that be basically it?
if i could get some assistance, maybe it could be a diy-write up...
Last edited by danxp; 05-09-11 at 10:54 PM.
05-09-11, 11:11 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
I don't have any paint experience at all, but it seems that the hardest part would be color matching it so you have a uniform shade of color from your rear quarter panels/trunk to your bumper. The actual installation shouldn't be too bad. Don't know if sensors are attached or not.
05-09-11, 11:21 PM
#3
Driver
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Location: Va
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best way IMO to do it is take the bumper to a body shop loose, have them paint it, then install yourself, you will save some money that way.
If you want to save more, since it is only a bumper, order a quart of your color from dealer and give to them, its even cheaper that way.
If you want to save more, since it is only a bumper, order a quart of your color from dealer and give to them, its even cheaper that way.
05-10-11, 12:33 AM
#4
I got a ticket for painting my own bumper in cali =P. Your state might be easier, but in cali were limited to how much emissions or something we give out. Pretty simple task, just need a little tent to keep out dust . and make sure the light is even or u might think the color is off =P
05-10-11, 07:58 AM
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
I got a ticket for painting my own bumper in cali =P. Your state might be easier, but in cali were limited to how much emissions or something we give out. Pretty simple task, just need a little tent to keep out dust . and make sure the light is even or u might think the color is off =P
i would plan on painting it indoors in a garage...
05-10-11, 08:00 AM
#6
Driver
Thread Starter
I don't have any paint experience at all, but it seems that the hardest part would be color matching it so you have a uniform shade of color from your rear quarter panels/trunk to your bumper. The actual installation shouldn't be too bad. Don't know if sensors are attached or not.
05-10-11, 08:42 AM
#7
Moderator
You should be able to order paint from parts or form body shop - I suggest you take the bumper to a body shop and let them paint and clear coat it for you..
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05-10-11, 12:46 PM
#12
Trust me. Pay a professional to do it. I use to work at body shop (parts not actual body repair). There is skill involved. There several steps involved. Plus, dealers don't sell paint like that. It's mixed at the body shop.
05-10-11, 01:12 PM
#14
Driver School Candidate
Bumper $400
Paint/clear $200 w/hardner and reducers
Remove /install bumper and sensors $100
Refinish $100
Replace chrome trim $50
Misc materials 50
Off my head your looking at $800-900 is probably their break down. I'm sure their profit is a higher but you get the idea. Everything adds up fast.
Is it worth the trouble to save a few hundred? If u have the skill to Paint oem quality and the equipment then it may be worth it. I use to paint cars and I learned it's cheaper to pay someone. If u can care less about how your bumper looks u can buy the bumper 400
rattle can the finish with paint and clear for an additional 50 bucks, replace the chrome trim 50 total cost us only 600. Then it comes down to your rattle can skills. I painted many things with rattle can and very successful but painting with a can takes more practice and experience.
So in retrospect it's cheaper to DIY but one must have skills or good hand eye. I'm sure u can get a slightly better deal but remember there are many ways to cut corners on your car that u won't see but in the long run will be visible and may cost an additional refinish costing u even more! Do it right the first time.
Paint/clear $200 w/hardner and reducers
Remove /install bumper and sensors $100
Refinish $100
Replace chrome trim $50
Misc materials 50
Off my head your looking at $800-900 is probably their break down. I'm sure their profit is a higher but you get the idea. Everything adds up fast.
Is it worth the trouble to save a few hundred? If u have the skill to Paint oem quality and the equipment then it may be worth it. I use to paint cars and I learned it's cheaper to pay someone. If u can care less about how your bumper looks u can buy the bumper 400
rattle can the finish with paint and clear for an additional 50 bucks, replace the chrome trim 50 total cost us only 600. Then it comes down to your rattle can skills. I painted many things with rattle can and very successful but painting with a can takes more practice and experience.
So in retrospect it's cheaper to DIY but one must have skills or good hand eye. I'm sure u can get a slightly better deal but remember there are many ways to cut corners on your car that u won't see but in the long run will be visible and may cost an additional refinish costing u even more! Do it right the first time.
05-10-11, 02:04 PM
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
i guess nobody wanted to see the potential train wreck of a bumper i would have worked on... i was going to borrow my friend's compressor and spray gun and would have bought all the supplies and reused the current chrome trim... my only issue would have been getting the bumper off without damaging anything and getting the paint job to look respectable... my guesstimate would be that it'd cost me $600...
hearing all the warning signs and pitfalls, i think i'll just cough up the extra $500 or so and have a pro do the whole thing... good thing i put this out there or i really could have messed things up (or wasted several hundred for no reason)...
thanks for all the replies...
hearing all the warning signs and pitfalls, i think i'll just cough up the extra $500 or so and have a pro do the whole thing... good thing i put this out there or i really could have messed things up (or wasted several hundred for no reason)...
thanks for all the replies...