06-17-2015, 01:51 PM | #1 |
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Paint scratch repair estimate
Hello,
I called a BMW service center to get an estimate of the repair for the paint scratches beneath the fog light. Their prices were way off like $760 to take down the bumper and repair or $350 to spot repair. I think this is something that can be done with less than $100. Kindly look at the pictures and let me know your opinion and whether I should only go to a BMW center or it is fine to go to a third party body shop for this minor thing. I live in LA so if any of you know a good place let me know please. Thanks |
06-17-2015, 03:12 PM | #2 |
Lucky13
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No one is going to do it for $100 so $350 probably is accurate. If you own it and it's not a lease you could probably do it yourself with OEM paint, clear coat paint and a good variety of wet sand paper. I repaired the bumper on my 2007 335 but a smaller area and did it on a 2007 X3. If you are patient and don't rush it with plenty of time for drying and wet sanding you can probably do it yourself. Paint is about $30 so all in $50-60 but it could be a 2-3 day process because it's important to let the final coat dry 24 hours. Driving it with semi wet paint will screw up the paint due to dirt, moisture etc. make sure to get some 1200-2000 wet sand paper for finishing if you do it yourself. If it was me I would try myself because if you screw it up the next person will resand it anyway.
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06-17-2015, 03:46 PM | #3 |
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For damage on the front bumper similar to yours, bent corner of the fender (without paint damage) I received two estimates for $1500 from non BMW shops. They were talking about painting the whole bumper, whole fender, and half of the hood. They said they need to "blend" the new paint job since there's no way of them matching Mineral White (they were calling it pearl white). I did'n do it and still drive like that.
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06-17-2015, 03:59 PM | #4 |
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Find an automotive trade school supply them the paint. Let them use your car as a school project.. You help the students and get a repaired car in exchange.
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06-17-2015, 04:14 PM | #5 | |
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06-17-2015, 04:23 PM | #6 | |
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It might look easy but is not. They need to refill the damages, then smooth the surface, then blend the whole bumper to look good. And materials, work and time (+ knowledge and experience) cost money. |
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06-17-2015, 05:53 PM | #7 |
Lucky13
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There are a ton of YouTube videos and on line information on how to do it. If you have to putty any spots that complicates it about 10 fold so I was just talking about sanding and painting which I did on two different plastic bumpers. If you want perfection get a professional but if you can settle for 90% better it doesn't look that complicated unless you feel like you need to putty the little depressions near the top. Even putty isn't bad if it's very small spots it just slows the process way down. Guess I've seen too many Wheeler Dealer repairs on TV.
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06-18-2015, 07:17 PM | #8 |
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i had the same scratches in the same area; the foglights. dealer gave me a under the table cash price of 250. i bought the paint stick and did it my self. it wasnt so noticable from far. but close it was. i ended up getting rear ended by my 85 year old neighbor and her insaurance paid to get the bumper repainted.
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06-22-2015, 05:48 PM | #10 |
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hit up pacific match paint, they are based in oc though. They are mobile and can go to your house. Call them and see what they can do for you, they can spot repair damages like yours.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pacific-matc...t-laguna-hills |
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06-23-2015, 07:38 AM | #11 |
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I'd go to a body shop that will show you multiple tiles for "Mineral White" and select the one that most closely matches the fender or hood color. Have the body shop remove the bumper and do the repair on the affected area. They will then paint the bumper off the car using a flex additive in the paint. After drying the bumper goes back on the car. If the color is not a PERFECT match don't worry about it. On MOST cars from the factory(any factory) the bumpers rarely match the rest of the car perfectly. Close should be good enough. I've had it done several times all with similar results. Spot repairs by bumper specialist are notoriously temporary. They last about 2 yrs. max. Do it once, do it right.
FWIW, I've been considering having my Miata front bumper re-sprayed because(from the factory) is was WAY off. Just haven't gotten around to it yet...and waiting for a few more stone chips. |
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06-24-2015, 06:12 PM | #12 | |
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Normally, the bumper should be primed with a pre-color coat that will prepare the bumper for the next color, but these days only individual orders or special manufacturers are doing it. |
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