Bumper Replace or Repair? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

IROC'D · 01-28-2010, 11:55 AM

I made a stupid mistake and backed into my husband's truck.I wasn't going that fast, but it's got a small crack in the bumper. I got some estimates to fix it. The dealership body shop wants to replace it and the other 2 want to repair it. One of the guys said he can repair it with 3M. Can someone explain what that process is? Any advice on whether I should have it repaired or go ahead and replace the whole thing?

DangerZL1 · 01-28-2010, 12:28 PM

Can you let us know $ of the estimates? I'm assuming you're paying for this out of your pocket vs claiming in on insurance. Replacing it is obviously the best option. The entire bumper is going to require a repaint anyway. If you decide on the repair option, make sure they guarantee you won't be able to see the repaired area. I believe it is a 2-part epoxy system made for plastic bumpers.

IROC'D · 01-28-2010, 01:25 PM

$1147 for the replacement, $805 and $881 for repair. insurance company adjuster figured $1131 to repair. I am undecided on whether to pay out of pocket or claim it on my insurance.

Chris@glimmerglass · 01-29-2010, 04:34 PM

Do not repair it. I have seen repairs on these style (I call them polywhateveryoucallit) bumpers and they always end up a mess. I would just have it replaced. Your car is new enough that there will not be faded paint to worry about blending, etc. Just make sure you get a very good recommendation for a body shop as not all are created equal.

BRITCAM5 · 02-01-2010, 12:34 AM

Hi! Sorry to hear about your Camaro as I got one just like it! Well I work for an insurance company and I can tell you if you have contacted your insurance company already and by the sounds of things you have I would say definitely let them replace the whole bumper. It is already been recorded on your driving record as an at fault accident so you might as well let them pay to fix it now! Hope this helps!

*TAG UR IT* · 02-01-2010, 02:21 AM

replace....my opinion.

sav1 · 02-01-2010, 08:59 PM

Make sure they replace it with an OEM bumper, not aftermarket garbage. Aftermarkets never fit right, and you'll have gaps.

Silver Ice · 02-02-2010, 07:48 AM

Replace it for the extra 300.00 its more than woth it IMO

2010 SSRS · 02-02-2010, 07:49 AM

Replace it.

DetailAddict · 02-02-2010, 02:18 PM

i would replace it... have had repair done in the past... depending on the shop and workmanship... it could end up to be a major eye sore...

promod55 · 02-02-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sav1

Make sure they replace it with an OEM bumper, not aftermarket garbage. Aftermarkets never fit right, and you'll have gaps.

Hard to find aftermarket parts on such a vehicle(body panels)

johndawg · 02-02-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IROC'D

$1147 for the replacement, $805 and $881 for repair. insurance company adjuster figured $1131 to repair. I am undecided on whether to pay out of pocket or claim it on my insurance.

Someone swiped my car in the parking lot at work and of course they didn't own up to it... So, I'm stuck with trying to get this thing fixed. Mine has a small crack about an inch long and the paint is fried!

So, I called the local dealerships to get prices on bumpers. I was quoted $449 and $470. The bumper comes primed and ready to paint. One of the dealerships offered to paint and install the bumper for $475.

I've met a few guys that think they can fix it for around $500 to $650.

I am not sure what I want to do, but I would dig a bit more if I were you. It really depends on how bad the damage is... I think mine can be fixed and that's probably the direction I'll go.

sav1 · 02-03-2010, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by promod55

Hard to find aftermarket parts on such a vehicle(body panels)

true.. but it may be just as hard getting one from GM these days

Blue Angel · 02-06-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IROC'D

I made a stupid mistake and backed into my husband's truck.I wasn't going that fast, but it's got a small crack in the bumper. I got some estimates to fix it. The dealership body shop wants to replace it and the other 2 want to repair it. One of the guys said he can repair it with 3M. Can someone explain what that process is? Any advice on whether I should have it repaired or go ahead and replace the whole thing?

My wife did nearly the same thing today. Did you get yours replaced yet? How did it work out? Was the dealership able to get a bumper in a reasonable time frame?

01-28-2010, 11:55 AM	#1
IROC'D Momma's Happy.... Drives: 2SS,M6,Summit White, gray int Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TX Posts: 204 View My Garage	Bumper Replace or Repair? I made a stupid mistake and backed into my husband's truck.I wasn't going that fast, but it's got a small crack in the bumper. I got some estimates to fix it. The dealership body shop wants to replace it and the other 2 want to repair it. One of the guys said he can repair it with 3M. Can someone explain what that process is? Any advice on whether I should have it repaired or go ahead and replace the whole thing? __________________ 2010 2SS Ordered 7/20/09 Delivered 10/1/2009!!!!!

01-28-2010, 01:25 PM	#3
IROC'D Momma's Happy.... Drives: 2SS,M6,Summit White, gray int Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TX Posts: 204 View My Garage	$1147 for the replacement, $805 and $881 for repair. insurance company adjuster figured $1131 to repair. I am undecided on whether to pay out of pocket or claim it on my insurance. __________________ 2010 2SS Ordered 7/20/09 Delivered 10/1/2009!!!!!

01-29-2010, 04:34 PM	#4
Chris@glimmerglass Drives: 2001 S10, 2002 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 207	Do not repair it. I have seen repairs on these style (I call them polywhateveryoucallit) bumpers and they always end up a mess. I would just have it replaced. Your car is new enough that there will not be faded paint to worry about blending, etc. Just make sure you get a very good recommendation for a body shop as not all are created equal. __________________ www.glimmerglassdetailing.com Enter c0up0n c0d3 camaro5 to save some cash on each purchase View just a few of the brands we carry, here Find out what our customers are saying about us

02-01-2010, 08:59 PM	#7
sav1 Drives: 2009 Corvette Z06 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 556	Make sure they replace it with an OEM bumper, not aftermarket garbage. Aftermarkets never fit right, and you'll have gaps. __________________ "What Do I Feel When I Kill A Terrorist? A Little Recoil"

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Bumper Removal and Oracle LED Headlight and Foglight install	klove	Camaro DIY & HOW-TO instructions & discussions	113	10-17-2012 01:12 PM
SS Prototype Bumper or Original Bumper (Bumpergate has begun)	Fandango	Cosmetics and Lighting Modification Discussions	68	08-26-2010 01:06 AM
Will my bumper to bumper cover GFX?	kauffjd3	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	6	01-09-2010 12:19 PM
Replace Rear Bumper with Concept Look A Like?	JJSoCrazy	Cosmetics and Lighting Modification Discussions	9	10-30-2009 10:05 AM
Whats better looking, the RS or SS bumper?	ihc95	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	158	03-23-2009 04:32 PM

01-28-2010, 12:28 PM	#2
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,935	Can you let us know $ of the estimates? I'm assuming you're paying for this out of your pocket vs claiming in on insurance. Replacing it is obviously the best option. The entire bumper is going to require a repaint anyway. If you decide on the repair option, make sure they guarantee you won't be able to see the repaired area. I believe it is a 2-part epoxy system made for plastic bumpers.

02-01-2010, 12:34 AM	#5
BRITCAM5 Drives: 2010 WHITE CAMARO 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: WINDERMERE FL Posts: 169 View My Garage	Hi! Sorry to hear about your Camaro as I got one just like it! Well I work for an insurance company and I can tell you if you have contacted your insurance company already and by the sounds of things you have I would say definitely let them replace the whole bumper. It is already been recorded on your driving record as an at fault accident so you might as well let them pay to fix it now! Hope this helps!

02-01-2010, 02:21 AM	#6
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,558 View My Garage	replace....my opinion.

02-02-2010, 07:48 AM	#8
Silver Ice Drives: 2010 Camaro 2ss-rs Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: RI Posts: 845 View My Garage	Replace it for the extra 300.00 its more than woth it IMO

02-02-2010, 07:49 AM	#9
2010 SSRS Drives: 3 V8 Camaros Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Ocean State Posts: 111,187 View My Garage	Replace it.

02-02-2010, 02:18 PM	#10
DetailAddict Drives: . Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 461	i would replace it... have had repair done in the past... depending on the shop and workmanship... it could end up to be a major eye sore...