Hi
So I got a dent in my chrome rear bumper exiting the highway today. Some guy didn't keep enough distance as we came to an almost complete stop.
Does anyone have any good experience getting the chrome bumper repaired. Can this be done buy a "ding doctor" or will it need to be replaced?

Carsten

PS: it is a 5inch long line/dent the center part of the bumper on a 1999 SR5

 

the dent can be fixed, but there will be a stretch mark where the dent was.

 

When I bought mine it had a good size dent in each piece of the bumper. I'm sure you realized they are very thin, so take the dented pieces off (ussually a couple of bolts) and lay the bumber on a flat hard surface with a piece of cardboard to protect it. Then get a piece of wood 2x4 about 6" to start and lay it flat on the inside of the dent and pound it with a hammer. You will have to move the wood around a bit and possibly use a smaller piece on curves, but this will help a lot. If the dent is small you will never be able to tell it was there, if it is big and it was creased the crease will slightly show, but it's better than a huge dent or lots of $.

 

Thanks for the replies
I will try to have it fixed today by a Bumper specialist, if it doesn't look nice I will have it replace and have driver who hit pay it.
Carsten

 

Now you have a perfect excuse to get that aftermarker bumper.

Hello Rockware!!!

DSP

 

If dude hit you, just have insurance pay for a new OEM bumper if that's what you want.

 

A couple things here...

1. The bumper will never look the same if you or someone else tries to pound out the dent.

2. New centerpieces go for $89 on ebay.

3. I agree with My99. Why isn't home dude paying for the fix? At the dealer this part will most likely be $$. You can use the money toward an aftermarket bumper or just use the money on an ebay bumper and pocket the rest.

 

The "dude" will have to pay, I was just wondering if this is fixable by normal dent doctors.

The center bumpers on ebay are they real OME part or some aftermarket that might no fit? The dealer quoted me $235 for nex bumper.

oh yeah I did think of gettting different bumper, though the dude will probably not pay for that

C

 

You could quote the "dude" the price that the dealer is going to charge take the money add a little and get an aftermarket one.

 

Carsten-

Check the bumper braces underneath out real carefully. You may need those also. Check out ebay and see what you can find. I see them on there all the time. I would go aftermarket, but they are $$. I think UDR is coming out with a rear bumper for the 3rd gens.

 

so I talked to a bumper repair man and he said it will have to be replaced to be fixed 100%. I called the dude who hit me who now claims he couldn't have made that dent. I said I wanted his insurance info if he doesn't want to pay out of his pocket. I will open an investigation through my insurance comp. if he doesn't give his info.
So I tried to be nice and get it fixed cheap, but if the guy still want pay me I will get the dealer to fix it and get his insurance to cover it. That I doubt is what he prefers.
C

 

Hey Carsten-
That really sucks!
At least you didn't do it on carvacre or out in borrego.
Give the guy a quote for the stock one and get the cash to use on an aftermarket one. I'm waiting for someone to hit mine too.

 

[QUOTE]At least you didn't do it on carvacre or out in borrego.
Give the guy a quote for the stock one and get the cash to use on an aftermarket one. I'm waiting for someone to hit mine too.



Me Too!!!

 

Yep I would rather have the damage from the trail knowing I did it. It makes me want to get some stronger bumper that for sure.
I will keep you posted
Carsten

 

You should be having his insurance pay for it from the get go if he doesn't show cash right then and there, at least I would. They will re-imburse you probably after their claims department adjuster figures the damage, and what you do from there is your business when you sign off on it. Go aftermarket if you'd like, I probably would if I could find a bumper i liked better than the OEM... don't go cheap ebay or anything like that if you're going for the stock look, go toyota. It may not matter today or tomorrow, but in 5 or 10 years quality will show.

 

I saw OEM parts on ebay, or so they claimed.

 

So the guy says he will pay the repair to keep it of his insurance. But he wanted to send me a check in a few days. I pressed him to either send it sooner or give me cash. He said he would try to send it sooner but hung up when I demanded cash or chasiers check. I don't really trust him and have started a claim with my insurance to track down his if he doesn't pay. I do want a stock part as an aftermarket might not line up a nicely.
What a pain this is. Thanks for the input.
Carsten

 

I hope you have witnesses, because he could easilly get out of this. I know this isnt the time for "I told you so's" but you really should call the cops no matter how minor the accident.

Again, I hope you get him to pay up. What a flake.

 

Yeah people told me to get his insurance etc. I did find out that my insurance can track his based on having his name and licence plate. He can of course change his story by then, but I hope he isn't that stupid. But I know better next time.
C

 

I have the same thing on my front bumber. I am going to have it rechromed for 250 . Dealer new one is 500