Dilemma

I have some body damage to the corner of my rear bumper on the drivers side. Someone nailed me good, bumper dented, scratched all the way down, side reflector cracked.

I was thinking of just replacing the reflector, buffing out what I can and just getting some touch up paint and just living with it since it is my daily driver and every day there's a new scratch, ding, or chip. But replacement reflectors aren't available everywhere and cost $24 and up for a little piece of plastic. I'll have to remove the bumper cover to replace the reflector and my boyfriend doesn't want to help me do that. So I'd have to take it somewhere to be done. And every time I look at it I think its going to be harder and harder to cover up with touch up.

On the other hand I can just pay my $250 deductible and get it taken care of through my insurance and hope to get a whole new freshly painted bumper. I'll just have to buy new billet bumper inserts.

I just hate to spend my money on things I know are not worth it, specially now that I was demoted at work. But if I don't get it fixed right its going to drive me nuts every time I clean my car and get a close up of all the damage.

AHHH why do people have to nail my car on a daily basis.

Post up a pic of the damage. Are you sure the bumper cover needs to be removed for the reflector? If it does its easy to remove. There are a few of us on the board that help out, including myself. We also are doing a install day this weekend. Takes about 10 min to take the cover off.

I'm more concerned with getting the scraps and scratches covered up. Only down side of not having a basic colored car that's easy to touch up. I'll be sure to post some pics in the morning, I didn't have my camera when I was detailing my car today.

If its scratched to the base coat it should be fairly easy to wet sand and buff out. If its into the primer/sealer, then you need to paint it. If your tight on cash you can touch it up with touch up paint and then wet sand and buff it. it will not be a professional job, however iwith proper wet sand and buff it will turn out nice.

all for under $20 and a lot of elbow grease

the white smudge marks will sand and buff out. the black will not. That is in the primer/sealer, so that will need to be covered up. A little bit of touch up paint and wet sand will clean that up. Mind you touch up is single stage paint so it wont be as shiny, but it will look a lot better. otherwise you will need to go to a shop that will paint the clear coat.

Ouch, sorry to hear about the damage. I'm taking it was a hit n run?

of course, it always is. I'm beginning to think all my cars have invisible bulls eyes on them. My old cavalier was hit on a regular basis, always hit and runs, no notes etc. and now its beginning to happen with my stang