430 vs curb = -$500

Ok the curb won but with only minor damage, through the clear bra and paint. One 1/8 of an inch away and I would have missed it. Going in Monday for paint. I have been thinking about painting the front air scoops and engine vents black to match the car. This would be the ideal time since it is in for paint. I know the front scoops are rock magnets so there will chipping issues. Already inhaled a bird. I don't know if engine heat will be a problem for the vents. I'm also concerned about value and resale. Comments please.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

If you have to ask then you already know the answer.

 

Resale = keep it as original as possible.

BTDT with a curb when I just got my Bella..

 

My 430 has that exact same scrape--but on both sides. I will fix it!

 

Repaint by all means (it's a 430 not a GTO), but keep original colors.

 

Most bumpers get repainted at some point. No big deal. Most people are more concerned with original paint on the metal panels.

 

They can repair the scratch and blend the paint very easily - don't stress. With that body line just above, you will never notice it. Just get a good shop to do it. Basically they will sand it all down, then blend the blue, then blend the clear.

Going away from stock look will likely decrease resell value since you asked.

Good luck!

 

+1 would not repaint bumper for that, spot repair.

 

I would get them to buff it out as much as possible and use some touch up - until you have some chips and need a respray on the front bumper -- which on a 430 will likely be required if driven any sort of miles.

You won't even see it on that angle and with the line above-- save your money for the eventual front respray

 

I'm in the same boat as Crazy Canuck! Let it marinate in your brain and see how you feel about it. I'd touch it up for now and wait for potential chips later on... granted you drive it often.. Depends on your protection too.. rocks EAT thru my venture film on my old 430 like it was non existent GL

 

There is no buffing it out gents - it's down to either the primer or the base plastic. Buffing will just make the non-blue area bigger unless that is transfer, which it does not appear to be in the pic.

"Touching it up" will leave very noticeable lines where the old paint meets the new and not save much money. They will still have to mix the paint and spray test panels to match. A small blend like that should be $300 or so at a good shop tops. A touch up will cost probably half that anyway ($100-150). Full respray is probably $600 or so because of the labor to remove/reinstall the bumper. Doesn't look like it needs any serious repair.

 

touch up for less than $20 works/ matches great.. Not sure their other colors tho.. Could be a cheap temporary fix.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221131937826&globalID=EBAY-US

 

Sure, and I've used that before until I can properly fix it. It wouldn't make me happy personally. There is just no way to level and blend paint without a spray gun or airbrush involved.

 

Fix it properly- that is beyond a touch up. I would not do the whole bumper re spray unless you have road damage in other places. Use the best shop you can find, they will blend the paint and you will never see the damage.

 

I have the exact same scrape on my 360, the bigger question is what do you do about the damaged clear bra? That alone must be a few hundred to have replaced, no?

 

Thanks. I am going to do the spot blend. I have to look at it everyday so I want it to be right. I don't want to wait till I sell it then fix it for the new owner. $500 is steep but the shop offered to paint the front scoops and top engine vents for $300 extra. Which was part of my original question.

 

Again, how much to repair (or replace if it can't be repaired) the clear bra?

 

I did not get an itemized quote at this time.. The clear bra was included in the $500.

 

Same exact scrape on both sides of my bumper. I'm probably going to take it one one of these days to have the front bumper rehabbed and clear bra re-installed.

 

Thanks, I figured that alone would be $300-$400...

 

For $500 including clear bra, that must be a blend....they are not even removing the bumper. To respray the bumper, that alone would be well over $1000 to remove, refinish to a high standard and reinstall. Clear bra another $300 to $500 depending on materials and prevailing labor.