Got in to an Accident. Any advice on how to fix my bumper?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Dbswain91, Jan 7, 2016.

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  1. Dbswain91

    Dbswain91 New Member

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    2004 Toyota Prius. There's no functional damage to the vehicle, but I'd like to find a way to repair the bumper/side panel myself (not worth bringing it to a shop/I'm too broke to afford it).

    Some options I've considered:

    - Purchase a heat gun and try and "push" the indent back out.
    - Go to a junk yard and look for a Prius bumper, try and just replace the old bumper. Problem with this is that the side panel is out of place so it might prevent me from being able to reattach the bumper. Thoughts?

    Thanks
     

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    #1 Dbswain91, Jan 7, 2016
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    #2 valde3, Jan 7, 2016
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Considering there's front fender damage, and possibly the wheel was hit too, I'd go to a good bodyshop. Do you have collision insurance?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jan 7, 2016
  4. Name

    Name Junior Member

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    There is a good chance you can reshape the bumper cover with your hands after you heat it up with a heat gun. It might look a lot better, but probably won't be perfect.
    Even if you can reshape the plastic bumper cover, you still have the dented metal fender to deal with.
    Good luck.
     
    #4 Name, Jan 7, 2016
  5. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    You should have insurance, use it!
     
    #5 KK6PD, Jan 8, 2016
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  6. Dbswain91

    Dbswain91 New Member

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    premium is too expensive /=
     
    #6 Dbswain91, Jan 10, 2016
  7. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    The fact that you asked how to fix it means you don't know how...and you're not going to learn here. It takes more than reading PriusChat to become a competent Body-Man. If you have insurance...well you already paid for it...use it. If by that statement you mean you don't have insurance...work some overtime, get a second job or live with it. Sorry.
     
    #7 frodoz737, Jan 10, 2016
  8. Dbswain91

    Dbswain91 New Member

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    Hey there. Was really pissed off by this comment so I wanted to make sure to send you the before and after picture once I completed the work. Cost me 35 bux. Took me a half an hour and I don't have to "get a second job". So yes, I did learn how to fix it here.
     

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    #8 Dbswain91, Jan 15, 2016
  9. Dbswain91

    Dbswain91 New Member

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    Thanks for the help! I did exactly as you mentioned and it worked really well. All in all cost me $35 and I think it looks great (relatively speaking)
     
    #9 Dbswain91, Jan 15, 2016
  10. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    My intent was not to piss you off or annoy you, but I thought you wanted it fixed right.
     
    #10 frodoz737, Jan 15, 2016
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Is the fender a bolt-on piece? Maybe get a body shop on that, mainly to get the paint right.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Jan 15, 2016
  12. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Yes fender is bolt on peace. That’s why I did tell on the first replay on this topic that it’s pretty easy to replace the bumper and fender. And did post links to instructions how to change them. Even getting same colored ones from junk yard would make that a lot better looking.
     
    #12 valde3, Jan 15, 2016
  13. stockdaddy

    stockdaddy Member

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    Might try a PDR shop they might be able to get it pretty close to how it looked before the accident.

    I wouldn't do it yourself cause you can make more dents/damage in the process and it really takes a lot of skill to get it to look right.
     
    #13 stockdaddy, Jan 15, 2016
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