Damaged rear bumper cover

[thebrakeman]

My FIL accidently backed into our Mounty with his older Explorer. The ball on the step bumper went right thru the right-rear corner, there is a large crack all the way up to the tail-light from there, and other smaller cracks nearby. All the damage is isolated in that corner. No other damage to other components (that we know of...taillights OK, etc).

We're looking to see if there are options to use without making an insurance claim. (out of pocket cost for around the same as their deductible...do not know what that is yet).

I have 3 quotes:
1. Dealer wants about $930 for new bumper cover, new rubber step-plate, and 3-step paint job. If they reused the rubber step-plate, that would bring down to around $800. They would not repair the bumper cover.
2. Local shop also would not repair the cover. $760 for a new bumper and 2-step paint job. I need to ask them why only a 2-step. From research, the 3-stop would add nearly another hour @ $40/hr, bringing it near the same $800 as the dealer.
3. Local shop that estimated 5 hours to repair. Around $540 to repair the bumper, and 3-step paint job.

If FIL's deductible is well under $500, it's a no-brainer. Let the dealer do it.
But if he has a $500 deductible, we would consider the repair option to reduce the possibility of their premiums increasing.

So my actual question:
Would such a repair hold up and look right? Or after a year or so, is this just going to crack or start to show thru? Obviously 2 out of 3 shops told us they would not repair for that reason. Anyone had a repair like this done?

 

[MONMIX]

No.
Plastic cover repairs that are ripped or have holes are almost never reliable.

What color is your mounty? That will tell me if it is two stage or three stage paint.
If you want it to look right you need to stick with what it takes.

Also I would recommend go ahead and replace the step pad. A) it makes it MUCH easier for the tech. ( and us techs look out for each other )
2) the end result will look much better than having to be careful removing it as to not rip or warp it, and then to clean all the adhesive and reapply it smoothly so that it lays correctly.

 

[thebrakeman]

Thanks for the tips.
1. The color is the "Cashmere" (off-white, cream). It tends to sparkle well in the sun, but I wouldn't say it really changes color like they say many 3-steps will do (?).
2. The pad is held with clips. If the clips break, they can't reuse it, so they always put a new one in the quote. I may try removing it myself, so the tech doesn't have to take the time to be so cautious. I know time is money in a shop.

 

[MONMIX]

it sounds like a pearl white. Three stage.

 

[azpima67]

What is involved in a 3 step paint job?

 

[MONMIX]

I do body work not paint so I am not 100% sure but I am pretty sure in this case at least its base coat, pearl coat and then clear.

 

[Anime]

If it's just the bumper cover itself that's damaged, an inexpensive option might be just getting a used one from a salvage yard. If you get one in good shape that's the same color, you won't have to deal with the paint issue, either. I have no idea what they'd cost in your area, but I would guess you could get an entire rear bumper with the cover, complete, for less than any of the repair quotes. If you find a salvage yard that has just the cover, or will let you remove it yourself from a vehicle in their yard (practice removing yours so you know how to do it without damage to the new one), it'll obviously be even less than that.

 

[MONMIX]

salvage yard bumper covers are never in good condition.
No, not almost never. NEVER. I have seen then come in and out the door of my shop all the time. Between the guy that removes it or the guy that stores it, or the guy that delivers it bumper covers have always needed some level of TLC to look useable.

The only way junk yard bumper cover works is if you dont mind scuffs, gouges and scratches. Also getting a spot on color match is also dicey. Some factory paint colors could have as many as 12 or more variances.

 

[thebrakeman]

Salvage was the first thing we checked. Nothing in our area.
Looks like my FIL's insurance is covering without any deductible (!). So it's a no-brainer. Work order at the Lincoln dealer is in progress. They are ordering and painting the part before we even drop off the vehicle.

MINMIX and others, thanks for the tips.