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General Scratched Bumper! In need of advice

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General Scratched Bumper! In need of advice

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PurpleFiatGirl

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Hello, I'm a new member of the forum and am in need of some help if possible :)

I've had my Fiat 500 Pop in Chillout Purple since July this year. Up until now I have not had any problems with scratches or anything, however last night after working a long shift I reversed into my drive and... scraped my bumper off of the harling on the wall of the house. I was trying to avoid my mum's car (it is a funny shaped drive) and ended up scraping the rear bumper on the bay window's harling, resulting in a rather nasty scratch (I will try my best to post a photo). I am gutted that I've managed to do this, however just need to accept that it has happened and do my best to get it repaired.

The problem is, I don't know what the best solution is to do this. The scratch is rough to the touch and so I don't think that T Cut will work, and I'm not sure if it will work out cheaper to replace the whole bumper or to get the scratch fixed at a garage (I don't know how much either will cost roughly as I am new to having a car etc!). Also, I don't know if Chillout Purple is a hard colour to find in terms of going to a local garage vs. Arnold Clark etc. I had to get a chip in the paintwork fixed by Arnold Clark previously (it was there when I got the car) and so I know that they can easily get the right paint for the job.

Basically, has anyone had this problem before? And if so, how did you fix it? And suggestions would be much appreciated! :)
 

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I'd suggest getting a mobile smart repair company in like Chipsaway. That certainly looks like it will need a lot more than T Cut but if it is limited to one panel then it might not cost too much at all.

Try to get a local recommendation. Where are you based?

PS What is a harling?
 
Lime harling is the most effective method of weatherproofing solid masonry walls. Many of Scotland’s historic buildings were originally coated externally with lime renders or harling and finished in limewash to form a protective and decorative finish.
 
PurpleFiatGirl said:
Hello, I'm a new member of the forum and am in need of some help if possible :)

I've had my Fiat 500 Pop in Chillout Purple since July this year. Up until now I have not had any problems with scratches or anything, however last night after working a long shift I reversed into my drive and... scraped my bumper off of the harling on the wall of the house. I was trying to avoid my mum's car (it is a funny shaped drive) and ended up scraping the rear bumper on the bay window's harling, resulting in a rather nasty scratch (I will try my best to post a photo). I am gutted that I've managed to do this, however just need to accept that it has happened and do my best to get it repaired.

The problem is, I don't know what the best solution is to do this. The scratch is rough to the touch and so I don't think that T Cut will work, and I'm not sure if it will work out cheaper to replace the whole bumper or to get the scratch fixed at a garage (I don't know how much either will cost roughly as I am new to having a car etc!). Also, I don't know if Chillout Purple is a hard colour to find in terms of going to a local garage vs. Arnold Clark etc. I had to get a chip in the paintwork fixed by Arnold Clark previously (it was there when I got the car) and so I know that they can easily get the right paint for the job.

Basically, has anyone had this problem before? And if so, how did you fix it? And suggestions would be much appreciated! :)
Click to expand...


Just as robin said!
Mind you, that part of the bumper is plastic so I would probably leave it like that = )
 
Thanks for the replies :) I'm going to look into getting some prices from local garages and the mobile repair companies as mentioned, hopefully it will not cost a fortune! I'm tempted to leave it but I'm a bit OCD about things like that and would end up getting it fixed at some point! I'm also financing the car so need it to be in good condition (n)
 
I remember the days when bumpers actually were bumpers, they protected the car from damage, and were sturdy and fixable with minor bending and banging.

Can't really see how wrapping cars in swathes of painted plastic that needs expensive repairs is actually seen as progress, but there we are.... :rolleyes:
 
At the moment you can't get chillout purple from Fiat as a rattle can but I do have the code at home if you want it made up. I'll post it tonight.
 
RobinPJ said:
I'd suggest getting a mobile smart repair company in like Chipsaway. That certainly looks like it will need a lot more than T Cut but if it is limited to one panel then it might not cost too much at all.

Try to get a local recommendation. Where are you based?

PS What is a harling?
Click to expand...

I have used Chipsaway on an Audi and a Merc. and they did an excellent job. Also some of the mobile guys do a good job, but I would advise using these on recommendation only.
 
bluejohn125 said:
I remember the days when bumpers actually were bumpers, they protected the car from damage, and were sturdy and fixable with minor bending and banging.

Can't really see how wrapping cars in swathes of painted plastic that needs expensive repairs is actually seen as progress, but there we are.... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Lol - was kinda difficult to fill, sand, and repaint a chrome bumper. I'd say it's progress :)

A SMART repair is best (small to medium area repair techniques, which includes respraying and blending techniques).

A DIY option is to clean the area with laundry detergent and a Scotchbrite pad to remove any paint transfer, dry it, and fill in the scratches with touch up paint (brush, not spray, as spraying and blending is much harder to do properly and tends to spread the problem over a large area), building up the paint in several applications. Then wet-sand with 800 and 2000 grit sandpaper on a block or wooden stick, and finally polish with T-cut. Works best on flat colours and requires care in the sanding and polishing stages, but would undoubtedly make the damage less noticeable.

-Alex
 
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