MBWorld.org Forums - View Single Post - rear bumper repaint question

j-mo · 05-19-2009, 12:57 PM

Hello,
I wanted to get some thoughts from the experts here. Last week I was sitting in traffic and some lady tapped my bumper. She rolled up from idle speed - probably spacing out. We pulled over, examined and no damage whatsoever. Like a fool I did not take her info (lesson learned there).
On Sunday I go to open the trunk and notice some paint peeling. It is on the top of the bumper where it meets where the trunk closes, left side.
My thinking is the impact flexed the bumper which started some cracking that I did not catch and it's gotten worse ever since. I know my bumper was repaired/replaced at one time by the previous owner I'm guessing it was repainted without any "flex additive." I've just actually learned about flex additive. I believe it is used from the factory but a lot of body shops do not use by default. It is added to the paint so that platic parts can flex and the paint won't crack.
Since I will be getting this repainted soon I had a few questions.

One other thing. I called MB of Chicago to see where they have bodywork done. Gold Coast Auto Body. I stopped there for a quick estimate. Quoted me $500-525. They need the car 2 to 3 days to remove and sand the bumper. Couple of questions?

1. Does that sound fair?
2. Any better recommendations? IE - new bumper, remove and bring in myself etc.
3. Comments on the flex additive. Am I correct and does MB use from the factory.

Thanks for any info!!

05-19-2009, 12:57 PM	#1
j-mo Almost a Member! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago, IL. Posts: 53 Drives: 2002 CLK55 AMG, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang	rear bumper repaint question - $500+ Hello, I wanted to get some thoughts from the experts here. Last week I was sitting in traffic and some lady tapped my bumper. She rolled up from idle speed - probably spacing out. We pulled over, examined and no damage whatsoever. Like a fool I did not take her info (lesson learned there). On Sunday I go to open the trunk and notice some paint peeling. It is on the top of the bumper where it meets where the trunk closes, left side. My thinking is the impact flexed the bumper which started some cracking that I did not catch and it's gotten worse ever since. I know my bumper was repaired/replaced at one time by the previous owner I'm guessing it was repainted without any "flex additive." I've just actually learned about flex additive. I believe it is used from the factory but a lot of body shops do not use by default. It is added to the paint so that platic parts can flex and the paint won't crack. Since I will be getting this repainted soon I had a few questions. One other thing. I called MB of Chicago to see where they have bodywork done. Gold Coast Auto Body. I stopped there for a quick estimate. Quoted me $500-525. They need the car 2 to 3 days to remove and sand the bumper. Couple of questions? 1. Does that sound fair? 2. Any better recommendations? IE - new bumper, remove and bring in myself etc. 3. Comments on the flex additive. Am I correct and does MB use from the factory. Thanks for any info!!