Bumper bar - to replair or to replace?

[spawn]

Hi People, need your opinion on this. my CJ bumper bar has some minor damage on the lower center part and the paint has chip off cause by me parking into a high concrete/metal parking barrier. Was told that the damage can be fixed with fillers and the best quotes to repair and repaint is $600 while to replace the whole bumper bar and repaint will cost about $1k. What would you recommend?

Will repairing the minor damage with filler be any good and will it break off in the future?

Anyone with experience? Thanks.

[just SC]

Are planning to mod your car?
If so think its a good chance to change and get a new one.
Just my thoughts.

[stewy]

Pictures of the said damage might help people to gauge the severity

[ofey]

It depends on what you're looking to do with your car.

Paying to replace it is a waste of money if you're not happy with the bumper bar to begin with.

But it also depends on how deep your pockets are.

If you're going to mod and can afford it, do it.

Else, do the cheapest repair possible. A$600 for a fill, sand and paint sounds mighty reasonable.

[aspir3]

Eric we really needs good pictures to be able to tell.

It can often be a decision on how fussy you are.

Most people just leave the bumper marks as they will only get more. I myself have a heart attack if a piece of dust lands on my car. I would definitely replace the bar with a new one if the damage caused the bar to go out of shape.

[just SC]

Or you can leave the damage alone.
I had it awesome. I dented my rear and front bumper due to stupidity and anger. 1 year later within a week, a dude merged into my front side and some dude crashed into my backside when I was stopped at a red light.
So front and back replaced for free!!!

[Mizta B]

Erik
Depending on severity of the damage the bars can be plastic welded then filled sanded and repainted
Post some pics so we can assess it better for you
Cheers Chris.

[spawn]

Damage is at the bottom


By leeerik at 2011-03-08

I am not sure but I think the paint warp is a result of the same minor run it with the concrete. Not sure how long before it will peel off....

By leeerik at 2011-03-08

I dont think I will modify the bumper bar for now, a little tight in the hip pocket. I wanted to initially get a front strut, then rims, although cosmetic I think this needs some love first....

[just SC]

To be honest the damage aint that bad. Im still struggling to see it.
I think you can cover the bottom one if you planning to get a v-lip.

The paint warp looks like a scratch to me.

Now Im not sure if its worth 600 to fix that up.
Sounded good a first because I thought the damage was worst.

[spawn]

To be honest the damage aint that bad. Im still struggling to see it.
I think you can cover the bottom one if you planning to get a v-lip.

The paint warp looks like a scratch to me.

Now Im not sure if its worth 600 to fix that up.
Sounded good a first because I thought the damage was worst.

Yeah hard to tell from afar, if you see the bottom bumper bar, there is an area with a different shade of silver. This is where the damage is, a bit out of shape. I painted it because the paint came off and it was all white so when out to the autoshop but couldnt find the right shade of silver...

The side looks like a scratch but the paint has stretch and has some dirt in it. Am very afraid to touch it as it looks like it will come off anytime soon.....

Maybe I am just too paranoid about the cosmetic looks of the car.

Still considering whether the strut bar comes first or air dam....

[dannyboi]

What's the risk of you driving into an obstacle again?

I scraped the bottom of my bumper by going into a high kerb, but I was able to use some touch-up paint. If it was $100 to fix, then why not, but at $600 that's a big ask.