1996targa

It seems that someone shot my rear bumber with a BB gun and chipped off about a 3/4 dime's area worth of paint *argh!*. The actual bumper material does not seem to have been damaged or chipped, but the area of damage shows a little black - beneath the Polar Silver paint. The damaged area is near the rear license plate.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Can anyone recommend a good body shop here? I heard of Dawdiak in SF. Are they any good? I am more concerned about poor quality job, than higher price.

I also have a few question regarding this seemingly small repair job:

1. Given that the bumper material does not seem damaged - only chipped paint, is it cheaper to strip the old paint from the existing bumper and re-paint it OR to buy a new un-painted bumper and have it painted. If the former, does all the paint on the bunmper need to be stripped or only from the damaged area?

2. Do I need to request official Porsche Polar Silver paint? Is there a risk of the paint shop using generic Polar Silver paint (if there is such a thing)?

3. How well can Polar Silver paint be matched (newly painted rear bumper with old paint on rest of car). The paint quality of the rest of my car is almost like new and the car has always been stored in-doors.

3. Does 1996 Polar Silver 993s have clear coat? How can I tell?

4. How much will this job likely cost?

5. What should I watch out for in terms of this repair job? Any technical challenges in removing the rear bumper?

Thanks!

kkim

Contact your insurance company and let them decide how to proceed. Your damage is covered by your insurance. (I'm assuming you're fully insured???)

I'll let others closer to you answer the "where to take it" part.

Good luck getting a perfect match on Polar Silver... it's a very difficult color to match. Be sure to use a painter experienced in painting Porsches.

Good luck... let us know how it turns out.

1996targa

kkim,

Thanks for heads up on matching Polar Silver. Yes, I am insured but my deductible is $1k. Will this cost over that deductible?

kkim

That would depend on if your insurance decides to replace the bumper or just have it resprayed. In any event, I would contact your insurance company and see what they say.

Check out this thread for a happy ending.

Good luck



https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/217226-should-i-switch-to-a-turbo-front-bumper-a-little-help-from-my-friends.html

Mark in Baltimore

It's much cheaper to repair than to replace.

seege

A good quality bumper respray shouldn't be much more than $700 or $800. I would never turn in a claim that small even with a low deductible , but then I like $1000 deductibles as well - keeps rates down.

ceboyd

..but wouldn't the bbgun damage be covered under (I forget what it's called).... same as hail damage? ...meaning it doesn't count against your rates.. and often has a different deductable... for example, when I needed a new windshield due to a rock causing it to crack, I had zero deductable and got it fixed 100% free.. with no insurance rate hikes... ...then 2 years later got hail damage and that got fixed free as well... (yet my accident deductable is $500)

kkim

Comprehensive coverage

kbonnel

Unless the damage is going to cost a lot more than your deductible, I would stay clear of the insurance company. I am always concerned that using ones insurance coverage for noncritical things could come back to bite you. (it is really depressing to think about) After my home was broken into, I had a heck of a time with my insurance company, and I only put in a claim due to the value of the items stolen.

As for your situation, this would most likely fall under your comprehensive coverage, so check what your deductible is on that. According to my insurance company (Allstate), comprehensive claims do not affect ones rates, but I don't believe them .

kimo

amfp

My .002 cents, if it is such a small area near the license plate, I wonder if you or good body shop can make minor repair without doing bumper. If it is a good body shop that does high end cars they can match Artic Silver that is clear coated.

Lastly, I would not report a small claim, like 1,000. to any insurance company. You get away normally with one strike, but if there is an additional claim, and/or traffic ticket, it could get to be challenging. May want to check with your agent before filing claim.

Jastx

There is a local guy here who does amazing touch ups of small areas. There is probably someone like that in your area too. Ask a couple of car dealerships. They all use guys like this. Might cost you $50.

ceboyd

State Farm and AAA Insurance also told me 'comprehensive' does not affect rates.... but collision will...

Caveman

You guys must have the equivalent of the specialists who use model spray guns and can do very good small repairs. Theya re often called something like Chip Master, Debts Away, etc. You could ask them first. If you have to get a repsray of the bumper make sure it's a high-end shop that can match the way your paint has been applied.

Good luck!

Cheers,

David

1996targa

Thanks for all your response...very helpful! I will call my insurance company to clarify their stance on comprehensize claims re: affecting insurance premium. My gut tells me that if the fix costs under $1000, then I will just pay for it myself.

My bigger concern at this point is finding the right (high-end) body shop in the San Franciscio Bay Area that is familiar with Porsche paints. I much prefer to pay a bit more $ for quality - especially someone who can macth Polar Silver well. Any suggestions on good body shops? How about Dawydiak in San Francisco? I've seen their advertisment in Excellence magazine.