Curb Rash on Lip
 

About a month ago I pulled into a parking spot and yep - went a bit too far. My first mishap in a year of ownership. The result is not unlike the other posts here: the lip has a number of scratches mostly underneath with some paint damage on one of the fang-like points. Running my finger across the damaged area, I can feel that the curb really roughed-up the surface much more than I expected. It's not just superficial paint scratches, but it's also not like many of the reports here of cracked/broken lips, thankfully.

I plan to go to my body shop tomorrow for an estimate to fix. I don't want to replace the entire bumper, I am hoping to hear that they can smooth-out the surface and do a spot repair on the paint.

Just so I know my options, have any of you folks tackled this repair yourselves? If so, did you use OEM paint from the dealer or from another online source?

I am also looking into buying a lip to avoid a repeat performance - something that is minimal in appearance. Any suggestions on this front as well?

Can you see the damage if you aren't under the car? If the answer is no, then save the money and don't get it repaired.

The only thing a lip is likely to do, is make it easier to scrape on things. So, have fun with that.

Hey Cole,
Yes - if you look at the front of the car from a couple of steps back (so you are not 100% looking down from above the bumper) you can see the scratches - especially the one on the point/fang. I saw the same comment in similar posts and I would definitely let it go if I had to get under the car to see them.

Regarding the lip, I have read from other posters that they use it to protect the finish. I def agree that it will be easier to hit things, but I am now even more aware of my front-end location when parking. I still might consider one.

Did the same thing in the first month of ownership. Backed into every spot since.

As for the repairs I just used touch up plant since it's on the bottom and you can't see it until you get on your knees.

In short, I say forget about it. You just reminded me that I rashed it after a year of it happening too. Completely forgot about it. Don't waste your money

Can you post some pictures when ever you get a chance?

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Touch it up if it makes you feel better, but it will probably happen again. It's plastic. Can't see it anyway.

As to keep with tradition... TOTALED!!

haha but in all seriousness I wouldn't worry about it unless your car is a show car. The $$$ to fix something that small is not worth it. As others have said touch up paint if it makes you feel any better.

As is of course the tradition in canada:

As is tradition - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFCd4ZOTVg4

LMAO!!!! Hahahaha!! I really need to start watching that show again! Thanks for sharing hahaha

Will someone PLEASE contact Scion/Toyota/Subaru...


Tell them this car desperately begs for a FRONT camera, which should have been put there FIRST, before even thinking of the REAR camera which began on 2016 models.


To:wireman957

I'd say it possibly IS rocket science...I've owned about 60 cars/trucks in my lifetime. Never a car before which required so much attention to just where the front of the car is, attempting to park, as this car does.


NHTSA requires rear visibility cameras on vehicles manufactured on or after May 1, 2018.

The rear camera is a result of Federal safety mandates. Regarding a front camera, easily enough installed on your own and would only increase the price of the car if it was manufacturer-installed. In addition, I think part of driving any vehicle is to know where you sit relative to potential obstructions. In other words, it's kinda up to the driver to know where the nose of his car is. You are generally facing forward when you drive, after all. If in doubt, pull up short, get out and see how much room you have left in front of you. It ain't rocket science.

This^
Not the car's fault if you can't figure out where the front of it ends. Must be tough driving in traffic if you are not sure how close you are to the car in front of you. Curbs are no different, just lower.

I had a similar issue where I scraped my front bumper on a sharp enough incline. On stock suspension.

I cringed at the scratches, but they weren't visible unless under the car. I let them be for now, since they can easily be touched up.

Thanks guys. I'll try to post some pix.

Regarding my questions in the OP:

- I just bought some OEM base color and clear coat. I am expecting the price to repair at my body shop to be beyond what I want to spend on this, so I may tackle it myself.

- I still may buy a lip. Any recommendations?