Some **** has driven into my car and left a small but visible dent. I say dent, but it's more of a bubble and some of the blue paint has been removed.

Could anyone advise as to the best way of going about getting the bumper replaced as cheaply as possible?

I know it would be 'easier' to paint over but I want the car to be in as new condition.

Is the bumper still aligned correctly?

If it is I'd just say get a body shop to repair the bumper. If its not much of a dent then the primer might fill it or just fill it.

I've had a bodyshop look at it and they don't reckon it's safe to attempt. It would apparently involve heating up the plastic and they think I would end up with a concaved patch as opposed to a bubble.

Part price is

For

One part only apparently unless the guy hasn't a clue. Will have to check around.

A word of warning -

I have a mate who is the local Skoda approved repairer, if at all possible they do not touch Fabia vRS rear bumpers as they are such a pain in the ****. They are a two part bumper, the normal bumper plus an outer skin bonded over the outside. The problem lies in getting the outer skin stretched over and bonded.

I think they have perfected a method but they don't really like doing them.

Why are you trying to do it on the cheap if it's not your fault?

I 'discovered' it but have no idea who did it, ergo I have to foot the bill.

Looking at the car, the lower skirt is fine so could I just purchase the normal bumper piece, have it sprayed and have my old skirt attached to it? Would this still be a pain in the ****?

Inicidentally, where is your mate based Stu? I might have a go at ruining his week!

Sorry I mistakenly thought you'd got the fecker who did it.

I'm pretty sure they are 'once only', one is bonded to the other - permanantly.

ah ... bummer.

So, I need to buy two parts then. Do you think I could try your mate for a cheeky cash deal on a respray and fit?

Other than that, I need to start approaching other local bodyshops to give it a go.

I will ask but I don't want to pass on details until I have spoken to him.

of course.

A couple of pics for reference ...

I must admit, I was a little disappointed that the bodyshop I did visit advised against them having a go. I thought heating it up and popping it back in would have been the easiest option. Then again, what do I know!?!?!?!

Use chipsaway. they come to you and do a very good job. I used them when somebody did much worse damage to my wifes front bumper. Cost around

Look on ebay, vrs rear bumpers pop up al the time, i got one for

Chips away are brilliant and cheap. They will fix this to perfection

Erm.....

I was trying to figure how TF anyone could leave a raised blob if they clobbered it.... Is there a bumper fixing directly behind that part of the bumper? Is there anything else moderately pointy behind it that the bumper could have moulded itself around during the collision?

J.

yes, that's what i thought.

Apparently, the bumper has wrapped itself around the hard shell or something underneath. It confused me a little as well.:confused:

I shall try chips away but will they be able to sort 'bubbles' as opposed to 'dents'?!!?!?

I've used Chips Away before and I think it's all down to the operator, ask to see some previous work beforehand!

I had a small scratch repaired on a Trophy Blue MGZR and although you couldn't tell once it was polished, every time I washed it you could see where the 'dry' lacquer had been applied (they use a dry paint system, rather than conventional 'wet' paint).

I have seen other Chips Away work though that has been perfect.

I've used Chips Away before and I think it's all down to the operator, ask to see some previous work beforehand!

I had a small scratch repaired on a Trophy Blue MGZR and although you couldn't tell once it was polished, every time I washed it you could see where the 'dry' lacquer had been applied (they use a dry paint system, rather than conventional 'wet' paint).

I have seen other Chips Away work though that has been perfect.

AHHHH!!!! Don't say that!!! Youi'lll put me off. How can I see previous work? Surely they can't bring a few cars round? Pictures don't mean anything either. I'll see what they say. If they say, "yeh it'll be fine" and then it turns out to be rubbish, I won't pay them! If they're not sure, I won't do it. Simple! Cheers

I've spoken to him this morning.

I'll PM you the contact details.

cheers.

Did you look at the pics? Am I being OTT? Would you just do a touch up job on it?

A word of warning -

I have a mate who is the local Skoda approved repairer, if at all possible they do not touch Fabia vRS rear bumpers as they are such a pain in the ****. They are a two part bumper, the normal bumper plus an outer skin bonded over the outside. The problem lies in getting the outer skin stretched over and bonded.

The guy who repaired mine years ago said the same thing. He ended up with 2 bumpers. The first he sent back as he couldnt get it spot on. Even the one I have now doesnt fit properly with the boot lid. Have a spare in the garage that needs painting. Hoping that'll fit better.

Yes I did look at the pictures and TBH I can't think of anything behind there that would cause it to push out. Maybe it's been pushed in further than you think and that is some sort of stretch mark.

I don't think he has a problem with fitting the bumpers it's the bonding of the lower skirt.

It must be quite bendy then, if it's gone right in and then come out again. I wish I had caught the so and so so I could have just had their insurnace!

Well Chips away will be round in a bit and I'm off to Skoda and Stu's mate this afternoon.

I'm having problems tracking down the relevant part numbers at the moment though so would appreciate it if any with access to the relevant database could post them up for me?

I'll be able to confirm them with Skoda later on so it's only worth posting if somebody has them ' to hand' as it were.

Cheers

Just had another look at devonutopia's link to the ebay bumper in the for sale section. I thought it was just the lower skirt but I think it may have been the whole bumper. The auction ended at