Hi all,

as per this thread (with pics): https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/1st-...pe-repair.html my bumper has a couple nasty scrapes in it from a fender bender. I've decided to claim from insurance and have the bumper sanded/buffed and partially repainted/blended.

I know Honda tends to upsell a lot of stuff. What would you recommend? A reputable 3rd party bodyshop or a Honda dealers' bodyshop (which is probably a subcontractor)?

Thanks for your input!

 

The dealers in my neck of the woods generally have their own paint booths. I would venture to say a reputable paint shop can and usually will do a better job. Look also at warranty, and compare.

 

sorry, I don't fully understand your reply. I'm a real noob when it comes to bodyshops. I've never had to deal with body or paintwork. Is a paintshop similar to a bodyshop? Can a paint shop also deal with minor scraping in the plastic?

 

Honda doesn't sell preprinted body parts?

 

Body shop, paint shop...tomato, tomatoe. I refer to places that specialize in auto painting, body shops.

 

A few dealerships have their own body shops. Most to not. So when you take it in to a dealer most likely they will just sub it out of a local body shop and add a few dollars to the bill for handling the work. I suggest you find a good local body shop. Ask your insurance company who they recommend. The insurance adjuster or even your agent probably will give you the names of 2 or 3.

 

Thanks for your replies! The Honda bumper cover (called nose mask) does not come pre painted. I believe the little cover for the tow hook and the under spoiler are available pre painted.

 

I had the rear bumper damaged twice. (something magnetic about Fit fannies).

1st time Honda repaired it for about $750. The paint match was just "ok." (Ed Voyles Honda body shop)

2nd time I got quotes from Toyota (Cobb County Collision) and was surprised to see their quote was $650 and included a new Honda bumper cover. The same Honda dealer as before quoted me $750 for another repair. When I asked about this they said they made a mistake and changed the estimate to new parts; labor for the repair cost more than a new bumper cover, not including preparation and paint. They said normally the cost of a new part is more than repairing it. I got it fixed at Toyota. Better paint match this time.

I don't think there's anything magical about the dealer's body shop.

 

call 2-3 insurance companies and ask them what shop they use in the area. They tend to check up on these shops to see if they do good work and are honorable to their skill

 

Thanks for your suggestions. Here in Montreal, there are a few major brands that have different garages around town. Honda in Montreal deals mainly with a brand called CarrXpert and usually sub contract a private bodyshop to do their bodywork but one dealership (Lallier Honda) has their very own CarrXpert bodyshop "certification".

Right now I'm leaning towards that solution even if its slightly farther from my home.