A few weeks ago because of some dumb horsing around I ran into a tree. Everything is fixed except for this, look here please:

http://www.students.uwf.edu/lad2/pics.htm

Well the body shop gave me an estimate of ~$350.00-$400.00 . I really don't have that right now. Is this something I can fix up myself, or at least make it about 50%better , or am I screwed. I don't have much paint and body experience. Thanks.

 

without any paint and body experience you can probably expect a marginal repair at best. if it was my car i would replace the panel and be done with it. a poor mans fix would be a can of white paint (dupla color), clear paint, flat black paint and some special filler from your neighborhood auto body supply house. depending on your patience and ability is what you can expect out of the repair. problem is, these panels flex continually (especially in heat), and the right paints are probably above your ability (and even some body shops).
to give you an idea of a proper refinish on these panels (if new):
1. spray special plastic bonding primer
2. a couple of coats of PPG paint or other.
depending on the manufacture you might have to add flex agent
3. few coats of clear (as above)

by the time you would be done, the 350-400 might sound cheap. I'd replace the panel with a new one, they are known to weaken and crack done the line do to the excessive flexing while you tried to move that tree

 

I would not attempt that repair w/o experience. "Bondo" or other plastic filler will not correctly adhere to that piece. Cost of materials alone will hurt you. Get a pro job done on it.

Attempts to fix or paint yourself may impair the plastic repair process if you decide to have a pro job done on it later.

What is needed:

Plastic repair kit (urethane for that bumper cover if I remember correctly).
Plastic Degreaser "Plasti-Prep"
Primer
White Base Coat
Clear Coat
Black paint system (different methods available)
Flex agent if the nose is to be removed.

Plus labor, sand paper, scuffing materials, misc. paint materials....

That estimate is pretty reasonable. I can't tell by the photo, but if the nose is deformed from the impact, the shop won't likely be able to repair it to pre-tree condition. If the damage is limited to what is visible in the photo, it is easily repairable with the correct plastic repair system. They may need to remove it to reach the back of the hole in the headlight bucket...
The white will have to be blended and the entire nose clear coated.

For best results they should loosen the nose so it can be painted with a gap between the fender and nose, or remove and paint it off. Keep in mind that any other damage (rock cips) or flaws to the nose won't likely be fixed unless you tell them to, and may get clear coated.

If they suggest a "clear blend", do not accept that unless you plan on selling it soon. Most likely such a blend will eventually show on that piece.

Jeff

 

Estimate is fair, they are probably going to re finish (paint) the entire front cap.

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96 Black Impala SS
Authorized Zaino Showcar Polish Distributor
www.zainobros.com
Remember #3

 

Thanx guys, I was wondering if that estimate was accurate. I guess so.