2011 Rear Bumper scratch

[SubOut1]

Well my wife just got back from a trip to her mother's with the new Outback (2 weeks old). As my daughter was coming into the house, she told me to be nice to my wife???
When my wife got into the house, she had a long face and I knew something was up. Well, it turns out that she had just backed into a sign post at a convenience store they had stopped at. The bumper was dented and scratched but the dent had all but disappeared by the time she got home.
I was disappointed but not as angry as my wife thought I would be. This will make it easier for me to take the Outback out into the woods .

Is there a site that sells newer Subaru parts? The painted section of the bumper can be repaired but the plastic lower section should be replaced as it was scratched. Any help would be appreciated (I have to hurry because my wife just walked into the room and she wouldn't appreciate my advertising her misadventure)

Later,

[phoenix96]

I've bought tons of parts over the years from subarugenuineparts.com. They have a "collision parts" catalog that would probably have the part you need.
Another good one is subaruonlineparts.com.

[SubOut1]

Looks like I hadn't looked at the bumper closely. The painted section is NOT separate from the lower "black" section. Bottom line, I can get it repaired by painting the bottom section (the repair shop said it wouldn't match the other black pieces on the vehicle) for around $600 or order a new bumper cover and end up paying around $900.
I guess I'll be going with the new bumper cover and hope it will last more than two weeks!!

[subiesailor]

Post a pict! Correct the top colored half of the plastic bumper cover is the same single piece as the lower black section of the bumper cover. Though it does look like a two piece part its not. It's a basic ABS flexible plastic part covering a very industrial looking bumper bar bolted to the rear sub frame with 8 bolts.

If the top colored half of the bumper is Ok chances are it is given they use a pretty flexible paint on these to prevent chipping when they get bumped and your major problem is the black section if the scratch is really obvious then you can find an ABS flexible black paint in a spray can and just mist it a little this will sort of hide the scratch and make it less obvious and some what avoid the whole paint match issue.

From the land of Parallel parking unless the bumper cover is damaged and falling off you just chalk it up to vehicle use given it is a bumper after all.

[SuperDouche]

I like your first thought - use this as an excuse to take the Subie into the wilderness. I remember being so disappointed by my first scratches in years past (on cars, surfboards, laptops...), but now I view these things as liberating.

You know it's coming, so now you got that first one out of the way. Don't spend $900 on a scratch, because I guarantee if you do, more will follow. They always do. Free yourself from the need for perfection, and just enjoy the ride. After all, you can't see the scratch from the driver's seat anyway, right?

[subiesailor]

My only fix that I seriously considered fixing was a big driver side door dent 4 weeks after driving the car off the lot. Though a new door skin ran about $1200 installed and another $1000 to paint match it which we all know is luck and magic. 160,000 miles later I still had old friends very rarely say Oh shoot someone dented your car! HA HA When I told them it happened 8yrs ago they would look at me and say WHAT! And tell me they never noticed till now.

Guess what my wallet was always $2200 heavier and at trade in- trust me it wasn't much of a factor my car was tired and well used.

[snajper69]

Don't waste your money, especially before winter I always tell my self that, maybe someone will rearend you and fund you new bumper lol

[ricyoon]

If it makes you feel any better, I had a run in with a lady over a parking spot at the local market and when I came back out of the market I found a $1300 knee to the fender by her husband. Boy I would have loved to catch him do it.

[SubOut1]

I was going to just leave it as is but the wife insisted on fixing it as she felt so bad about denting it in the first place. As for the advice on not fixing it, my 2006 Honda Accord still has a scuff/scratch on the front bumper courtesy of my daughter which is about 3 years old so I know where you're coming from. I will be reluctant to fix anything else on the Subaru and it won't detract from the fact it is still the best vehicle I have driven/owned ever!!

[bikemobile]

Subaru character....