Fixing paint scratches or replacing rear fender flare

I just need some advice.

I was parked on street parking and some d**k bag hit my rear driver side fender flare.
Does anyone here think or recommend taking it to a body shop and letting them paint correct the damage or should I just invest into replacing the flare with OEM. I just really want it to look like it never happened. It was in mint condition just a month ago. Only 20k miles on it too

 

If you want this to look like O.E.M take it to a paint shop. It does not look like you need to buy any panel for this, however if it is dented you should buy the flare. GOOD LUCK, I just luv when dirt bags do this.. shi... heads

 

OEM ones you get may come unpainted so you'd have to shell out for paint either way. I like the unpainted look that my OR came with; you definitely don't see the scratches and such. Not an expert here so don't know for sure if OEMs come painted.

Paint shop would be able to remove, strip it down, prep and paint. Only thing different is they'd probably change the texture of it when removing the old paint.

Sucks you have to deal with that.

 

taco1119, sorry about the hit and run damage on your truck.

I recently replaced the rear passenger body color matched fender flare on my 2018. It's an easy DIY task.

I posted info on it on this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-painted-fender-flares.858388/#post-30615166

Posts #5 and #8.

Hope info helps.

 

Sorry for the d-ck weed. I would take it to a body shop and have them fix and paint match. But your truck, be aware that eom will either come primed or maybe the paint won’t be as close as the body shop

 

You have a nice truck! I would take it to a good body shop and have it repaired correctly.

 

Thanks that’s true. It’s pretty expensive to buy a pre-painted OEM flare. I think I’ll just take it to a good shop. I can always replace the flares later if I end up going for a black accent look on the taco but unsure on that as of now so probably should just paint match and fix the damage

 

Absolutely thanks for the advice!

 

I paid $270 for a pre-painted perfectly color matched fender flare for my truck. It had all the clips and the 3M adhesive strip pre-installed. Installation is simple and straightforward.

Before getting the pre-painted fender flare, I got a quote from a local body shop. It was way more expensive. It was an easy decision after that.

With you doing the flare yourself, you get it done in just an hour. With the body shop route, you don't have your truck until they are done with it.

 

$270 is great, will definitely do some local research first. I’m really not looking to spend more than $350 whether at a body shop or for parts and shipping DIY. What were you quoted from the shop?

 

OP, why not file a UMPD claim with your insurance? This type of claim does not go against you and your insurance will not go up. I hope you don’t have some ridiculous deductible and that’s the reason you are not filing a claim?

 

Where did you get it?

 

$1800

 

See my post above. #4 in this thread.

 

Thanks, missed it!

 

No worries. Hope the info helps.

 

yikes yeah this may be DIY for sure. Thanks

 

The deductible would make the hassle of this not even worth the trouble of the claim. I’d rather dish out the money and call it a day unfortunately