[milfriez]

Murphys Law, just got done dropping $1k on performance upgrades that are in the mail as we speak, and this happens......never fails.

So yesterday pulling in to the park to pick up my kid from practice, my rear bumper found a rogue post in the dark. I couldn't have been doing more than 1mph. I barely touched the throttle to back up and heard a creaking door sound and immediately stopped. Results attached in photos.

From what I can tell, no deep paint damage. There are scrapes sure, but no cracks in the paint, no spidering, etc.

My question:
- Is this something I can pull off this weekend with relative ease, heat up, and try to pop it out myself. (Albeit leaving scratches in place). This would obviously be the cheapest, just didn't know what sorts of chaos would ensue, or what I need to be careful of removing it. I've heard the clips are known to break, and on an almost 9 year old car, I can imagine they're brittle.

- Do I try and take this somewhere and have them try to "professionally" repair it?

- Do I just say screw it and go with the MTech w/CF diffuser and call it an unplanned update?

Thoughts, experiences, help, info on potential hangups removing the bumper everything welcome.

Thanks!

[AllBlackBimmer]

I actually had a similar thing happen years ago...

Looks very similar and happened about the same way as you.

Anyway, what I did was heat it up with a hair dryer, and I took out the rear tail light on that side, I then stuck a crowbar (or something like that) down into the tail light hole behind the bumper and slowly pushed the bumper back out.

It worked.
Bumper is back to the original shape, with only a minor paint "stretch mark" in the one area.

Good luck.

[milfriez]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

I actually had a similar thing happen years ago...

Looks very similar and happened about the same way as you.

Anyway, what I did was heat it up with a hair dryer, and I took out the rear tail light on that side, I then stuck a crowbar (or something like that) down into the tail light hole behind the bumper and slowly pushed the bumper back out.

It worked.
Bumper is back to the original shape, with only a minor paint "stretch mark" in the one area.

Good luck.

Thanks,

That's exactly what I was thinking of trying. I really didn't want to have to remove the WHOLE bumper to try and get that part out. I was hoping there was an easier/quicker method. I'm hoping that maybe removing the light will be the ticket I need.

I've watched a few videos on touching it up/sanding/repainting and all that fun stuff, but I mean its a 2007. It's going to have some scratches on it. Past that point, i'll look to move to Mtech eventually.

Thanks for the pointers.

[L0B5TA]

boil water and pour it over the bumper

[milfriez]

Originally Posted by L0B5TA

boil water and pour it over the bumper

[L0B5TA]

if it doesn't work, I was joking.

[curveball]

I remember this thing has a name - Camry dent...

[milfriez]

Originally Posted by curveball

I remember this thing has a name - Camry dent...

That is amazing.

[ny325]

A good PDR guy will be able to repair your bumper.

[milfriez]

So it isn't GREAT. But again, 2007, going to eventually change out the rear end anyways. Just needed a quick fix. For about 30 minutes of time, a hair dryer and tools, not a bad free repair.

You can definitely still see some of the crease lines. But I'll figure something out. At least it doesn't look like someone punted my bumper any longer.