Letting dealership repaint front bumper on brand new 4R?

Just bought a new 4Runner last week. Bumper has a couple tiny rock chips from delivery. Dealership has offered to have the front bumper completely repainted. I'm a little wary of having them remove my bumper, paint, and then reinstall on my brand new 4Runner (doesn't even have 50 miles on it yet). Color is ice cap, so it shouldn't be too hard for them to match it well to the rest of the body color, but who knows.

Would you take them up on the offer or just get a bottle of OEM touch up white paint and 'fix' it yourself? I'm just nervous giving my baby to them when I won't even let them touch it for simple oil changes haha.

 

If you're that worried about it just take the bumper off yourself and have them paint it for you.

 

White cap is a new name, for the same old "super white" toyota has been making for a very long time.
You can get a touch up pen from AutoZone that matches pretty much spot on every time, this is a single stage touch up, as it dries the clear will "float" to the top and create a shine. You can then wet sand it smooth and buff it with a meguiars ball on a drill with some scratch and swirl remover and never know it was there. (or at least nobody else will be able to tell, you might still see it)

 

I absolutely would NOT have it repainted. Lots of issues getting the front corners of the bumper to sit flush after removing the bumper. Mine never sat flush on the corners again after being removed for a repaint. Even after multiple attempts.

There is a TSB for a fix from Toyota but the fix often doesn't work. I'd use a touch up pen myself. Multiple thin coats with drying time in between. Then I'd have clear PPF installed (if you don't your bumper will get blasted again).

If you have a repaint done, you could have two new chips a week later. AND bumper corners that don't sit flush. AND possibly paint that doesn't match. Just the reality of the situation.

Maybe see if dealer will give you PPF instead of a repaint. (Touch up pen first).

 

You’re worried about them repainting it but asking if you should just use touch up paint yourself? I’m confused.

 

My brand new 23 ORP was delivered with deep scratches on the rear bumper valance. The dealership was nice enough to offer to repaint the bumper. I figured if they had messed up just washing it, who knows what they mighr break trying to fix the paint. It all Happened September last year. 3 weeks ago I took it to a very narrow forest road and got pinstripes all over, dont even think about the paint anymore. TLDR, youre gonne get chips anyways, dont let the dealership touch it.

 

So they paint it. And then what happens? Drive 50 miles, get rock chips, detour to a body shop and repaint again?

I’d 100% not let them touch it. I’d give it a little touch up if it’s that noticeable. I have all my cars with full front PPF, best investment ever

 

It won't match and chances of your front bumper cover having fitment issues at the top corners near the headlights are high.

 

Repaint is always inferior to factory, so I would not do it over small rock chips.

 

It's very common for new vehicles to suffer damage from transport, as the transport drivers treat the railcar ramps like a rallycross course. Rock chips, paint scratches, scuffed wheels... the more severe damages were fixed before you ever laid eyes on the vehicle.

Leave it as you'll get more rock chips from normal driving. After the novelty wears off buy a real off-road bumper.

 

^^^^
This

Factory paint is (can be) applied uniformly and (can be) baked at a higher temp. Aftermarket typically isn't as good. The bumper, being plastic may have an aftermarket paint job as good but as it's painted off the car, at a different time and different paint, I wouldn't expect it to match as well.