I was out and about working on stuff, as we are moving, and I rear-ended a Ford Ranger...Damn!

The damage looks worse than it is, but it looks like, to do it right, I will need a graphite hood, grille, and front facia...should I worry about the parts standing out too much because of fading paint? I would rather get good used parts than have a re-paint...if anyone has anything, PM me, but I will put a post in the proper place...

Has paint technology changed enough over the last 20 years that matching is not a concern?

Any opinions?

 

Well I guess on the bright side.. you didn't take out the headlights and fogs! Don't know if there are any graphites floating around.. but as last resort there is a hood up on Ebay. You can also pick up an SRT6 front cover cheaper than the oem on there.. go figure.. of course these are going to require a paint job..
Hope you get her sorted soon!

 

Most true, sir...the damage isn't as extensive as I first thought, but it's not nice, either...how different is the SRT6 bumper cover?

 

You get the extra little "lip" on the lower edge..

Took a quick look through.. seems everybody has upped the anti .. I've seen them around $350 - $450 primered.. not right now though

 

Wonder if our used parts guy has anything...

 

His are mostly front end crashes.. but worth a shout.. found this.. might want to research them.. "no endorsement" here.. LOL.

05-08 Chrysler Crossfire Front Bumper Cover - Front Bumpers

 

Thanks for the lead! I took a look, and left them a voice mail to ask questions about paint matching, etc., since that was a concern my wife had brought up. She said that everything she's ever seen looks like crap after a few years...I would hope if they used the proper paint and clearcoat, it would last as factory...I am probably wrong...

 

Found this one too.. condition listed as new.. has the SRT6 and Stock.. SRT is cheaper.. LOL.

Chrysler Crossfire Bumper Cover - 2004 - 2005 - TheAutoPartsShop

Wife and I took a chance on an Ebay one for her Tahoe.. couple months now and at least no flakes jumping off or anything.. and did a pretty decent job on a vin match paint. We are totally satisfied at this point.

 

I would have to think you're as **** as I am about your cars...if you say you're satisfied, I can go with that?

 

No sir! I'm not endorsing anything here! I'm just saying we found a vendor on Ebay that supplied us with a quality painted bumper replacement.. Checked out his feedback and all indicated the price was worth the chance...

Please by all means do your homework. Last thing I want is to steer a member astray. These primered ones though would give you an option of local shop that would stand behind there paint work.

We paid $300 for a new bumper cover (reproduction) color painted and clear coated for the Tahoe.. so it was almost a no way to loose situation in our eyes.

 

Sorry to hear about your problems. But you're not totaled and it doesn't sound like anyone was hurt.
Paint technology has changed a lot, with variations on file with all paint companies for optimum colour matching. And the blending techniques with base/clear products can make a repair undetectable, so it's up to the painter to take some extra steps and blend into the fender tops and then clear the entire front end. And for what it's worth, there is almost always a slight colour variation between the bumper covers and the body panels. They are painted at different times with different materials at the factory.
Good luck with the repair and the move.

 

Here's the SRT6 one I've been seeing..

Think shipping per Greyhound is under $100 or so..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-SRT-6-CHRYSLER-CROSSFIRE-FRONT-BUMPER-2004-TO-08-/221224484240?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item338201bd90&vxp=mtr

 

Odds are you wouldn't find an already painted part which would be a perfect match for your car. It could happen, but, there's not guarantee. Any good body shop can match the paint without a problem.

 

@MrMiata...I was just suggesting that, as a satisfied customer, that I could trust that you would tell the truth about your experience. I might see if mine is as satisfactory!

@Ottawa John - Thanks for the sentiments...I was MOST upset when I screwed up the car, but nobody was hurt. Airbags didn't even deploy...no telling how long it will be down, considering I can't find a hood yet. Haven't even gotten it to the body shop so that it can be estimated out... Still moving, and probably will be for the next couple of days!

Pictures attached...on first blush, it looked a lot worse than it really is!

 

As far as matching paint goes, I had my entire driver side repainted after hitting a deer and it looks great. No lines and you can't tell where it changes to the original paint. Maybe I just had a great painter though..

 

How long ago was that? Still looks good? Ballpark price on the repair?

 

Only 18 hours left... Cheaper than what I've seen on LQK.. But don't sweat it.. it's been through Ebay a few times..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-08-OEM-Chrysler-Crossfire-Hood-SRT6-Mopar-300-/171034491240?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d2733968&vxp=mtr

 

I haven't eve gotten the car to the shop yet...

 

Well you may turn something up... just wanted to get it posted up in your thread as a last resort.. Like I say it's been through a few times. Probably be there next week too.

 

Hey... didn't MikeR's car have the hood as extra when his daughter was trying to sell it? I know the guy who bought it lives in Texas.. he had posted up in the For sale section. Might be worth some footwork if you have spare time..