Honda-Tech - Honda Forum Discussion

Is that the wrapped-around end of the bumper? (Or bumper cover?).

While you could look into having a "Dent Doctor" type (one who does touch-up painting) do a small area touch up, a body shop would tell you that they want to remove the bumper cover, re-spray it, and then re-mount it. The estimate could easily be over $1,000.

I just had someone back into my 2.5-month old 2018 Accord Hybrid. The minor contact took off a few small pieces of paint, and also pushed in a reflector. The reattaching of the reflector (or maybe replacing it) was going to entail some level of disassembly/removal of the rear bumper cover, anyway.

One estimate came in at $1100, the other came in at $1500. Part of the difference is that the higher estimate included a new reflector, whereas the lower estimate said that they would re-attach the reflector, but that there might be a cost adder if they actually had to get the new part. Also, the higher estimate included a charge for a "diagnostic scan" following the repair, which "Honda requires" if any electrical connections are undone and re-connected in the process (in my case, the rear parking sensors).

I am having my insurance cover it, so either way I am paying just the deductible. (I am assured by my agent that since someone else hit me (even though they left without leaving a note), my rates would not be affected....)

It would seem to me that it would be potentially less expensive to have them mask off the areas around the panel in question, and paint the panel "in place". But maybe in cases where the panel is easily removable, like a bumper cover, removing it to paint it is the cheapest way.

I was also told that the paint on my 2018 is a "three step" paint process. Basically an undercoat, then a top coat, then a clear coat. So that added a bit of cost as well (versus base coat plus clear coat).