Rust spot on bumper

[DOK]

I've got a few bubbles on the back bumper of my car, I'm guessing it's rust under it. Today I noticed one bubble burst and now the paint is going. It's only 2 years old, so a new car.

How do I go about fixing this? Is it a whole bumper repair job, or can I have it buffed and repainted?

Please note I'm a girl with no car fixing experience or interest! I do know enough not to take it into my dealership because I'm certain they'll take me for everything.

[zarrell]

Well the first thing I would do is take it to the dealership. If it's only 2 years old it will be under warranty unless you have some excessive km's on it.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by zarrell

Well the first thing I would do is take it to the dealership. If it's only 2 years old it will be under warranty unless you have some excessive km's on it.

1. Corrosion Warranty is not milage-dependant. It's one of the few warranty items on a new car that is time only. Furthermore, it's usually quite long, from 5-10 years.
2. Corrosion Warranty does not cover surface rust - it covers actual holes. Now you could be j*ckass and do something to accelerate the hole, but that's another debate

Perhaps pylon will step into the thread and explain how dealerships generally treat rust claims.

[Methanolic]

THIS Video and some help from an employee at Auto Vaue Parts or even Canadian Tire might do the trick.

It may look complicated, But it really isn't. Plus you could take before and after pictures and Brag about how you did the body work yourself!

However, If you can get it taken care of through the dealership, then go that route.

[burn_this_city]

I'd take it to the dealer. Unfortunately they usually only warranty perforations. Which means the rust has to make a hole first. My truck came with a 7 year perforation warranty, chances are your vehicle will have a similar term.

[edn88]

You know you have a four year old, when the first answer that came to mind was to use Rust-Eze the medicated bumper ointment!

[DOK]

I bought it used last year at a year old. Does that make a difference to bring it to the dealership or not? I really don't want to go there. One of those - your a woman we can take you for what we want - places. Especially if I don't know what I'm talking about.

[burn_this_city]

Take it to the dealer you purchased it from. If they can't honor the manufacturers warranty, take it to a dealer that sells those vehicle new. Either way you shouldnt have to pay for the repair.

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by DOK

I've got a few bubbles on the back bumper of my car, I'm guessing it's rust under it. Today I noticed one bubble burst and now the paint is going. It's only 2 years old, so a new car.

How do I go about fixing this? Is it a whole bumper repair job, or can I have it buffed and repainted?

Please note I'm a girl with no car fixing experience or interest! I do know enough not to take it into my dealership because I'm certain they'll take me for everything.

What type of car is it? Chances are if you have purchased it used its either been repaired once or changed with an aftermarket or remanufactured part just before it was turned in.

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

THIS Video and some help from an employee at Auto Vaue Parts or even Canadian Tire might do the trick.

It may look complicated, But it really isn't. Plus you could take before and after pictures and Brag about how you did the body work yourself!

However, If you can get it taken care of through the dealership, then go that route.

Your kidding right? Maybe if you drove K car that type of repair might work for about a month before it starts comming back elsewhere or on the "repaired" area. Once corrosion starts its usually comming from the back of the panel so unless you can get behind it and treat it aswell your just bandaging up cancer.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by DOK

I bought it used last year at a year old. Does that make a difference to bring it to the dealership or not? I really don't want to go there. One of those - your a woman we can take you for what we want - places. Especially if I don't know what I'm talking about.

Yeah except you do know what you're talking about on this one. "Hey guys, there's rust right there." It's not like they can upsell you to an engine rebuild at that point.

[DOK]

It's just a cheap Caliber. I'm embarrassed to say when I bought it the guy said it was from Alberta and I took his word for it. Come winter time, it has no block heater, turns out the car came from Quebec. When I called him on it he said that he THOUGHT it was from Alberta. I told him I would have never bought a car from that side of the country because of salt on the roads and water issues. Too late for me though.

I'll take it in, but go to a different person for sure.

I know what your saying Silver, but what I don't know is when they come back and say I owe this that or the other, what ground do I have to stand on? Now I'm worried they'll say it's my problem and won't cover it, but I'm sure they'll over to fix it. I guess I can look into my warranty and see what it says. I just hate fighting with these kind of people, it was such a struggle getting it in the first place, then the block heater issue, what a pain.

[Sliver]

I hear you. Hopefully it's spelled out in the warranty in plain English so you at least have that to stand on (if it's in your favour). I used to go to the Chrysler dealership in Crowfoot when I lived in the NW and now I go to the one on MacLeod between Southland and Anderson. I've had good experiences at both - the people didn't act like dicks or anything so maybe this will be easier than you're expecting. Good luck.

[pylon]

What kind of car is it? Cars haven't has steel bumpers for about 20 years. So I am doubting it is rust (unless it is a pickup truck). If it is on a plastic bumper, and the paint is peeling off, and there is no sign of damage around the area, then you you should be able to get a warranty claim. I think all major manufacturers carry a minimum of three years on paint finishes. Even if you got the car used, the manufacturers warranty carries from the original in service date from when the car was first purchased. Factory warranties go with the car, not the owner.

edit: saw it was a Calibre... the bumper is plastic on that car.

[Hevishot]

Chances are its been spot repaired or had someone put some body filler on plastic so now its starting to lift and fall out.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Hevishot

Chances are its been spot repaired or had someone put some body filler on plastic so now its starting to lift and fall out.

If that is the case, and the damages were never disclosed when he bought the car, then any reasonable dealer would repair it. Chippy could fix something like that for a couple hundred bucks or so.

[DOK]

Yes, it's plastic. It looks like water or something came between the paint and the bumper, now it's split open.

Wish me luck, hopefully being gigantically pregnant will help my case. That or I'll spring into a fit of rage and tears because of hormones. Either way, it'll be an interesting outcome.

[burn_this_city]

Rage or tears usually does the trick.