rear bumper paint on 2004 Outback Wagon

[lucygirl1992]

I was rear-ended recently and had to have the rear bumper in my 2004
Outback Wagon (which I love by the way - other car is 1999 Jeep
Wrangler, which I also love but I think I love the OB more) replaced.

It is just the basic Outback model, not a sport, LL Bean, or H6 or
anything.

I remember that the top part of the rear bumer was unpainted before, it
came that way when I bought the car, and it appeared that there was
some kind of rubber pad there. However, it did not say "Outback" or
anything.

I liked this feature because as I am loading crap in and out of the
back the bumper would not get all scratched up.

Anyway, when the car came out of the body shop, that part of the bumper
is painted black now. I complained that it wasn't right, because I
know it wasn't painted before and I think it looks like crap now, plus
I believe it will get all scratched up over time.

Since I thought it was a pad or cover on there, the body shop has
attempted to add this part for me, but they can't find it as an
accessory, I went to Subaru myself and can't find it either.

So, my questions are

-Does anyone know if the top part of the rear bumper on a 2004 OB comes
with a scratch pad or guard as a standard feature?

-If not, and it is normally just unpainted raw bumper there, any
opinions as to whether having this surface painted will be a problem or
not? I don't really like how it looks now, plus I'm worried that it's
going to be easily scratched, but I'm trying not to be a pain in the
ass...

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Bonehenge]

-If not, and it is normally just unpainted raw bumper there, any
opinions as to whether having this surface painted will be a problem or
not? I don't really like how it looks now, plus I'm worried that it's
going to be easily scratched, but I'm trying not to be a pain in the
ass...

My '01 has a semi-gloss black strip that unfortunately dosen't cover
the rear edge of the bumper. If the strip went all the way back, it
would work better. This strip appears to be part of the bumper cover,
not a separate part.

Have you checked your original dealer? Maybe this was a dealer
installed aftermarket part, not distributed by Subaru?

Otherwise ask the body shop about protective films. These are clear,
self-stick products, similar to heavy tape. It's usually used on nose
panels to protect against stone chips. I'm pretty sure both 3M and
Dupont offer a version of this, I've sure there are more. If the film
gets chewed up, it's simply peeled off and replaced.

Barry

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

my '03 has a plastic 'flap' there. Hard to believe the Soob guys can't
find the part, maybe its a 'trim' item that shows up as an option that
just happens to be on almost eevery package?

Carl

 

[lkreh]

Someone's yanking your chain. The black plastic rear bumper cover is
an easy to find factory accessory. I did a quick search at
www.subaruparts.com and found one for the 2004 Legacy which will fit
your 2004 Outback: http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=94

It shouldn't be hard to find the Outback-specific version. If your car
had it before the accident repair, it should have it after the accident
repair. Don't let your ins. co./repair shop off the hook!

-LK

 

[Jack]

For a 2004 Outback wagon without a rear bumper cover or any other
attached rear bumper guards on top of the bumper, is the top of the
bumper supposed to be painted?

And if not, what are the pros and cons of getting it painted black?

I would push for a new replacement bumper that is properly painted.

 

[Alan]

For a 2004 Outback wagon without a rear bumper cover or any other
attached rear bumper guards on top of the bumper, is the top of the
bumper supposed to be painted?

And if not, what are the pros and cons of getting it painted black?

I would push for a new replacement bumper that is properly painted.

The bumper has a black rubber surface on top- as if it were a step ladder.

 

[Jack]

Is there any paint, clear coat paint, or clear sealer finish on that
black rubber surface?

Or, is it just left unfinished rubber?