Typical bumper scuff repair costs
| Damage | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light scuff / paint transfer (buff & polish) | $150–$300 | No damage to your paint underneath |
| Scuff with minor paint damage (spot repair) | $250–$450 | Touch-up plus blending |
| Deep gouge needing filler + repaint | $400–$700 | Plastic filler, prime, and paint |
| Textured / unpainted plastic bumper | $250–$500 | Trim repair or re-texturing |
| Full bumper replacement | $800–$2,000 | Only needed if cracked or distorted |
What affects the price
- Depth of the scuff. Paint transfer sitting on top of your clearcoat is the cheapest fix. A gouge into the plastic needs filler and a full refinish of the bumper.
- Sensors and driver aids. Parking sensors, radar units, and cameras live in modern bumpers. If a scuff damaged a sensor or its bracket — or if the bumper must come off and ADAS recalibration is needed — the bill climbs fast.
- Textured vs. painted bumpers. Unpainted black plastic trim can sometimes be re-textured or restored rather than painted, which changes both the method and the price.
- Paint type. Metallic and pearl finishes cost more to match, even on a small spot repair.
- Blend area. A truly invisible repair often means refinishing the whole bumper cover rather than a dinner-plate-sized spot.
Repair vs. replace: where’s the honest line?
Repair is the right call for scuffs, scrapes, and paint transfer — anything where the bumper’s shape and structure are intact. Replacement enters the picture when the bumper is cracked through, mounting tabs are broken, the cover is distorted and won’t sit flush, or sensor brackets are damaged.
There’s a middle ground many shops won’t mention: a cracked bumper can often be plastic-welded for $300–$600, which restores full strength at a fraction of replacement cost. If a shop jumps straight to quoting you a new bumper for a crack, get a second opinion — preferably from a shop that does plastic repair in-house.
Related cost guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I buff out a bumper scuff myself?
Light paint transfer — the other car’s paint on yours — often comes off with polishing compound and patience. Stop immediately if you see primer or bare plastic, or if the area starts looking hazy: you’re cutting into your own finish at that point, and a pro should take over.
When does a bumper scuff need repainting?
When your fingernail catches in it, when black plastic is showing through, or when the damaged area is bigger than your hand. Small, shallow scuffs can be spot-repaired; widespread damage usually means refinishing the whole cover so it matches.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a scuffed bumper?
Repair, nearly always, for scuffs. A $300–$600 repair versus an $800–$2,000 replacement isn’t close. Replacement only makes financial sense when the bumper is cracked, distorted, or has broken mounts.
Will a scuff repair match the rest of the bumper?
From a good shop, yes. Bumpers are plastic and body panels are metal, so there can be a slight factory variation between them even on a new car — a skilled painter blends to account for that. Ask to see the match in daylight before you accept the car.