Bumper: metal or fiberglass?

I'm going to prove yet again how much of a newbie I am. After just a couple days with the new car I'm finding some paint chips on the front bumper (nowhere else yet). In my last car, Precidia, I think the bumper was some kind of fiberglass or something. When I got stone chips or scraped it I didn't worry too much. Also, it was blue and didn't show the damage much.

But in the black gts, the chips are more noticeable but they're quite small. Don't know how freaked out I should be cause I know they are inevitable and I bet I'll get more every day just driving down city streets. Is the bumper metal or fiberglass or something else?

I wonder how easy it is to repair them. I tried using touchup paint once in a while with the MX3 but it always turned out poorly. I've read a few techniques on this forum about how to apply the touchup paint and about wet sanding and all but I don't feel confident doing it myself. Wonder if I could bring it to the dealership and ask them to show me how to use it properly, that'd probably be smarter than just messing it up. You guys are prolly thinking I'm taking this too seriously but I really don't want to do a bad job and if I could just watch somebody do it right once, I'd be much better off.

I guess I don't really have a question (other than what material is the bumper made of); just wanted to vent some frustration. If you have any tips that'd be great. I haven't waxed the car yet since it's new and now I'm wondering if the wax might have protected the bumper a little. What a drag!

[chico]

I do a lot of freeway driving, I just use ducktape on the front bumper, (i cover the whole thing)because there's lot's of construction trucks that kick up rocks, I did my headlights too, and cut a circle so i can drive at night, and i remove the tape at the end of the week, my front bumper still looks new!!!!!!!!

[2002GT_Celica]

Don't think that you are taking this too far. Because I was the same way when I first got my car. The stock bumper is made from urethane, so it is not fiberglass or metal. Anyways, about the rock chips, if they are small enough, they will be practically unnoticable after you wax. Chico's idea is a good one. Anyways, I wouldn't worry too much man, no paint job is perfect, especially those on daily drivers (which I am assuming you use your Celica for). Nevertheless, the touch up paint can be your best friend if used properly, just go to the dealership or a body shop and ask them on some ways you could use it effectively. Hope this helps.

[liquid]

Chico, I find that electrical tape looks better than duct tape..

[The Game]

Get a car bra, it works well!

[2002GT_Celica]

Originally posted by The Game
Get a car bra, it works well!

Umm...the Toyota bras don't work with the 2002 models because of the lower grille being included stock.

[ReD LyTe]

If you really want to take care of your front bumper you should take it off then out it back on when you want it to look good...

[ReD LyTe]

But the tape idea is good too...

Yeah, I know it was bound to happen and maybe waxing will help. I don't think I am prepared to do the tape thing. That sounds a bit crazy (no offense), it seems that with the heat the duct tape would leave all kinds of crap on the paint. I suppose that could be clay-barred. I wonder if it could actually pull any off, too.

I was equally frustrated when my MX3 was new and started to accumulate chips in the paint on the bumper and hood. After a while, I didn't even really notice them any more and after washing the car it still looked very good. The chips kind of just made the car look driven in the real world (if that makes sense) but it still got a lot of compliments from the girls (they seemed to really go for the metallic blue colour). Generally guys would always say: "dude, you should have gotten black". And now I have the black gts (hey, not to please the guys! I'm not ghey, not that there's anything wrong with that).

Ah well, I'm blabbering...must be the heat here in Ontario. Damn, where's my beer?

[The Game]

Originally posted by 2002GT_Celica


Umm...the Toyota bras don't work with the 2002 models because of the lower grille being included stock.
Really??? Thanks for the info:thumbup:

[Chris25NJ]

fact: the celica paint sux (and it's especially noticable on black/carbon blue). you're hood/bumper will eventually look like it has white speckles all over it. if you are really concerned you can try a 3M clear bra.

[RedNOSceli]

The tape is nice, but Ill stick to my card board and staple gun....Ka-Chank.....KA CHank!....no more rocks on the paint, and the holes left in the bumper are so small you cant even see em...

[2002GT_Celica]

Originally posted by Chris25NJ
fact: the celica paint sux (and it's especially noticable on black/carbon blue). you're hood/bumper will eventually look like it has white speckles all over it. if you are really concerned you can try a 3M clear bra.

:werd: We have the tree huggers in this world to thank for that. Apparently, they don't use the oil-based paint like they used to but rather use water-based paint, which believe it or not, makes for much weaker paint.