Only had the car 1wk+ and saw this today. From a distance it's really unnoticeable - it's about 1.5" wide, in relation you can see the dimple for the front license plate holes underneath - but it still bothers me, especially since it looks like it went thru the paint. The car is parked nightly in a carport and I have my own space at work so I'm not sure how this could have happened (maybe a stone on the highway).

Anyway, I would like to get this fixed since it looks like something that will get worse over time. My MA suggested touch up paint but I'm wondering if this can be buffed out. The body shop at my dealer is a factory authorized BMW collision center but they might charge an arm and leg. Any suggestions?

 

I'm sorry about the damage to your new MINI. I however would like to make something clear to ANYONE that thinks something can be "buffed out". Buffing out is a process where we use a machine polisher and polishing compound to remove paint to improve the finish. In areas that have no paint, buffing will not improve what doesn't exist.

For scratches and other imperfections, we can minimize the effect of the damage by rounding and smoothing the rough edges around the affected area which reduces how light catches. But when there is clearly no paint, you cannot "buff out" what isn't there.

Basically your options are this:
1.) Add paint, realize that the repaired area will be darker than the surrounding due to the metallic flakes in the paint. Buffing can smooth the painted area, but the color difference will be noticeable.

2.) Your other options is to repaint the entire bumper. This can be done through a body shop and will cost $300-$400.

IMO, you should just touch it up as best as possible and realize the front of your car will get rock chipped over time. You don't need to worry about the chips getting any worse however. The bumpers are plastic and rust isn't a factor. The paint isn't going to peel or chip further. Just put on some touchup, wax it, and enjoy your MINI.

Richard

 

I can't tell if a plate will hide it, but if it will, maybe that is the way to go.

 

Scratched stock bumper = opportunity for JCW aero kit.

Just kidding. The first scratch is always the most annoying, especially for people like us that are all OCD about keeping our cars clean/polished/glazed/sealed/waxed/waxed again. I'd follow Richard's advice though, touch it up as best you can. It is the bumper and so long as you drive on the higway, it'll eventually get some rock chips.

 

Revel in the fact that your MINI shows signs of actually being used. Then come up with a good story to explain it should anyone ask!

 

You can't "buff" that one out. Just about any time you can feel a scratch with your fingernail, you can't buff it out.

Best bet is doing some kind of chip repair. Or just leave it, as you WILL get more with driving it. Then when you got a couple get the bumper repainted, & then add some clear bra over it.

 

Sorry to hear about this problem. I have had my car about a month now since rolling it out the dealer and encountered 2 chips on the hood already which is so dreadful to me since I'm a perfectionist when it comes to having a clean car.

I already thought about it and purchased the 3M-NOC Carbon Fiber vinyl and begin the wrapping process. I have watch so many videos and how to's that I should be able to get this done. I have plans on wrapping the hood as my first project and if I get the hang of it, I will tackle the bumper. Its not that hard but prepping the car is most time consuming and taking the time with it and using a heat gun for the edges is what I see is the hardest part.

So you might want to thing about wrapping the bumper and hood. You don't have to use the Carbon Fiber, you can use Clear if you like the paint color or matte black like other people do as the trend.

 

Celebrate!

Repainting the bumper seems crazy, but I will say that in the 37,000 miles since my hood was replaced and bumper repainted (after being backed into at a stop light) that the aftermarket paint is much less prone to rock chips than the factory paint was.

OG might know more, but I've heard of mobile paint services that use something like an airbrush to repaint small areas and blend the new paint into the surrounding area. I don't have any experience with it, but it might be a middle ground between touch-up and repaint.

 

Thanks for all your suggestions. After thinking about it, I will not repaint and instead try one of the chip repair kits and/or OEM touch up. The only thing is the edges around the chips will need to be deburred somehow and I'm a little skittish about sanding.