Can this be repaired "easily"?

[MacGyvers Mullet]

Some lovely member of society hit the back of my car with an unknown object. It left a small indention in the outside rim of the license plate area, while pushing it out just a bit to the side. I am not sure if this particular piece is fiberglass like other pieces of the car, or plastic. Can anyone confirm?

viper damage.jpg

What are the options? Tricky fiberglass work? I would want to avoid painting the whole panel, especially when stripes are involved. It's so darn small, that most can't notice it, but it's what I see every time I walk behind the car, and we all know how that can be.

[GTS Dean]

I believe this is a RIM (resin injection molded) part. Not as soft as the fascia, not as stiff as fiberglass. Definitely fixable.

[dave6666]

I believe this is a RIM (resin injection molded) part. Not as soft as the fascia, not as stiff as fiberglass. Definitely fixable.

I have some of those in my attic. The material type is usual molded in on the back. I could go look if I wasn't lazy. But definitely fixable.

[BlackSnake99]

If it is really as barely visible as it is in that pic I would just forget about it. Looks like a variation in the molded panel to me.

[MacGyvers Mullet]

If it is really as barely visible as it is in that pic I would just forget about it. Looks like a variation in the molded panel to me.

It is barely visible to someone who doesn't know it is there. the problem is that the rest of the car is in 98% mint condition, so it kind of gets under my skin more than it should. I may just get over it at some point. Or it may be a case of Tommy Boy, as to where I am spit shining some dirt and my entire door falls off at the gas station.

Thanks for letting me know it is RIM, so I will bring it to a couple of places to get an estimate to see if it even worth it.

[Fatboy 18]

There are lots of youtube videos on bumper repairs and how a hairdryer/ heat gun is used to gently ease out dents. That might work for you? That back panel is held on with a series of black plastic nuts which you get to after pulling down the rear carpet in the trunk.

[Mopar Steve]

Check with a PDR guy (paintless dent repair ) they do repairs of small areas like this all the time. They may have a solution.

[MH60M]

Yep....like everyone said RIM.....basically plastic. I don't think a heat gun will do it. Be careful with that area, those panels are fairly fragile off the car. Set it on the ground exactly how it sits on the car, any other position can crack it in the middle. The plastic nuts shown above are for the tail lights & panel. There are 4ea well hidden 8mm-5/16" screws that hold the actual panel on to the aft end of the right/left quarter panels. The screws come out from the outside of the car. A competent plastic welder could fix it....but it'd need paint. Last I checked, those panels are out of stock and discontinued. Used parts suppliers have them for $450-$700used/damaged +shipping. I have a NOS one, but I wouldn't let it got for under $1500. I'd leave it alone.....don't look at it!

[Mbccenter]

It's a total loss. I will give you $10.00 or just try leaving it out in the hot sun for a day or 2. Might just come back to its natural state.