Question about the rear diffuser on my FL5

[Fl5#727]

Search the part number in Google and take your pick of vendors. I personally have had good experiences with with All Discount Parts. They are often the cheapest and the service is excellent. Pro tip: if the shipping quote at checkout appears to be off, contact them to inquire because the shipping is prefilled by their system. For example, if the shipping quote for a keychain is $25, contact them to inquire. It's usually incorrect and they will take care of it.

Cool thank you!

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[Clark_Kent]

Cool thank you!

Sure thing! Good luck. Let us know how this all works out for you. I'm now curious to know if the rear diffuser comes painted or not.

 

[tezzasaurusrex]

I'm sure its painted in base coat black and clear 2k over, similar to mirror covers, grilles etc - I've never seen an ABS plastic part be this glossy and not been painted.
Having said that - it won't be too expensive to have painted, most shops will do this very easily especially if it separates off the white main bumper section.

 

[STEye]

The worst thing would be to submit a claim for this small part and have it show up on your Carfax as an accident.

 

[albi]

First post here so I apologize if it’s not in the correct thread, admin please fix if not.

So to make a long story short this guy rolled into the back of my car in the drive thru line And luckily it didn’t dent the actual bumper but the black plastic diffuser has a couple dents in it where the guys license plate frame hit it.

I can get a new diffuser for $120 at the dealership but my question is does anyone know if those diffusers are just shiny black plastic or are they painted black?

I’m really hoping it’s not painted or the price will go up tremendously.

does Anyone have an idea?

Thanks!

Had someone back into me in the parking lot, and like yours it was not bad so I used a hair dryer and gradually warmed up the plastic and pressed it out. Can't even tell there was damage anymore. Cheaper than ordering new and no claim as an accident either.

Here is a pic of the dent before for reference:

 

[Fl5#727]

Had someone back into me in the parking lot, and like yours it was not bad so I used a hair dryer and gradually warmed up the plastic and pressed it out. Can't even tell there was damage anymore. Cheaper than ordering new and no claim as an accident either.

Here is a pic of the dent before for reference:

How did you press it out? Did you have to get behind it somehow and press from the inside?

 

[albi]

How did you press it out? Did you have to get behind it somehow and press from the inside?

Took the bumper off, heated up, and massaged it out with my thumbs gradually until it was smooth. No cracks or issues with the paint after. You will likely have to take the bumper off (whether replace or repair) because it it pretty tight back there with the exhaust and all.

 

[Fl5#727]

Took the bumper off, heated up, and massaged it out with my thumbs gradually until it was smooth. No cracks or issues with the paint after. You will likely have to take the bumper off (whether replace or repair) because it it pretty tight back there with the exhaust and all.

mines is just the diffuser part and its
More of like creased dents so I think it would be hard to push those out. I was hoping to be able to just remove the diffuser without even taking the bumper off but I’m not sure if that’s possible or not.

 

[albi]

mines is just the diffuser part and its
More of like creased dents so I think it would be hard to push those out. I was hoping to be able to just remove the diffuser without even taking the bumper off but I’m not sure if that’s possible or not.

I don't know if that is possible, but have not tried to either so could be wrong. I was quoted ~$500 to fix mine and I did it for free so worth a shot

 

[TypeRD]

Actually, I think the rear diffuser might be removable without removing the rear bumper. I was messing around under there, for a different reason, and took it partially off. I’m pretty sure the diffuser is only held in with a few screws and fasteners.

 

[Fl5#727]

Actually, I think the rear diffuser might be removable without removing the rear bumper. I was messing around under there, for a different reason, and took it partially off. I’m pretty sure the diffuser is only held in with a few screws and fasteners.

thats what I was thinking just based on looking at it and also looking at the part on the little diaphragm on the parts website. It looks like it has tabs on the top part of it that just kinda fit underneath the lip of the bumper and then held on with fasteners. I’m sure it’s a little more in-depth than that but doesn’t seem to hard. I figured it might have been held on with double sided tape too but idk.

 

[TypeRD]

I'm sure its painted in base coat black and clear 2k over, similar to mirror covers, grilles etc - I've never seen an ABS plastic part be this glossy and not been painted.
Having said that - it won't be too expensive to have painted, most shops will do this very easily especially if it separates off the white main bumper section.

You may be right. Thinking about it more, such a big piece of plastic would be difficult to avoid flow lines, imperfect color dispersion, and other visual defects in the manufacturing process. It makes sense for it to be painted black on top of molded black plastic.

As others have said, a brand new diffuser should not be expensive nor difficult to paint. Since it’s only a few hundred bucks, don’t get insurance involved. Save the “ding” on your insurance record for when you really need it.

 

[TypeRD]

thats what I was thinking just based on looking at it and also looking at the part on the little diaphragm on the parts website. It looks like it has tabs on the top part of it that just kinda fit underneath the lip of the bumper and then held on with fasteners. I’m sure it’s a little more in-depth than that but doesn’t seem to hard. I figured it might have been held on with double sided tape too but idk.

No. No tape. Thank goodness. It’s more functional than a piece of trim or an accessory like a bumper guard. Hahaha! And no, it’s really not more complicated than the diagram. Just be careful removing the fasteners so you don’t break them…or just buy a few spares. They come in handy from time to time anyway.

 

[Fl5#727]

No. No tape. Thank goodness. It’s more functional than a piece of trim or an accessory like a bumper guard. Hahaha! And no, it’s really not more complicated than the diagram. Just be careful removing the fasteners so you don’t break them…or just buy a few spares. They come in handy from time to time anyway.

sweet. I’m working on ordering it right now I will report back my findings lol

 

[Klazer]

Hey, any updates on if the rear diffuser came painted or not? Just wondering if I'd have to expect any prep for paint if planning to order this part

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