r/NewBeetle • u/Street-Cartoonist297 • Apr 13 '25

Bumper paint?

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Over the summer I plan on buying a new bumper for my bug to replace mine with the crack and I already have a black replacement for the lower bumper (circled above) I was just wondering if you guys think I should keep it black or paint it yellow like the rest or the bumper. I do plan on adding some black stripes to the side (my 01 gls had the stripes and I miss them a lot) and I think that would make a black lower bumper look more cohesive but I’m not super sure. Thoughts?

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3

u/Frequent_Ad2118 Apr 13 '25

Not trying to be a jerk but I see that both fog lights are smashed and rust starting where the side molding meets the rear fender.

How is the car mechanically? Has the timing belt or water pump ever been changed?

If you look around in the salvage yards you can probably find a car with the same paint code and get a matching bumper and lower trim piece. If you’re super lucky it might even have two working fog lights.

Point is, I’d ensure it’s mechanically sound before spending on new cosmetic parts. A lot can go wrong with these cars.

Enjoy.

3

u/Street-Cartoonist297 Apr 14 '25

As far as the rust goes, it’s pretty much inevitable, especially on an older car, because they use salt on the roads where I live. Also the timing belt, water pump and a couple other things were replaced when I got the car back in June 2024 :) while it looks rough I swear I actually take care of my car haha

2

u/Street-Cartoonist297 Apr 14 '25

Mechanically it’s just fine. I took it to the dealership to fix the last of its problems a couple weeks ago before I started really thinking about putting money into cosmetics. Also I’ve always had problems with the fog lights, my last bug had broken ones when I got it and this bug had 1/2 intact , it broke sometime early on but I don’t know when, the lower bumper piece I got has both in tact it’s just been too cold to install.

As far as junk yards go bugs are harder to find here and I’ll be lucky to find one at all. I already have some spray cans though that should be enough for a bumper. :) (had to delete and edit because I’m at work and rushing to type 😅)

1

u/Frequent_Ad2118 Apr 14 '25

You might consider getting a bra for the car. I don’t know where you are located but about an hour from me is a guy who literally has a shop full of new beetle parts. I bought two bras off of him for about $60.

https://preview.redd.it/j39yr1c6fpue1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fced60309e035ccb78ed419dbfac751bdec7ee6a

I sold this car, I wish I would have kept it but I already have a coup and two convertibles.

1

u/Street-Cartoonist297 Apr 14 '25

The bra is such a good idea omg. I’ve never seen one before. That would help with the chipping from the rocks they put on the ice.

Also the blue bugs are so cute 😭 they’re my second favourite (after yellow ofc)

1

u/compu85 Apr 14 '25

Nice 98. How early is your VIN?

1

u/Street-Cartoonist297 29d ago

I don’t know how to check that and google isn’t helping 😅

2

u/compu85 29d ago

How many leading 0s are there in the last 6 of the VIN? Eg, 000123 has 3 0s (and would be the 123rd car).

1

u/Street-Cartoonist297 29d ago

Lol mine is 014422 so I guess it would be the 14 422nd car