Fixing Up Your 2014 Kia Sorento Front Bumper
Finding a quality 2014 kia sorento front bumper doesn't need to be a massive headache, even though you're currently looking at a nasty split or a dent through a rogue shopping cart. Let's be honest, the front bumper is usually the first thing to consider a hit. Whether or not it was a minor fender bender or just many years of road debris turning your beautiful finish off in to a pitted mess, there comes a point where you possess to decide: should i fix it, or even do I just replace the whole thing?
The 2014 Sorento was a bit associated with a special 12 months because it seated right in that will sweet spot associated with Kia's design advancement. It has that will distinctive "tiger nose" grille, and the particular bumper assembly is definitely actually more complex as opposed to the way it discusses first glance. It's not just a big piece of plastic; it's a housing for your fog lights, air intakes, and sometimes even parking sensors.
Why You May need a New Bumper
Most people start searching for a replacement 2014 kia sorento front bumper because of cosmetic issues, but sometimes it's the matter of safety. Bumpers are designed to absorb influence. If you've experienced a low-speed crash and the plastic material is cracked, the particular structural integrity associated with the bumper cover—and the foam absorber behind it—might become compromised.
If you're seeing "spider web" breaks in the paint, that's usually just the clear coat plus base coat faltering because the plastic material flexed too very much. You might end up being able to sand that down and paint it. However, if the plastic alone is torn or even the tabs that will hold it to the fender are clicked off, you're better off just buying the new one. Attempting to glue all those tabs back on is a recipe for a bumper that sags or falls off whilst you're driving down the highway.
OEM vs. Aftermarket Options
This particular is where almost all owners get stuck. Would you go in order to the dealership plus pay the "Kia tax" for a good Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part, or perform you have a gamble on an aftermarket version from an online retailer?
OEM bumpers are great because the fitment is guaranteed. A person know every screw hole and clip will fall into line properly. But, man, they are expensive. You can easily spend dual or triple compared to an aftermarket part.
Aftermarket bumpers for the particular 2014 Sorento possess come a considerable ways. Many of them are usually made from exactly the same high-density polypropylene. The trick is making sure you purchase from a reliable source. Some "budget" bumpers might become slightly warped through shipping or have thinner plastic, but for the car that's a decade old, many owners find that a high-quality aftermarket bumper does the job just fine for a fraction of the cost.
The Paint Problem
Unless you're fortunate enough to find a matching 2014 kia sorento front bumper at a nearby salvage yard, any kind of new part a person buy is heading to arrive in a black or grey primer finish. It's basically a nude piece of plastic waiting for some color.
A person have three primary routes here: one. The particular DIY Spray Job: You can order color-matched aerosol cans. It's cheap, but it's hard to get a professional-looking very clear coat finish in a driveway. two. The neighborhood Body Shop: You purchase the bumper, get it to a store, and have all of them spray it. This is usually the best stability of cost and quality. 3. Pre-Painted Parts: Some online vendors provide to paint the particular bumper before shipping it to a person. You just give them your Kia color code (usually found on the driver's side door jamb). It sounds convenient, but there's always a danger the color won't perfectly match your car's faded paint, or even the paint may crack during delivery.
Can A person Replace It Yourself?
If you have a basic set associated with tools plus a little bit of patience, replacing the 2014 kia sorento front bumper is actually a pretty manageable Weekend afternoon project. A person don't have to be the master mechanic to pull this off.
You'll mostly be dealing with plastic clips (the bane of every car owner's existence) and some 10mm bolts. The hardest part is usually reaching the particular bolts hidden within the wheel well. You'll wish to turn your wheels most the way to one side to give yourself a few room to function.
1 pro tip: purchase a bag of generic automotive plastic clips before you start. The particular old ones are usually almost certainly heading to be frail and snap whenever you try to pull them out there. Possessing a fresh place on hand will conserve you a frustrating trip to the particular auto parts store halfway through the job.
Taking into consideration the Extra Parts
When you're shopping for the 2014 kia sorento front bumper, pay close attention in order to the "trim level" of your car. Is it a good LX, EX, or SX? The bumpers may differ slightly depending on whether you have fog lamps or specific cut accents.
Most of the time, the bumper cover is sold as being a "shell. " This implies it doesn't come with the billet grille, the Kia logo, the fog lighting housings, or the lower valance. You'll need to thoroughly remove those components from your outdated, damaged bumper and swap them more than to the newest one particular. If your older bumper was totally trashed, you might need to purchase these pieces separately, which can add up quickly.
Don't forget the energy absorber—the big block of foam that rests behind the plastic material cover. If you were within a collision, that will foam is likely crushed. It's an one-time-use part. If it's damaged, don't skip replacing it; it's what actually defends your car's framework in a low-speed bump.
The price Breakdown
Therefore, what's the bottom part line? If you're doing this on a tight budget, you might find an unpainted automotive aftermarket bumper for someplace between $150 plus $250. If a person have a shop paint it, tack upon another $200 to $400 based on your own area.
If you move the full professional route—having a body shop order the part, paint it, plus install it—you're probably looking at a costs somewhere between $800 and $1, 200. It sounds such as a lot, but for many, the peace of brain knowing it had been carried out right will be worth the extra cash.
Where to Appear for Parts
Don't simply click the particular first link you observe. Check out specialized auto body component websites, but furthermore take an appearance at eBay and even Amazon. Sometimes you can find a 2014 kia sorento front bumper with free shipping, which is the huge deal mainly because the boxes with regard to these things are massive and generally cost a fortune to move.
Another underrated choice is the "u-pull-it" style junkyard. When you're incredibly fortunate, you will probably find a Sorento that was hit within the rear but has an ideal front bumper within the exact color you require. It's like getting a needle in a haystack, but when you do, it's the cheapest plus easiest fix probable. No painting needed!
Final Thoughts on Your Sorento
At the particular end of the particular day, your 2014 Kia Sorento will be a reliable, solid SUV that warrants to look the best. Replacing a beat-up front bumper does more compared to just make the car look more recent; it protects the vital components seated right behind that plastic material, like your radiator plus A/C condenser.
Whether you decide to tackle the replacement in your garage or hand the keys to some professional, getting that will fresh 2014 kia sorento front bumper installed will definitely offer you a new feeling of pride within your ride. It's one of individuals repairs where the visual payoff is usually immediate and gratifying. Just remember to consider your time along with those plastic clips, and maybe have the friend assist you to range everything up whenever you're snapping the particular new cover directly into place. It makes the whole process a lot smoother.