[human001]

So I have purchased a 2018 1LT camaro from a dealer. I was told it was never in an accident, etc. and I pointed out this weird "reverse" dent, and he had no idea on what would cause it.


Any idea as to how this would happen or its causes? The dent actually protrudes out, rather than being pushed in. I have no history on this vehicle, and don't think it has any sort of modification. Maybe this part was removed for some reason and sustained this dent?


As you can see, its on the driver-side front.



Thanks.

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by human001

So I have purchased a 2018 1LT camaro from a dealer. I was told it was never in an accident, etc. and I pointed out this weird "reverse" dent, and he had no idea on what would cause it.


Any idea as to how this would happen or its causes? The dent actually protrudes out, rather than being pushed in. I have no history on this vehicle, and don't think it has any sort of modification. Maybe this part was removed for some reason and sustained this dent?


As you can see, its on the driver-side front.



Thanks.

In your first picture, if you look straight up from the dent, it looks like those 2 pieces are separating a bit, something is going on there, I'd say it was damaged and repaired.

[human001]

Interesting. Thanks.


I dont have a carfax on this, but I know there are 22 entries. 2 of which are probably mine, as the thermostat was replaced within the first week of owning it.


I did get a "pre-purchase" inspection from a 3rd party auto shop, I felt they went through it pretty good, and said it all checks out, etc.


But now after your comment I think I agree with some sort of damage.


Here are more angles.


1. wider shot
2 close up, note the gap between headlight and fender? is this a normal gap? I can easily put a finger in there
3. and 4 a close up of the space between headlight and front fender.


With that being said, are the emblems supposed to be gold? or is white just as common?


Note the emblem images below. One, the front, is in terrible shape (for a 2018) the other is from the rear of the car. Im wondering if the front one was bought at a junk yard or something.. hmmm.

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by human001

Interesting. Thanks.


I dont have a carfax on this, but I know there are 22 entries. 2 of which are probably mine, as the thermostat was replaced within the first week of owning it.


I did get a "pre-purchase" inspection from a 3rd party auto shop, I felt they went through it pretty good, and said it all checks out, etc.


But now after your comment I think I agree with some sort of damage.


Here are more angles.


1. wider shot
2 close up, note the gap between headlight and fender? is this a normal gap? I can easily put a finger in there
3. and 4 a close up of the space between headlight and front fender.


With that being said, are the emblems supposed to be gold? or is white just as common?


Note the emblem images below. One, the front, is in terrible shape (for a 2018) the other is from the rear of the car. Im wondering if the front one was bought at a junk yard or something.. hmmm.

I'd say it definitely has been in an accident, it looks like the bumper cover rubbed paint off on to the headlight lens (picture 3 really shows this)...

The emblems should be gold (or black) someone did a really crappy job of painting those white...

[human001]

Thanks.


I took a close look at that bad emblem, and i can see a hint of gold, so I attacked it with tweezers. Much better. I just need to polish up the chrome around it to remove the paint without scratching it.

[JKSully]

I agree some sort of damage occurred and was poorly repaired - but I'm not sure the residue on the headlights is paint transfer. Looks to me more like wax or sealant or something that was applied to the bumper just got on the lenses. If it's wax, should be able to clean it up with some isopropyl/rubbing alcohol on a microfiber towel.

[arpad_m]

Just FYI that headlight gap is similar on my car, at least on the driver side (the passenger side gap is much smaller, go figure).

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Just FYI that headlight gap is similar on my car, at least on the driver side (the passenger side gap is much smaller, go figure).

But your headlight lens doesn't have paint rubbed off on it...

[The Maverick]

Originally Posted by human001

So I have purchased a 2018 1LT camaro from a dealer. I was told it was never in an accident, etc. and I pointed out this weird "reverse" dent, and he had no idea on what would cause it.

Any idea as to how this would happen or its causes? The dent actually protrudes out, rather than being pushed in. I have no history on this vehicle, and don't think it has any sort of modification. Maybe this part was removed for some reason and sustained this dent?

As you can see, its on the driver-side front.

I purchased a front bumper cover off a 2016 RS and it has a similar defect, in almost the same position, but on the passenger side. There is no impact damage on the back of the bumper cover that I could see, making it a mystery for me as well.

Given the similar locations, it seems unlikely that our two bumpers were coincidentally struck in the same spot (on opposite sides)... so maybe this stems from a manufacturing defect? Or perhaps it is an injury that develops from flexing of the plastic if the bumper is mishandled while off the car?

[JKSully]

Originally Posted by 2SS Capt

But your headlight lens doesn't have paint rubbed off on it...

Neither does the OP’s. That’s wax.

[The Maverick]

Here are a couple of photos of my second-hand bumper for comparison. These aren't that great since they are cropped from some quick snapshots I took months back.

I marked the location of the "wart" on the second photo. Looking at the lines of the bumper and grille, it sure looks like this is in a location that corresponds to your defect.

[Yasha]

Now that you've noticed this, take a very close look at the black plastic trim located under the hood just above (behind) the bumper. If the bumper was resprayed while on the car and masked off badly, you might be able to notice some overspray in that area now that you know you're looking for it. Also on the headlights although this is easier with the bumper removed from the vehicle.






I had some issues with previous bad bodywork on the front bumper of my car too. Only found out after a tow truck wrecked it further, paint just fell off in 6" strips. Anyway, behind that area of the bumper there is a styrofoam-covered plastic reinforcement piece (part 9 in picture above), though IIRC it's not very pointy. I struggle to see how it could create such a bump-out.



If you want to fix it your best bet to solving the mystery is a mom-and-pop style body shop, this is the type of thing my guy recognizes instantly. Mind you for my particular issue it cost a pretty penny. Quality autobody work is not cheap. But if it bothers you, it's well worth it.

[Vtor_ZL1]

There probably something behind the bumper cover that that protrudes slightly. When bumped, the protrusion causes bumper cover to create that bump or pimple.


That woudl be good reason why it showing up in other cars... someone back into you.. and boom, you have pimple now.