Am I the crazy one? Stinger rear bumper fitment

[Grahamdini]

Long story short I was backed into by some guy back in January and had to have my bumper replaced. I took my car to the local Kia shop with the hope that they would have access to the right parts and Stinger repair manuals and went through insurance. The shop replaced the bumper and rear wheel, but fitment was bad on the bumper from the start. I fixed the rear taillight alignment myself, but I have had it back a few times now for a bulge in the rear passenger side of the bumper. Each time I go back the Kia body shop manager tells me that the issue is with the bumper and that a new bumper (even when its from Kia) will never fit perfectly. He replaced the clips that attach to the rear quarter and it changed literally nothing with the fitment.

I used to work in a body shop in high school and college detailing cars after repairs and I have never seen a bumper come out of the shop looking as bad as mine. You may also notice the color isn't perfect, but I realized that may be the situation with the white pearl color...i'm ok enough with the color right now. I'm currently at a crossroads with the dealer body shop. The manager said he is going to ask Kia for a new bumper, but its not a guaranteed thing. So here are my questions:

1. Is the bulge acceptable (the other side of the car looks perfect)
2. Should I just remove the bumper myself and try to either shave some of the clips or heat it up and reform it?
3. Do I just accept this and move on (please look at the first pic and the shadow pic thoroughly before you tell me to just move on )?

 

[StingertimeNC]

damn, that would be annoying. it should be flush. it's like something is in the way preventing it from properly seating. is it possible that the fender is actually pushed in a hair, causing the bumper to look pushed out.

 

[Grahamdini]

damn, that would be annoying. it should be flush. it's like something is in the way preventing it from properly seating. is it possible that the fender is actually pushed in a hair, causing the bumper to look pushed out.

I don’t think so based on where it hit, how it fits where it hit, and how it fit immediately after the accident. I guess it could be, but then I still think it’s on the body shop to make it fit like it did since insurance was paying. Also, you can push in the piece to make it flush and nothing else moves. The bumper clip design where it bows is just a guide slot and and not an actual clip which really sucks for me. Thanks for the reply!

 

[MerlintheMad]

That would never go away for me either. Get it done! You shouldn't have to heat anything?! If the bumper cover is perfectly fine, then despite what you say about where you were hit, something between there and that bulge is out of alignment.

 

[ChaneRZ]

Get that ish done!!!!