In this guide, you will learn how to replace a missing tow hook cover and paint it to match the color of your car (bumper).

What you will need

tow hook cover

Tow Hook Cover - Search by Part Number for Any Car

  • Call your dealer and get the part number by VIN. Note that front and rear bumper tow hook covers are different. Often there are differences between trims for the same car model.
custom mixed matched spray paint

Custom Mixed Spray Paint - Basecoat

  • You will need the paint code. The paint code is printed on the VIN sticker on the driver door jamb. If you can't find it, call your dealer and give them your VIN number. They will be able to provide the color code for your car. Another option is to try online VIN decoders. In some cases, you can get the color code from a VIN decoder.
  • For best results order Base Paint and Clear Coat separately. If you would like to save money, order Singe Stage which includes Clear Coat. Don't order Clear Coat.
  • Note that the spray paint comes in 11oz. You won't use most of it and will have a lot left to touch up any scratches on your car.
primer for tow hole cover

Automotive Primer Spray

  • Apply before basecoat.
clear to paint tow hole cover audi maserati

Automotive Clear Coat

  • Apply after base coat. For best results apply a clear coat. It can be skipped if Custom Mixed Spray Paint is a single stage. The end result may not look as glossy as the paint on your car if you don't use clear.
painted tow hook cover

Sandpaper

  • 600 grit sandpaper.

Instructions

Follow these instructions to paint the tow hook cover to match your bumper color.

  1. Most tow hook cover comes as bare black plastic.missing bumper tow hook cover
  2. Sand it down with 600 grit sandpaper to prepare it for the primer.replacement front tow hook cover
  3. Spray one thin coat of primer and let it dry for at least 15 minutes.vw tow hook cover
  4. Sand it lightly especially if you see bumps or imperfections.audi tow hook cover painted
  5. Shake the spray paint and spray one thin coat of paint.bmw tow hook cover paintedKeep your hand at least 10 inches or more from the tow hook cover.
  6. Wait another 15 minutes and spray a second coat of matching paint.toyota honda tow hook cover missing painted
  7. Wait at least 30 minutes and spray one or two coats of clear coat.jaguar tow hook cover infiniti
  8. Clean the area where the tow hook hole is. In this case, duck tape was used to cover the tow hole.how to paint car plastic trim tow hook cover to match car paint bumper

  9. That's it. You are done.

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That's it. Replacing a missing bumper tow hole cover is simple.

This guide helped you learn how to order a new tow hook cover for your car and paint it to match the color of your vehicle. The procedure is the same whether you need a tow hook cover for Audi, BMW, Ford, Infiniti, Subaru Mercedes, Honda, Toyota or any other car model.

It's almost impossible to find a tow hook cover painted to match your vehicle unless you are willing to spend a lot of time at your local junkyard. New tow hook covers don't come painted.

You just need to order the correct tow hook cover for your car, see link below. Tow hook covers don't come painted. Therefore you will also need to order paint that matches your car color from the dealer or using the method described in this article.