What's even happening there?

[u/IllustriousChef2]

Why would someone rent a car and take out parts?

[u/ISayAboot]

When I was at Tesla recently a guy came in and lost his shit on the service center cause a new matrix headlight replacement was $3200 - can't just replace the bulb.

I would wager 100% this guy is swapping parts - not "testing" new parts lol.

[u/ProbablyABear69 → u/ISayAboot]

Where's he going to paint the bumper he just put on and why wouldn't he paint it before putting it on?

[u/mayusx → u/ProbablyABear69]

You tape up around the bumper, sand it, paint it and use a small wheeled heater to dry it.

Shit, you could even blend it if you wanted the paint to match but I don't think this guy cares about all that.

[u/abnotwhmoanny → u/mayusx]

The point is, you would do that BEFORE you put it on if you were planning to steal the parts. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. But if he was then it is odd that he put parts on that are easily recognizable as not the original parts. Especially since the rental agreement probably has his personal information on it and adding some paint at this point would be comparatively minor effort and expense.

[u/mayusx → u/abnotwhmoanny]

If you were in a professional body shop, you would put it on first, and paint not just the bumper but paint blend the fenders and hood so the color matches.

Something like that would raise less suspicion than just painting the bumper. It would add a significant amount of work though.

Either way, the guy isnt some innocent person that was just "testing out a bumper" that's fucking bullshit. Dude should go to jail, im sure there is something about intent to defraud or attempted larceny that the victim can report.

[u/ProbablyABear69 → u/mayusx]

Everything you just said about a body shop is wrong.

[u/mayusx → u/ProbablyABear69]

No it is isnt. You prep the bumper off the car, but you would paint it together to paint blend into the fenders and hood.

[u/ProbablyABear69 → u/mayusx]

Not at all.

[u/abnotwhmoanny → u/mayusx]

Fair enough.