`01 Outback with scratches.

I found the same problem with my WRX. Pretty nasty scrape, too. right into the black plastic making up the bumper.

I haven't done anything with it as yet. I see no way it could cause any damage. if your bumper is plastic, you're likely in the same boat.

Since it's way under there, one approach you might consider is:

-sand the area down to flush, with coarser grain paper, and then down to finer (150);

-get a couple of bottles of touch-up paint from the dealer

-brush several VERY thin coats on, until it is thick enough to look decent. Don't use the brush in the bottle; it's only as big as a nail polish brush.

-proceed to wet-sand with super-fine paper - 600, maybe, working up to

-get some NOVUS #2 plastic polish and give the area a final once-over.

It will never look perfect, but since the area is way down there, who cares. I have a spot about 1/2" on the side of my bumper I also have to deal with. I've filled it, but the sanding/finishing I have yet to do.

But, that's the basic recipe I'd follow. The NOVUS stuff is brilliant. I have filled in paint chips in my hood with touch-up paint, and leveled the area with sandpaper wrapped around a piece of wood about the size of a pencil - I only let about 2mm of paper touch the surface at any time. Once the area was flush to the touch, I brought out the Novus polish, and got back the finish sheen in no time.