Sunday, February 23, 2014
How to Fix Rock Chips in Paint
A rock-chipped area on your cars paint can turn into rust if you let it go without repairing it. Repairing it immediately after it happens ensures that it does not become a bigger problem in the future. Fixing rock chips in your auto paint is not a hard repair, and in most cases can be done without a professional.
Instructions
- 1
Look up the year, make, and model of your car in the paint section of your local auto parts store. There will be a booklet that lists the colors that were used that year for your car. Find your paint color using that list. Dealers may have the paint you need as well, but in many cases will not sell a small enough amount to make it budget friendly to buy for small chip repairs.
2Clean the chipped area with soap and water. This will remove any debris and ensure that the area is clean when you apply the paint. Dry the area with a soft cotton cloth.
3Rub auto polish over the chipped area. This will help to soften any edges that are ragged on the chipped surface. Too much rubbing could damage the existing clear coat on your car by making it appear cloudy. Take care not to rub more than 10 or 12 times in a smooth, circular motion.
4Clean the finish with denatured alcohol. Do not pour the alcohol directly on the car. Instead, pour some onto a soft cloth first. Wipe along the chipped area. This will remove any polish that still remains and any grime that is left on the car.
5Apply primer using the wrong end of a match, also known as the butt end of the match. The size of the match makes it perfect for touching up small chips. Dip it into the paint and then fill the area inside the chip, allowing it to just slightly touch the paint that is around it. Allow time to dry according to manufacturer instructions. It typically takes up to half an hour.
6Paint over the primer with your touch-up paint. It usually will come with a brush inside the bottle. Test it on a piece of paper first if you are worried that it will not match your car color. The more coats you put on the paper to test, the more closely the color will match how it dries on your car. Wait an hour and apply another coat. Let the paint sit for several days. Lightly sand the edges or raised area of paint with fine-grit paper. Gently polish the area to blend in the edges of your repair.
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