How to Easily Repair Paint Chips

Video tutorial on how to repair stone chips on a vehicle's paint. These stone chips can be very unappealing, not to mention high risk areas for rust on your vehicle's body. This technique can be used on small chips, large stone chips, scratches, key marks, and even scuffs. It does take a little practice and a steady hand to get this right. This particular tutorial was done on a black car with no metallic. Cars with metallic paint, be sure to mix the paint thoroughly as the metallic maybe more noticeable in some spots if not done correctly.

Tools/Supplies Needed:

• bucket of soapy water or spray bottle with soapy water
• 2000 grit wet/dry sand paper
• spray can of color matched acrylic enamel paint
• small cup
• toothpick
• polishing compound
• wax
• microfiber cloth
• two soft lint free cloths
• isopropyl/rubbing alcohol
• soft cloth or microfiber applicator pad

Normally I would recommend washing the vehicle first to remove any contaminants which can affect the paint’s finish, but if this is done, it needs to be done a day before so we know the chips are free from any moisture. A heat gun or hair dryer can be used to dry the chips. Wipe down the chips using rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth, this remove any reside left over from wax, soap, or anything else that can affect the adhesion of the paint.

The paint I am using is a single stage acrylic enamel spray paint, therefore it doesn’t need clear coat. Spray the paint into a small container, do not get any overspray on any surround objects. Using a toothpick, allow it to soak into the paint for a moment. Dab the toothpick into the stone chip and allow the paint to flow in. Larger chips you will need to help the drip of paint flow through the chip, similar to a paint brush technique. We want the paint to be ever so slightly above the surface of the existing paint as it will shrink when it dries.

You can finish at this step or you can wet sand the chips to blend them in furthermore. For wet sanding, allow the paint to dry for three to four days, this will be dependant on the thickness of paint, as well as your climate conditions. Ensure the area has been washed so we don’t have contaminants when wet sanding. Have a bucket of soapy water or a spray bottle with soapy water, pre-soak the 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and ensure the surface is wetted down as well. Sand the surface applying light to medium pressure on the touched up areas. We are just blending in the chips, smoothing out the surface slightly. Rinse the sand paper and surface frequently to remove any sanding debris.

Once satisfied, rinse the area off, then allow it to dry. Using a soft cloth and a polishing compound, I am using Meguiars Ultimate Polishing Compound, apply the product to the cloth and then work it into the surface removing all the sanding marks. Once satisfied, apply a wax. Here I'm using Mothers Carnauba Wax, apply it with either a soft cloth or microfiber applicator pad. Work the wax into the surface, then allow it to haze over and remove using a microfiber polishing cloth.

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