How To Fix Paint Chips

1 February 2018
 Categories: Automotive, Blog

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Does your car have a few nicks and dings that you want to take care of? If you just have a few small auto body blemishes that you want to repair, you should consider fixing them yourself. Of course, the work can be a little technical, but it is actually easy to make most repairs if you have the right tools and supplies. This article explains what you need to properly fix small paint chips on your car surface.

Don't Be Afraid to Work on Your Autobody

Even if the paint chips are just small, it is definitely worthwhile to fix them. If you leave a paint chip alone for too long, it is going to get bigger. There is also a chance that the chip could penetrate down to the metal underneath, which would expose it and could lead to rusting. So, it is better to be safe than sorry and repair small paint chips as soon as you notice them. When you have the right supplies and realize how simple it is to do the work, you can instantly fix paint chips so they never become an issue.

Using the Right Materials

The most important thing you need for this job is auto body touch up paint. You definitely want to get this directly from the dealership. There are third-party paints, but you are bound to have better luck if you buy paint directly from the manufacturer. The touch-up paint is extremely easy to use, and there is even a small paintbrush built into the lid. It is almost like a nail polish brush, so it is perfect for tiny paint chips.

Before you actually paint the chipped area, you will need some auto body sandpaper. You can also get this directly from most dealership repair shops. This is basically an ultra-fine, super smooth sandpaper. However, it is rough enough that it will slightly scuff up the existing auto body paint, creating a surface that is more conducive to the touch-up paint. That is, the touch-up paint will stick better to a surface that is a little rough. If you paint directly over perfectly smooth auto paint, it probably won't bond that well. The key to applying the touch-up paint is to apply it in a few coats. That is, you want to put it on very thinly, allow the coat to dry, and then apply the next coat. This way you will end up with a smoother surface than if you put it on thick.

To learn more, contact a company like Wolfe's Foreign Auto