All you need to know to repair car paint chips like the pros

Expert Advice To Repair Car Paint Chips From Eastwood

Here are simple, step-by-step instructions to repair car paint chips (follow Steps 1 through 5) and repair finish flaws (follow Steps 1,4, and 5).

1. Clean the area. All grease, was, and oil must be removed from the affected area. If the area is not perfectly clean, the repair may fail quickly, or the underlying metal could start to rust beneath the new paint. (Our #40041Z PRE Surface Prep, an easy to use aerosol, does the job very well.) If the chip has already started to rust, you must clean it out. (Our #34004 Fiberglass Rust Brush is perfect for this sort of job.)

2. Apply touch-up paint in layers. Build-up several thin layers of paint finish (see diagram). Professional paint shops allow each coat of touch-up paint to cure overnight before applying the next. Although time-consuming, this makes for a better repair.

3. Sand new paint level with existing finish. Remove one self-adhesive Sanding Disc from the spool and place it on the Fingertip sanding Spool. Dampen the sanding disc with water. Using a wet sponge, wet the repair area and add a drop of Paint Polish to make a 50/50 mix of polish and water. Sand the repair area by rotating the spool between your thumb and forefinger. Try to sand as small an area as possible, and use just enough pressure to smooth the area. Keep sanding until the touch-up paint is level with the surrounding paint.

NOTE: Do not rub spool back and forth, and keep the area wet while sanding.

4. Buff out the repair with the buffing pad. Attach the Velcro Backup Pad to an electric drill or low-speed (2,000 RPM or less) polisher. Put a "dime-sized" spot of Paint Polish on the repair area and turn the drill polisher on. Move the drill over the area in slow, circular motions, using medium pressure for about 10 seconds. Keep the drill running and release some pressure, continuing to polish for about another 2 or three seconds to get maximum gloss.

5. Clean and Wax Clean the area with water and a damp cloth. When the area is dry, apply a good-quality car wax to protect the finish. Waxing will help prevent future problems. Remember, paint and chrome plating are porous; moisture can get under the finish and lift the surface coating, which will make the base metal rust.

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How to Fix Stone Chips in Car Paint | eHow.com

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