How To Fix Small Paint Chips Like A Pro
Chips in your car paint are inevitable. No matter how well you take care of your car, you are bound to pick up a few chips along the way. Usually, small chips are inconsequential and hard to see. However, if left alone for too long, they can get bigger as rust starts to form on the car body. Basically, the sooner you fix a paint chip, the easier and quicker the job will be. This article explains how, if you spot the problem soon enough, you can fix it with touch-up paint and a few simple supplies.
What Do You Need for the Project?
The touch-up paint is the most important supply for this job. Usually, you will have the best luck finding the right paint if you go directly to your car dealership. Most auto body stores only sell third-party products that often don't match that well with original paint colors. Most touch-up paint products have a brush (it is often attached to the lid). If not, make sure you buy the special tool while you are at the auto store. While you are there, you should also pick up some auto sandpaper. This ultra-smooth sandpaper is actually used after you apply the paint. It helps blend the patch in with the old paint. It needs to be wet when sanding, so keep a small cup of water nearby.
Prepare and Paint the Chip
First, you need to clean the chipped area before you try to paint it. Usually, just rubbing it down with a wet rag will suffice. Now, you can start to apply the paint. The key to the paint application is to put it on in several coats. That is, you don't need to get complete coverage on your first coat. Make sure you let the paint dry completely before applying each coat.
Sanding the Patched Spot
After the final coat is completely dry, you will need to use the sandpaper. The goal is to lightly buff out the painted area to help it blend in with the rest of the car's surface. Sand lightly (with minimal pressure) because you don't want to remove the paint or sheen from the touched-up spot
As you can see, this is very simple job. If you do it soon enough, you can prevent rust formation and save yourself a lot of time and money in the long run. For professional assistance with this job, contact an auto body shop like Paul's Body & Glass Shop.