Chip and scratch repair

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

I don't know the exact size of the brush I used, but it was probably a "0" or "1" You're certainly better going too small rather than too large, especially if you're looking at filling in longer scratches.

[bluelaser2]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

I don't know the exact size of the brush I used, but it was probably a "0" or "1" You're certainly better going too small rather than too large, especially if you're looking at filling in longer scratches.

What i was thinking too.

Try to get a brush smaller than the chip size, and a pair of those dental binoculars would help.

[Top Gear]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

I've also benefited from this thread, and I've used this technique with a brush, also varying it with the typical $20 "paint pen" you can find at your local stores (when my touch-up paint ran out). The pens come with clear at one end, and a close enough color on the other (somehow they only seem to stock Toyota and Chrysler paint matches). In my case with black, it's obviously a perfect match (minus the pearl/metallic, but for a small chip, that won't matter). The pens have a very small applicator tip for getting that crucial drop of paint into the small chips. Otherwise, my approach is much the same, with 1500/3000 sanding, machine compounding, polishing, wax, etc.

While I enjoy these projects every few months, I try not to get too stressed out about it (emphasis on try). New chips will appear within days after driving on the interstates, anyway, per Murphy's Law. I think of the repair as temporary-to-permanent, rather than perfection, although smaller chips can disappear completely with this technique. The chips where I've come short against Mike's skill level, I can always return later and touch them up again

[Spazzz]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

Darn a 2 is to big. Looks like maybe a 00 would be the one.
I did some swabs on the inside of an ERA measuring cup.

[billddrummer]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

Great article Mike!

I bought some color match paint from the dealer and it seemed to work fine without using clear on top; but I didn't use your technique of sanding, then buffing.

Was using some fine grit sanding blocks (foam) from Hobby Lobby, of all places. But wasn't as aggressive with the sanding as i should have been, nor did I buff properly afterward.

Will look at some more aggressive buffing compounds and reattack the scratch on my passenger side door.

Great advice!

Thanks.

[billddrummer]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

Well, today I discovered that someone (haha) took a chunk out of the right hand passenger side door. Looks like a door chip, V shaped chip on the shaped section that runs along the car from the front fender to the rear quarter panel.

How do I correct?

[billddrummer]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

And in other news, I'm so FAT in my avatar! Time to UPGRADE!!!!

[billddrummer]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

Hi again,

The car referenced in the earlier posts has a new owner--traded it just over a year ago for the red Azera.

Paint pen from the dealer has a brush I'd estimate as a 1 (much too wide for most chips). If investing in smaller brushes, I recommend camel's hair brushes because the bristles form a point when wet, which will limit the amount of paint delivered to the surface.

The pen has clear coat preloaded, eliminating the need to invest in a separate bottle.

Almost time for the first correction cycle of the year--weather has been dicey still, even this late in the season.

[Comeonnow]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

Wow....amazing..I should have read this before I wet sand on my car

[amblin83]

Re: Chip and scratch repair

I personally prefer #000 artist's brush, the smallest there is. Cut the very tip off a little to create a very narrow flat surface for easier and more even paint application.

Pearl effect paint is IMO the most difficult to match even using factory original base+CC .. Any chip larger than 0.5mm is basically game over, almost impossible to match the glitter and sheen. Audi pearl effect, especially sepang blue is particularly nasty due to the extra glittering bits in the paint which seem to be floating above the base colors. Heck, even Audi themselves at the factory can't seem to match the panels very well.