How To Patch And Seal Small Paint Chips
Does your car have a few small, unsightly chips and things that you've always wanted to fix? You always have the option of taking your car into an auto body repair expert, or you can try and do the work yourself. If your paint chips are just small, and there is no rust formation, you can probably do the work yourself, even if you don't have any experience. This article explains how to determine whether the project will be manageable and the best way to patch or seal small paint chips.
Fixing the Problem Early
First of all, any auto paint repair is much easier if there is no rust formation. Usually, the longer you wait, the bigger the risk of having rust underneath the paint chip. It is important that you make these repairs as soon as you notice them so the project doesn't become more expensive and difficult to handle. If your paint chip is smaller than a quarter, you can probably fix it without having to use any patch or auto body filler. Usually, just a little little bit of factory touch up paint will work just fine for repairs this small. Unless you have experience using auto body filler, you should probably let a professional handle your job if your paint chip is bigger than this. Auto body filler is thick and sticky, so it is a little difficult to work with. It also dries very fast and becomes extremely hard. So, shaping and sanding your patch can be very time consuming it you don't have the right tools.
Using Touch Up Paint
If you have decided that your holes are so small that they don't need body filler, you can go ahead and fix them with just touch up paint. You should definitely buy your touch up paint directly from the dealership. This is the best way to ensure that you don't have any issues matching the paint color. If you use a third-party product, you are more likely to have color matching issues. Most dealerships will have their full catalog of colors on hand. The small touch up paint cans are very easy to use. In fact, most even include a small brush that is built into the lid.
Basically, you paint it on a using a very sparing amount. Even small chips will usually require 2 or 3 coats for complete coverage and a smooth finish. Here's some additional reading on fixing paint chips for your car!