10 November 2015
 Categories: , Blog

If a rock flew off of the highway and took a chip out of your vehicle's paint, then you need to take steps to fix it as soon as possible. If you do not fix chips and scratches in your car's paint, then they will let water come into contact with the metal that your car is made of. Water contact causes steel to oxidize and form rust. 

Thankfully, you can fix the paint chip on your vehicle yourself at home using a car paint repair kit that you can purchase at your automobile's dealership or a local auto parts store. Each type of paint repair kit is a bit different, however, the process of fixing the paint chip is generally the same:

Step 1: Sand the Damaged Paint Area's Metal to Remove Oxidization

In order for the paint to stick to the existing metal and paint on your vehicle, the chipped area needs to be thoroughly sanded. The metal needs to be sanded to remove any oxidization or rust that has formed by the metal being exposed to the air and weather. The paint needs to be sanded in order to rough-up its surface and give the new paint the maximum surface area to adhere to.

Sanding will produce a dust that causes problems with repair paint's ability to attach itself to your vehicle as well. For this reason, you should always wipe down any areas that you have sanded to remove the paint dust and rust particles.

Step 2: Apply Touch-Up Paint to Fill the Chipped Area

Apply the touch-up paint into the chipped area on your vehicle's paint. Use thin layers and build up the paint into the chip over time if necessary. Paint the area until it is a bit higher than the other paint areas on the car. This will allow you to sand the paint and get it very flush with the rest of the paint job.

Step 3: Sand the Touch-Up Paint to Match the Older Paint

Using a wet-dry sandpaper with a small grit, wet the sandpaper with water and sand the new paint until it blends in with the paint that surrounds it. Wipe away the paint dust when you are finished to give the clear coat a nice smooth surface to adhere to.

Step 4: Spray Clear Coat on the Chip Repair Area

Using a light touch, spray the clear coat layer over the new paint and allow it to dry. Do not apply too much clear coat spray or it will be seen when the sun shines on the car in the future.

Step 5: Clean and Wax Your Car to Protect the New Paint

Finally, when the clear coat is dry, wash and wax your vehicle. Using a high-quality automotive car wax will ensure the best protection for your car's paint.

For further assistance, contact a local outlet, such as Space Age Auto Paint Store.