Rock Chip Touch-up
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Huntley Illinois
Rock Chip Touch-up
I was at a local car dealer the other day having a recall done and while there I walked around out on the lot. I found a guy fixing rock chips on a used car they were getting ready to put on the lot. I watched him for quite some time while he fixed chips on two late model cars.
What he was doing is very similar to the process for Dr. Color Chip, but alot less expensive. He touched the chip very slightly with the matching touch-up paint and a very small brush. He immediately wiped the spot with a rag moistened with mineral spirits.
The chip was gone! We were in the sun so it was very easy to see the finished chip location. He told me that's what they always do to fix chips and never have a problem.
Has anyone tried fixing a chip using regular touch-up paint and mineral spirits?
What he was doing is very similar to the process for Dr. Color Chip, but alot less expensive. He touched the chip very slightly with the matching touch-up paint and a very small brush. He immediately wiped the spot with a rag moistened with mineral spirits.
The chip was gone! We were in the sun so it was very easy to see the finished chip location. He told me that's what they always do to fix chips and never have a problem.
Has anyone tried fixing a chip using regular touch-up paint and mineral spirits?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Yes I have but I let it dry some before I wiped it off. What this does is put color in the spot but it doesn't fill the hole. But it makes them harder to see.
I found this technique by accident when I was doing some touch up.
I boogered up the spot and then wanted to start over because there was some build up around the spot. What I learned was I could smooth out the edges and the color remained on the spot in the hole.
That's the best I can describe it, sorry.
I found this technique by accident when I was doing some touch up.
I boogered up the spot and then wanted to start over because there was some build up around the spot. What I learned was I could smooth out the edges and the color remained on the spot in the hole.
That's the best I can describe it, sorry.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,763
Likes: 3,281
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Yes I have but I let it dry some before I wiped it off. What this does is put color in the spot but it doesn't fill the hole. But it makes them harder to see.
I found this technique by accident when I was doing some touch up.
I boogered up the spot and then wanted to start over because there was some build up around the spot. What I learned was I could smooth out the edges and the color remained on the spot in the hole.
That's the best I can describe it, sorry.
I found this technique by accident when I was doing some touch up.
I boogered up the spot and then wanted to start over because there was some build up around the spot. What I learned was I could smooth out the edges and the color remained on the spot in the hole.
That's the best I can describe it, sorry.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,391
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From: Orange County CA
The quart of paint thinner I have in my garage says "made with mineral spirits". My guess is that paint thinner will work just fine. (no promises made though) Try it on a place that is hidden first.
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Good information. Will have to give some of these methods a try.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Layton Utah
I use much the same method. I've found that after you let the first coat dry for a few seconds. then you can rub it and reapply another layer etc until you have a smooth finish. The only problem I've had is that sometimes the touch-up paint is not the exact same shade due to sun and weather on the original finish. It should pass an inspection from a couple of feet however. Good luck.
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From: SC
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Yep, the dealership method is used to simply cover up the road chips in order to (re) sell the car. It makes the car look better from a distance, however if you look closely, you can still see the indentations from the chips.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
OK everyone cover their eyes now.
I also wiped down my whole car with thinner as I was trying to get some PO's water spots out. It didn't work so good though.
My problem is I have so many it would take 2 months. But I'm going to work some more on them this winter.
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Oct 30, 2012 at 04:34 PM.