Arrrgghhh! Believe it or not I just got my very first rock chip. It's right on top of the headlight flip up. I have XPEL on the nose, and wouldn't you know it the chip is about 1/16th of an inch above it. I've seen touch up kits, but am wondering if anyone has a few tips for me. It's easy to remove the flip up, but I've never done a touch up.

 

I have done touch ups. Paint
shops could not find them. The key
is to take your time, If it does not work out
have a beer ,chill, and start over.
It can work out with patience.
Good luck

 

Dr Colorchip worked great for me...

 

I appreciate the replies. What I'm specifically looking for is the process. Do I use 1000, 1500, or 2000 grit sandpaper with a small sanding block? What about adding clear? What kind of final process do you do? Can it be done by hand, or do I need a polisher? And what kind of polish do I use? I'm a total novice at this. The closest I've come to doing something like this was refurbishing a Targa top.

 

Dr.Color Chip is by far the best touch-up method I've ever used...done correctly you'll never see the repair...

 

Dr. Color Chip is a great way to repair a chip. Even in black, blemishes are damn near impossible to see. I would not sand, or try and spray a chip - especially if you're a novice. Chances are it will never look right.... Good luck, though - chips suck!

 

I’ve repaired several stone chips using this process. They all came out looking great. The Duplicolor rattle can torch red matched my Torch Red car perfectly. Before you start this process spray something with the spray you buy to make sure they are a good color match. Next clean the area with a good solvent (I use Prepsol available where auto paints are sold. )
Spray a small amount of paint into spray can cover. Take a small craft brush to place paint into the chip. Slightly overfill. After it is dry use a small piece of sandpaper wrapped around a flat piece of wood or hard plastic. I start with 1500 paper, the go to 2000 grit. Once it’s flat use a medium compound to smooth any sanding marks and to bring back gloss to the area. Next take a polish to the area to complete getting the gloss back. You can do all this by hand. I then use a buffer with polish to go over the entire panel to get a uniform gloss. If your cars finish is not in great shape you may want to go over the entire panel with a medium grit clear coat safe compound before using the polish on the entire panel. There are many Youtube videos showing this process. I learned how to do this while I was working at a body shop over 50 years ago. Works with any type of paint.

 

Another vote for Dr Colorchip. By far the best and easiest way to fix rock chips I have used over many, many years of trying different methods.. Simple to use with easy follow directions and the results are invisible repairs on my black C5. You can find them on the interweb. Helpful folks who will answer any questions you have and fast delivery.

 

Agree withGrampi50, follow the instructions, take your time.....you will be pleased....ask me how I know.............

 

How long does the touched up area need to cure before hitting it with the sanding block?

 

I’ve never had to wait more than two hours. It depends on temperature and humidity. When you start sanding you will know immediately if it is not dry. When you start sanding go easy at first. If it is not dry enough the sand paper will feel like it’s sticking to the paint.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. It's much appreciated.

 

Gotta love Murphy. Been there, done that...

 

Seems like chips always happens right above a protected area on the car. Thanks to Bubba1951 for the procedure he uses.