OK, I got my 2004 vert to drive and enjoy very much. But I now have a couple of stone chips in the hood that a bra would not have protected. Being new what is the best way for diy to repair?

All advice welcome

Ray

 

Take some fine grit sandpaper (2000 grit) and use a "hole punch" to punch 10-15 holes in the sand paper. Take the "sand holes" and glue them to the eraser on a pencil.

Take the sanding-pencil and place the eraser/sand paper on the ding. Gently TWIST the pencil between your fingers , rolling it back and forth. that will allow you to sand a very specific area without scuffing the good paint that surrounds the ding. Once you've "scuffed/sanded" the rock ding, use some alchohol and clean the chip thoroughly.

Get your favorite rock chip/touch-up paint (from the dealer or wherever) and then grab a TOOTH PICK. Dip the toothpick into the paint and get a nice little "tear drop" of paint on it (nothing HUGE, just a nice tiny little droplet) Gently and carefully hold the tear-droplet of paint near the rock chip. The natural physics of the paint will cause the droplet to "grab" onto the rock chips surface making a nice smooth "fill in". Carefully pull the tooth pick away. It should leave a slightly raised bubble on the vehicle. That's fine. Leave it be. Now go ahead and repeat for the remaining rock dings. Let the paint dry (based on recommended drying times on the paint label) or you can use a hair dryer to expedite the drying.

Once the paint is COMPLETELY dry. It's time to pull out your "sanding pencils" again. Using the same technique as before, use the eraser/sandpaper to gently sand down the contour of the touch-up paint. As I said, place the eraser onto the newly repaired, and slightly contoured paint and GENTLY twist the pencil back and forth between your index finger and thumb. That will server 2 purposes. It'll smooth out the excess paint, making it flush w/ the good paint and it will help prep it for the clear coat droplet that you're going to add.

Once you've sufficiently sanded down the excess touch up, use the alchohol to clean the area once more. Now it's time for the clearcoat.

Using a very sparing amount, go thru the exact same process as above. After the clearcoat is dry, gently sand, and clean w/ alchohol.

Now you're ready to apply your Zaino (or whatever car care product you use). I recommend practicing on some of the less conspicuous chips first in order to get your technique down. But after a couple of practice dings...you'll be ready to make her look as good as new.

 

Very informative for those of us who are paint challenged. Thanks.

 

You'll end up with a virtually invisible repair especially if your car is a solid color.

 

ebbsnflows:

Very nice write up

A couple of questions:
1. what glue sticks to a rubber eraser
2. where do you get a small bottle of clear coat

Thanks


DH

 

Wish that were true of pewter...
Ed

 

Finger nail polish

 

Some great info thanks

 

Dirty-
1. You can use any popular brand of rubber cement available in the office/school supply section at W-mart or even some good ol' Elmers. Just add a tiny droplet to the smooth back section of the Sanding-holes and "stab" it w/ the pencil eraser. You probably only need 3-4 pencils. Once the sand paper has expired (lost it's abrasiveness) just peel it off the eraser and apply another sanding-hole to it.

2. I've seen Clear-coat touch up sold right along side the touch up paint. If your dealer doesn't have it, try Autozone or Pepboys (or any other place that sells touch up paint). For the most part, "clear coat" is pretty standard and not vehicle-specific.

I'm sorry if my "How to" is confusing. But it's really not complicated. It's basically just using the right house-hold items and applying some common sense more than anything.

 

I'm saving this one, great techniques.

 

Excellent write up! I'll try it if and when I get a chip!

 

Thanks again for your help. I think that I am now more confident to try a chip repair myself. A big forum thanks to Ebbsnfllows for hi help.

Ray

 

Your how to is not confusing at all...you did a great job. And I intend to try it on some of my paint chips


DH

 

If you drive much, it's like dying, it's not a matter of "if", it's matter of "when".
Ed

 

Good stuff except Have your touch up mixed (tint matched)at the body shop.
The Color match touch bottles, are junk and don't match well and will show .

 

Very nice write-up. Thanks.

 

ttt