One of the most irritating and common problems with cars is getting nasty chips on the bonnet caused by loose stones on the road. These stone chips mar the beauty of the car, the faster the speed of the car the deeper the chips. This article highlights ways to repair these annoying stone chips that may even cause your car to rust.
- Using a solvent cleaner is a good option, especially if the chip is too deep and in the metal. If you let this chip be, then it becomes highly likely that it will start to rust. Cleaning is important since the new paint will not be able to grab onto the dust grime and film. Chip cleaning must be done accordingly by the use of a wire brush or sharp metal knife but be cautious not to deepen the damage. Scrape away at the rust until none of it remains. Next, coat the regions with any rust inhibitor like kurust or curite etc. these and other similar products inhibit rust formation.
- Normally, an undercoat is sprayed before the main coat and for a specialized finish, lacquer is applied. When touching up make sure that the layering needs to be replicated. It is often seen that certain touch-up paints are blobby try using thinner paints as they will make the job easier.
- Apply a thin layer of base coat. Choose a light coloured coat if the top coats are light coloured but you can use any colour tone for darker paints. Work gently avoiding any smudges and removing any excess paint. It requires approximately an hour to dry off.
- Again, avoid not leaving any excess paint and build the coat in 3-8 thin layers. The paint should be relatively higher than in the surrounding area.
- Wait for 3-4 hours after the application of the main coat and then start smoothening the surface with a grit wet and dry paper. Do this carefully and bring the paint to the same level as the surrounding paint. Now gradually rub over the area with rubbing the paste in order to blend the paint with the surrounding paint.
- In case the paint is metallic then it requires a lacquer coat. Apply the coat and rub again with dry paper or sanding block then repeat with a rubbing paste.