Repair 7

How to Repair Stone Chips on a Vehicle

Even if you take good care of your car and avoid getting too close to other cars on the roadway, you may still end up with stone chips on the front of your vehicle. These chips happen when car tires throw stones in the road up into the air and into the front of your vehicle. While they may not be noticeable from a distance, you can see them close up. Plus, the chips can leave your car vulnerable to rust.

Instructions

1

Wash your car before you attempt to repair any stone chips. The touch-up paint cannot adhere properly to a dirty surface.

2

Drip a small amount of the touch-up paint into the stone chip if it is very small. If the chip is on the front of your hood, open the hood so the area is horizontal to the ground to avoid running. For chips on your bumper, you may need to use a paint brush to apply thinner layers. Repeat the process until the chip is completely filled with paint.

3

Remove any rust present in a larger chip using a cotton swab dipped in a rust-dissolving product available at an auto parts stores. Rinse out the area with alcohol to remove the product residue.

4

Apply primer to any larger chips that expose the metal. This will help the paint adhere to the metal and seal out any potential rust.

5

Layer on the touch-up paint with the paint brush, allowing each layer to dry completely before making another layer. Continue making layers until the chip is even with the original paint job.

6

Apply a layer of clear coat over the top of the last layer of paint to allow the area to blend in with the rest of your vehicles paint finish.

7

Use the rubbing compound to blend the stone chip area into the rest of the vehicle so it will no longer be noticeable.