Repair Your Chipped Car Paint in Simple and Easy Steps

Repair the paint chip on your car today before it grows into a larger expense.

Fix Small Chips

This is a common stone chip that you can be able to repair with this technique. Even in the event that the car paint chip is one-fourth as large as a nickel, you'll still be able to repair it.

Too Far Gone

This is a paint chip that should be repaired years ago.

• The steel inside the chip has begun to rust and lift the paint around the edges. The solution we present here is for new chips that haven't begun the process of rusting.
• If you notice the appearance of rust or a scratch alongside your chip, you'll have to make an even more difficult fix.

Clean the Paint Chips

• Remove the chip of paint using soap and water, and then dry it using the softest cotton that you have.
• Apply a small amount of polishing compound used in automotive applications on the paint chip to soften any rough edges.

Pro tip: A dozen or so swirls will suffice. A lot of rubbing can damage the clearcoat on the paint, resulting in an unclean mess.

Clean the Finish

Cleanse the finish with denatured alcohol.

• The alcohol can remove any remaining dirt or wax.

Pro tip: Avoid flooding surfaces with alcohol. A few wipes with a damp, soft cloth are enough.

Apply the Primer

Apply a small amount of primer to the bottom of a match.

• Fill in the entire area of the car paint chip close to the edge of the paint.
• Allow the primer to dry first for at least half an hour.

Get Your Touch-Up Paint and Primer

If you're not sure of the color code for your vehicle, you'll need to look it up on the vehicle's identification plate.

• If you locate the number you want, purchase one small bottle of paint for touch-ups. If you're cannot locate the right color online, ask the dealer. Dealers usually offer colors for the vehicles they sell.

Tips: In the event that you only find a spray paint that has the correct color number, you can make use of that paint by spraying just a tiny amount of paint inside the cap, then applying it using an artist's brush.

• Also, buy a small bottle of primer for your auto.

Paint the Chip

Place a small amount of paint on top of your primer coat.

• Always check the shade on a piece of paper to be sure that it's the same color. This test can also provide you with a sense of how much paint you can apply to the brush for application.
• Apply another coat approximately an hour after. Allow the paint to dry for a few days, then rub it out gently with a polishing compound, aiming to smooth around the edge of your repair.

The best advice is to avoid doing this repair under the hot sun or when the temperature is lower than 50°F.