Repairing Stone Chips
Discussion
I waited before replying to this as I was really hoping that someone more experienced would offer you some wisdom. But perhaps I can start the ball rolling by passing on some advice I received last week on the same subject.
- use ultra fine body filler to get the scratch/chip level then apply some touch up paint a layer at a time until it's level.
- throw away the brush that comes with touch up paint and buy a good quality artist's brush instead. This will prevent shallow grooves appearing from the coarse bristles of a cheap brush
- I was also told that a consistent temperature is important too - some use hairdryers to very gently speed up the drying process. Otherwise leaving it to dry in these currently fluctuating UK temperatures won't do you any favours (or so I'm told)
- try this on an inconspicuos chip/scratch and try to perfect your technique before going for the nasty, highly visible ones!
I haven't tried this yet, but will be doing so next week. Let's hope I got this right eh?!
- use ultra fine body filler to get the scratch/chip level then apply some touch up paint a layer at a time until it's level.
- throw away the brush that comes with touch up paint and buy a good quality artist's brush instead. This will prevent shallow grooves appearing from the coarse bristles of a cheap brush
- I was also told that a consistent temperature is important too - some use hairdryers to very gently speed up the drying process. Otherwise leaving it to dry in these currently fluctuating UK temperatures won't do you any favours (or so I'm told)
- try this on an inconspicuos chip/scratch and try to perfect your technique before going for the nasty, highly visible ones!
I haven't tried this yet, but will be doing so next week. Let's hope I got this right eh?!
I assume we are talking the leading edges / faces of the front clam.
Is it just chips in the paint top coat, or chips right through the paint?
If it just chips in the paint top surface you will have a never ending job. Everytime you drive the car you will here stones and rubbish bouncing off the body.
It is saddening I know. But I think many owners get the front clam blown over when it starts to look tatty. I was thinking of doing mine but then went and did something that required a new clam (front and rear!) so problem solved.
If it is chips in the body, might be worth your while to get a specialist to take a look. For the cost, it could save you a lot of hassel and time.
>> Edited by 135sport on Friday 1st November 13:37
Is it just chips in the paint top coat, or chips right through the paint?
If it just chips in the paint top surface you will have a never ending job. Everytime you drive the car you will here stones and rubbish bouncing off the body.
It is saddening I know. But I think many owners get the front clam blown over when it starts to look tatty. I was thinking of doing mine but then went and did something that required a new clam (front and rear!) so problem solved.
If it is chips in the body, might be worth your while to get a specialist to take a look. For the cost, it could save you a lot of hassel and time.
>> Edited by 135sport on Friday 1st November 13:37
I would imagine you could get a front end re-spray for around £300 or less. Might seem expensive, but when you consider the time invloved, and the fact you will get a good colour match, and it will tidy the car up no end, all done by prefessionals.
Before I dinged mine, I had at least one chip in every 5mm square area of the front clam from the ground up back around half the length of the front clam. Looked a mess and felt like sandpaper.
Lakeside Engineering might be able to give you a figure over the phone (from their experience) as they handle many similar requests.
Before I dinged mine, I had at least one chip in every 5mm square area of the front clam from the ground up back around half the length of the front clam. Looked a mess and felt like sandpaper.
Lakeside Engineering might be able to give you a figure over the phone (from their experience) as they handle many similar requests.
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