Chip away or respray...?

[neveratt]

Look what I've done.... Refuelling on Saturday and juggling the nozzle and the petrol cap I dropped the latter and did this chip. I called in the Chip chap today and he said there was nothing he could do as the whole rear wing bit would need re-spraying, something about there being no where to ‘cut’ into.
I have no reason to doubt him but has anybody any other views on this?
Thanks Neil

[robgt]

What an absolute Bugger! Suggest you try another chips away company. I acquired a fair old chip on my last Aston, despite the plastic coating. I was told a £1000 respray of the bonnet was needed. When the car went in for Px they used a chips away company so it will be worth shopping around. Good luck.

[paddy328]

The chips away types would be cheaper and probably localise painting needed. However, the quality of the paint they use is inferior to that of a bodyshop and there is also a chance you will be able to notice the difference in the finish.

The bodyshop is more expensive, and will have to paint more of the car, but will do a better job using better materials.

Or leave it until it starts to annoy you.

[Steve jm]

Hi Neil,

IMO the Smart Chip repairs are not as robust as the conventional repair methods, but fair play to your chip chap as he is saying that the whole panel needs to be fully lacquered (clear coat) instead of blowing in around the repair/coloured area.

We would always take the lacquer to a natural egde, therefore leaving a continuous smooth/polished surface.

Steve
Chiltern Aston

[michael gould]

Personally I would buy some touch up paint and apply with a tiny brush by dabbing it in.....I have used chips away and was very unhappy with the result

[drcarrera]

I'd go along with what MG said. Get a touchup kit (paint/lacquer) and try to sort it out yourself. If you don't like the end result you can get it done professionally, which you'd have to have done anyway. So at most you'll waste a bit of your time and the small cost of a touchup kit.

ETA - Bad luck, by the way!

[yeti]

I agree with Michael - touch up kit unless you are really anal about every mark on the car. Stuff happens sadly

[Luckyluciano]

I agree with the touch up kit.
I did noticed you said you where juggling the filler cap. You do know there is a hole in the hinge are that you can place the
filler cap in safely so you don't have to hold it?

[jakesmith]

michael gould said:

Personally I would buy some touch up paint and apply with a tiny brush by dabbing it in.....I have used chips away and was very unhappy with the result

Refreshingly practical views on here, I was expecting a torrent of people saying a bare metal 3 panel respray would be all that would do.

Although your eyes will be drawn to it every time you fill up for a few weeks until you forget about it, only you will know if it's worth £1000 or so to completely sort out properly. FWIW I have used a variety of chips away type places, always seeking personal recommendations, and usually they are excellent. As others have said, see how good you can get it yourself & then if you have to get it done properly, you haven't really lost out.

I find that with very minor jobs in the car & @ home, I am less fussy if I have done them myself & have had the satisfaction of doing a little job & saving some cash.

ETA that chip is microscopic, seriously, sand it carefully, touch it in & forget about it!

Edited by jakesmith on Tuesday 13th March 22:14

[Jockman]

jakesmith said:

...ETA that chip is microscopic...

+1

Get yourself a red marker pen

[neveratt]

Thank you everybody I really appreciate the guidance.

I've booked the Chips Away chap to sort it on Wednesday. He was honest enough to tell me he couldn't do the full thing but would be able to touch it up which is what has been suggested here....so that's the plan.

Longer term we’ll sort out the proper re-spray when I've learnt to refuel properly. I am aware that the fuel cap has a holder but sometimes that sucker just doesn’t want to sit in there….

[michael gould]

I use my touch paint often when I scrape the spoiler......get one bought

[neveratt]

Could anybody tell me how to get the paint colour code for the car, its Torro Red (also seen it spelt Toro Red). A quick google describes removing bits to get to a sticker which seems a bit extreme and potentialy I might get my hands dirty...

[alxce]

neveratt said:

Could anybody tell me how to get the paint colour code for the car, its Torro Red (also seen it spelt Toro Red). A quick google describes removing bits to get to a sticker which seems a bit extreme and potentialy I might get my hands dirty...

According to the DuPont site it is AST1302D as shown at this link:
http://cdb.dupontrefinish.info/en/AdvancedSearch.m...

Added DuPont site and how to find the paint code in the engine compartment to the FAQs (and tidied up some formatting).

Edited by alxce on Tuesday 20th March 15:28

Edited by alxce on Tuesday 20th March 15:50

[DAMIT]

alxce said:

According to the DuPont site it is AST1302D as shown at this link:
http://cdb.dupontrefinish.info/en/AdvancedSearch.m...

Added DuPont site and how to find it under the bonnet to the FAQs (and tidied up some formatting).

Edited by alxce on Tuesday 20th March 15:28

Yep thats the code I found on the sticker when I got my hands dirty! Toro RED

[neveratt]

Thanks Alan/DAMIT I really appreciate that.