Horrendous stone chips on bonnet

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I picked up some horrible stone chips on my bonnet while driving yesterday. I remember it happening: the noise made me jump.

The trouble is, it’s going to need a new cam at its next service in January, so I’d rather not have to swallow the expense of a bonnet respray as well.

The paint is bog-standard TVR Starmist Blue.

Is there anyone who could do a reasonable touch-up to make it look ‘okay’ until I can justify the expense of a proper job? I’ve had really good results from “ChipsAway” on my other car, but I’m pretty sure they told me they don’t do fibreglass paintwork when I asked. But if there’s a company that can do what ChipsAway can do, but on fibreglass, that’s what I’m after! Or is that impossible due to the nature of fibreglass paintwork?

I’ve tried the DIY touch-up kits, and it always looks dreadful - largely due to my lack of skill.

I’m in Surrey, so a company fairly nearby would be ideal.

Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Thursday 11th November 15:11

[trevalvole]

As it won't rust, one option would be to live with it until you get the whole bonnet resprayed. I'm not very good at touching-up stone chips myself, but found that the purple-coloured 1mm brushes sold on ebay are a big help.

If you still want somebody to touch-up the stone chips, then I don't know where you are in Surrey, but if you are near Farnham you could see whether https://www.bumpsandscuffs.com/ do fibreglass.

[phillpot]

https://chipex.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy-CQleiQ9A...

[Paulprior]

I have used chipex with reasonable results, they recons to put a blob on and then push it into place with your gloves finger before applying the next solution that takes away the excess, but if trying the normal way I was recommended to use the tip of a wooden cocktail stick

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll do a bit of research on those.

At least there is no particular hurry; it’s never going to rust!

[Belle427]

I find these pretty good at applying the paint thinly.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-TEC-91452-Touch-Tip...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Belle427 said:

I find these pretty good at applying the paint thinly.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-TEC-91452-Touch-Tip...

Those look just like the applicators that you get in the ChipEx kits. Useful to know that you can buy them on Amazon for when you inevitably run out.

[Podie]

I feel your pain... have a similar issue with our Griff.

Tempted to have a go myself over the winter and if I cock it up, it's a repaint

[swisstoni]

This is the attitude I adopted when I attempted properly fixing stone chips on my Chim for the first time.

Taking abrasive paper to your pride and joy is quite a step. And there was at least once I’d thought I’d really cocked it up, with great big patches of flatted paint.

But I eventually got it, and the results were truly undetectable. That was starmist too.

Tons of stuff on YouTube.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Well I’m back to the drawing board.

I placed an order for a kit, quoting the colour name (Starmist Blue) plus two different codes that I found - 4YJ9B and 188.

And within 15 minutes I received a refund, because they say they can’t do that colour.

So, can anybody hazard a guess at what their magic potions actually are? The key thing from the ChipEx kit seemed to be the blending solution, which takes off excess paint from around the chip. What do we think that actually is? From YouTube videos I’ve watched, it looks like a clear bluish liquid - so it’s not simply an abrasive like T-Cut. Could it simply be some kind of spirit?

[Paulprior]

I would guess at a spirit, if you follow the instructions you will have excess paint around the chip, this fluid just seems to remove that, if applied too early it removes the paint you just put in the chip as well, they matched my Cherry Pearl colour quite well

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

In the end I ordered a kit from a company called Fix-A-Chip www.cartouchuppaints.co.uk

The kit I ordered came with the paint itself, a bottle of polishing compound, some lacquer and some brush cleaner. I also opted for a decent artist’s brush, which I’m glad I did because the brushes attached to the bottle tops are hopelessly too thick (as is always the case with touch-up kits). I watched a YouTube video on how to put a sharp point on your brush, and away I went.

I applied three or four very thin coats of paint. I wonder if I should have applied a bit more, but hey. Then I smoothed it a bit using the polishing compound, and I’ve applied one coat of lacquer. I may apply another.

And, well, it’s very far from perfect, but a lot better than results I’ve had in the past. From a few feet away it doesn’t draw attention the way it did previously. The thin brush was key…





I also treated the old girl to a nice new front number plate, because the old one was looking a bit tatty and the EU/GB badge is technically no longer correct (alas!). I took the opportunity to move it down an inch or so so that speed cameras can’t see it er, I mean for better airflow to the rad. It’s surprising how a fresh new number plate really smartens up the whole look of the car!

Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Monday 22 November 15:23

[swisstoni]

Excellent. And now you don’t fear the chip!

[motul1974]

Half of my bonnet is a smart repair. Probably 95% perfect and has been that way for 4 years.