Repair Your Chipped Car Paint in Easy Steps

Repair the paint chip in your car today before it grows into a bigger cost.

Fix Small Chips

This is a common rock chip that is easy to be able to repair with this technique. Even when the paint chip on your car is as large as one-fourth of a nickel, it is still possible to fix it.

Too Far Gone

This is a paint chip that could have been fixed long ago.

• The steel inside the chip has begun to rust, lifting paint along the edges. The solution we present here is for new chips that haven't yet begun the process of rusting.
• If you notice an area of rust, or a scratch alongside your chip, you'll have to make the more difficult repair.

Clean the Paint Chips

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

Pro tip: A dozen of swirls should accomplish the task. The excessive rubbing could harm the clearcoat that covers the paint and create an unclean mess.

Clean the Finish

Cleanse the finish using denatured alcohol.

• The alcohol can remove any remaining grime or wax.

Pro tip: Avoid flooding your surface with alcohol. A few wipes with a damp, soft cloth is enough.

Apply the Primer

Apply a little primer using the back end of a match stick.

• Fill in the space within the paint chip of your car, only touching any edges of the paint.
• Let the primer dry for at least half an hour.

Get Your Touch-Up Paint and Primer

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

• If you locate the number then, you can purchase an inexpensive bottle of paint to touch up. If you're unable to locate the right color online, make sure you check with the dealer. Dealers usually have colors that match the cars they sell.
• Tips: In the event that you only find a spray paint with the same color code, you can make use of the paint by spraying just a small amount of paint inside the cap and then applying it using an artist's brush.

You can also buy a small jar from an auto primer.

Paint the Chip

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

• Always examine the shade on a piece of paper first to ensure it's the same color. This test can also give you an idea of the amount of paint you should apply to the brush for application.
• Apply a second coat around after an hour. Allow the paint to set for a couple of days before you rub it out gently using a polishing compound to smooth around the edge of your repair.

A word of caution: Do not attempt this repair under a hot sun or when the temperature is lower than 50°F.