How to Fill Chipped Car Paint
Chipped car paint is inevitable as small rocks and debris from passing semis or other vehicle hits your car and scratches the paint. Small nicks in the paint become larger as more paint chips off. Fixing chipped paint reduces the likelihood more paint will chip off and also helps prevent rust. Ask your car dealership for paint that matches the make and model of your car, or have paint mixed to match the color. Unmatched paint makes the car look cheap and shoddy.
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Things You'll Need
- Masking tape
- 1,000 to 1,500 wet/dry sandpaper
- Clean cloth
- Lacquer thinner
- Car paint
- Toothpick
- Fine-tipped brush
- Clear coat finish
- Cotton balls
Instructions
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1
Tape off the chipped area with masking tape.
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2
Smooth the edging down around the chip with a 1,000 to 1,500 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Use gentle pressure to smooth the edges.
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3
Clean the chipped area with a clean cloth dabbed in lacquer thinner. Allow it to dry.
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4
Apply a small amount of paint using a toothpick or a fine-tipped brush. Do not layer the paint to build it up. Place only one thin layer and let to dry for two hours.
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5
Apply another small amount of paint to chipped area. Let it dry for two hours. Repeat layering until paint is flush with surrounding paint.
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6
Wait a week or until paint has cured, then rub the area lightly with wet sandpaper to smooth out any bulges from the new paint.
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7
Apply a clear coat finish using a clean cloth to the newly painted area.
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Tips & Warnings
Wait 24 hours between paint applications if the chipped area is large. The deeper the chip, the more applications of paint are needed. Swab excess paint away with a cotton ball dabbed in lacquer thinner.
