Im not sure if I can post the link to the product but my XKR is now mechanically perfect, so I have found some other things to correct.
I have a few chips on the paint that annoy me. I would like to get rid of them. These kits have decent reviews and from the YouTube videos they seem easy to do even for a newbie like me. Has anyone here ever used them?

 

I have. They work somewhat ok. Don’t expect miracles. Since you are using touchup paint to fix a base coat/clear coat paint on the car, there will always be a slight mismatch even in the best of applications. But that is not easy so most likely you'll have a slight noticeable mismatch. But its still better than the chip (unless you have a ton of chips in a small area bc then it could look polkadotted)

One of the problems I found is that when you apply the original touchup paint they want you to squeegee it off to try to level it with the original paint but then once it dries it shrinks and creates a small indentation. So then you will apply some more touch up paint and try to squeeze it again and you’ll get a level mismatch and at some point you give up and just try to polish it out but it’s never perfect.

It’s almost as easy as just applying the touch up paint so its higher than the original paint and then using extremely fine grit sandpaper (800 grit or finer and up to 2000 or 3000 grit in steps) with a flat sanding block and wet sanding it down to flatten it and then polish it

In every case you’ve got to be aware that the harnesses of the original paint as compared to the touch up paint will never be equal so one will sand faster than the other so you have to go really slow with light pressure and hope for the best

 

Thank you for explaining it so well 🙂

 

Good dealers deal with this all of the time. You best bet would be to either go to a good dealer or a detailer or look for "chip repair" guys. A good one will make them disappear. If you do it you will always see the results.

 

Back when I used to dab paint in chips, I'd leave a bit excess paint and let it dry. I'd then VERY carefully sand what I could down as level to the surface as I dare, then polish the crap out of it. Tedious, but I think it looks better than a divot.

 

+1

I've tried the kits ............ and then understood my limitations. I can paint a full panel but chip repair is a different skill. When the "Chip's Away" man does them, the repair is invisible.

Graham

 

For those who can do it, it is quite a skill. About 20 years ago the nearest main dealer had a mobile specialist. After seeing his work on other cars, I had him do my S-Type R. Had both scratches and chips and he made them virtually invisible. He had a large assortment of paints, tools, brushes, etc and a very skilled hand. Sadly not long after he moved off and they never were able to find a suitable replacement.

 

I have a few stone chips I was going to have dealer touch up when they mount the summer wheels in April.

Do you know what is a ball park price per chip?

 

Im not even going to bother with the dealer. Very expensive

 

It is an enjoyable and very time consuming past time. Patience is the optimum word.
Firstly, I use the finest artist’s paint brush. Get a few of them.
Then, I apply the paint in a few distinct periods, 24 hours between them.
1st application is the colour but not so much paint as to fill the 1/3 of the chip.
2nd application is a 50/50 blend of paint and clear coat. Just fill to 2/3 of the depth of the chip.
3rd application is strictly clear coat. Slightly above the level of the paint.
Now you can begin the very fine wet sanding and polishing...

anyone else want to share their tricks??

 

Sounds like a good approach . How about some before and after pictures so we can see the results.

 

another make work project ?! ;-)

I may take this on this weekend.

Cheers.

 

There was a detailed article in Skinned Knuckles magazine years ago. The main take away was to use blended paint from a body shop, it can be lightened to allow for fading. Apply it with a tooth pick. Dip the tip of the toothpick into the paint, capillary action will cause the paint to run up the tip. Then apply the tip of the tooth pick into the center of the cleaned and prepared chip. This prevents applying too much paint at one time. The author would tape a small cardboard box over the repaired area to keep dust from settling. Let this dry completely, usually overnight. Then apply paint again until a slight build up is achieved. Use each toothpick only once. Then he would use a wet paint nib file to carefully level the area. Then sanding with fine sandpaper and polish.

 

What grades of sandpaper do you recommend for this?

 

Dunno about Guy, but I use 1000, 1500 then 3000. Wet, of course.

 

Also use a little dish soap in the lubricating water. Lightly rub the (wetted) sandpaper against another similar grit piece to knock potential high parts down. I do this with the sandpapers on a flat surface like a piece of glass.

 

I used the kit offered by "Dr ColorChip" chip repair system on my driver side door. They offered great customer service and answered all my questions.

I had two "parking lot chips" that caught my attention every time I approached the car. Couldn't "not" see them.

The process was easier that I had anticipated and I was pleased with the result. It's good enough that I have to really try to find the repair locations.

Good luck.