well being as spring is coming I have about 15 - 20 chips in my paint some deep some not I spoke with my insurance agent and this is covered by comprehensive claim. That being said what is the best way to go about fixing these I have them on the front bumper and roof line so 2 different colors. Does this require a repaint of the whole surface? or just a touchup?

 

Well there are many DIY kits, but none will do as good a job as a repaint. I would say the whole bumper should be repainted--it's easy to remove and paint. The roof line can probably be blended successfully--especially since you're not staring it it all the time. =)

Generally when you paint a panel, you want to paint it to a seam line so you don't see where the "blending" or fading of paint into existing paint ends. Unfortunately there isn't any seam line on the roof.

 

What if you have one or two chips? Do any of the systems out there rise above the others?

I have a fairly deep chip along the edge of the strip behind the bonnet (where the wipers are). Unfortunately, I can't take a good picture of it due to lack of camera horsepower, but take my word for it....it looks like a mega zit on the otherwise perfect face.

 

I think I've resigned myself to the fact that a few rock chips are going to be a normal part of life for a daily driver in this part of the country. Just too much crap being applied to road surfaces in wintertime. It has even altered the way I pass trucks on divided highways (hang back an eighth-mile or so until clear, then zoom past as fast as possible/feasible to minimize time spent in the vulnerable chip zone).

That said, I can't envision going thru a full repainting process on an annual basis even if it's just the bumper skin (my chips are equally distributed on the bumper and the front of the bonnet). I will continue to touch up the chips as best I can and just deal with the surface imperfections. After a few years, when the appearance of the touch-up pock marks reach my threshold of pain, I may go with some repainting. For my touch ups, I'm considering investigating, and perhaps investing in, some Langka because I'm not liking the blobs...

[As for windshield scratches, I've just managed to successfully mitigate these hated imperfections during a polishing session yesterday, but this is OT and fodder for a more appropriate thread.]

 

Personally I have had really good success with Langka. Check out their website for the instructions. Only downside is that the chemicals smell real bad and will make you loopy after a bit (did I say downside?).

 

I've used it--and continue to use it as a solvent for doing touchups, but they could really improve the success rate of the product if they only included a piece of fabric with the kit that they tell you you need to use their product with.

I've tried t-shirts, various towels of different knits, and I've done some decent repair that would have been hard without Langka, but I've always had to polish afterwards from all the scaping that occurs during the blob removal.

They used to have--not sure if they still do--a video showing how easy it is to use Langka--they had a young girl doing the touchup blobs---course they didn't show her removing the blobs either...

Richard

 

I've had great luck with the Autosharp touch up pens from Atlantic British ....
On my Landrover proper prep and a little time made all but my worst disappear totally the worst was barely noticeable but still showed slightly on close look...

 

I just use a piece of old 100% cotton t-shirt. I usually do the chip repair just before polishing the MINI. I found there are two tricks; first you need to let the touch-up paint dry for at least a couple of hours so it is not too easy to remove and second you should remove the paint blob deep enough to leave room for the clear coat blob. Again waiting a couple of hours for the clear coat to dry before hitting it with the Langka. Like I said before I have had pretty good success using this product.

 

I've never used it but I saw an ad for Dr. ColorChip in Roundel magazine. Looks promising from the website...

 

The web page shows it including a Microfiber Cloth with the kit...is that new?

Do you use clear coat with the pen? This part confuses me. Dealer wants 30 bucks for the touch-up kit (paint+clear coat), the pen is only $20 and everyone that has used it raves about it. Then there's Langka, that includes a paint prep and paint sealer (is that the same as Clear Coat?).

Either way, I got a good-sized chip that went to the metal I need to fix...

 

The cloth that comes with the Langka kit is for removing the "paint sealer" which is really just wax - not a clear coat. They still recommend using a piece of old cotton t-shirt material for the blob removal.

 

This is a great method for fixing nicks and scratches. I have done this to many cars.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32625

A little bit of time and labor on your part, but the results are excellent!!

 

I don't think there is a better way that this. This is how I do it as well. The only thing to add would be if you've got a big chip that goes down to metal, you'll want to fill it first with spot putty.

Richard

 

Here are some examples of chipped paint--the owner was installing a fire extinguisher in his Porsche--had the seats out, and when he was putting them back, accidentally dropped them on his door sill. This is the resulting damage. I used spot putty to fill them back in, then applied touch up paint, wetsanded, compounded, and polished it for a nearly perfect match.


These are magnified at 50X. To the naked eye it just look like some paint is missing. Spot putty was applied to the second picture.