Posted in another forum also:

I recently picked up a used 08 Mini Cooper in Lightning Blue with a pretty good amount of rock chips in the hood. I took it to a local auto body place that quoted me at about 800 to redo the hood, which is basically out of the question for me - however, I still do want to at least cover up these chips to avoid the hood rusting, and not look terrible at the same time.

From what I've seen thus far my process will more or less be like this:

- Clean the car
- Remove any flaking paint etc.
- Remove rust/ treat with rust converter
- Lay down primer on the chips
- For small chips, use a mix of OEM paint and paint thinner and a toothpick to fill in the spots, and repeat a few times
- For larger chips, lay down paint with a tiny brush a few coats.
- Allow time between coats.
- Lay down a coat or two of clear coat after that.

Does that sound about right thus far? A lot of questions after that - to smooth/blend a little better, I'd like to wetsand and polish a little - maybe wetsand with like 1500, then 2000, then polish going from rougher to smoother as well. How does this work with clearcoat though? Am I blending the original paint under the clear coat? Need to reapply? Not exactly sure how that works - I imagined clear coat to be a layer on top of the paint, so I'm confused how it works when you try to polish that.

 

bump!

 

I just noticed today that Bavarian Autosport is having a special on a product for rock chips. You might want to check it out.

I have no experience with it, but have a few chips of my own I'd like to fix. Wondering if anyone here has tried the Dr. ColorChip "Road Rash" product?

 

As far as I can tell from what I've read, those products don't really work all that well, at least in terms of a legitimate fix

 

I just did some searching, too. Definitely sounds like your way is going to work out best, especially with the wet-sanding. I did see recommendations of mixing the clear coat with the touch-up paint before application. You might want to look into that

 

Interesting - thanks for the tip, I'll be sure to check that out

 

Dr Colorchip does work if you have run through a sand storm and have millions of little chips... too many to fill individually.

I have also had success with a homemade Lanka process that has you filling the chip, waiting and then using a solution on a cloth, streched over a plastic card. The solution re-softens the chip fill just enough for you to take the top off the "blob" with the cloth covered card.

 

Interesting - I know the method I listed above requires a lot of work, but I think it will be the best option as far as looking as clean as possible goes? I haven't read that great of reviews about the Dr. Colorchip system, not sure about Lanka either? As far as actually restoring the condition of the paint etc.

 

I've used the LANGKA system for years and get pretty good results .. http://www.langka.com/
{take a look at their videos}

but listen to what I said, I've used it for years . . . .

chip repair seems like a small thing but truth is it is art. You are painting something very small and you want not only to match the color but the contour as well....

small art brushes, thinned t/up paint, multiple thin coats and top with clear or use a clear/color mix are all in the equation. AS IS PRACTICE! Try a few of your spots at a time, modify your process and try a few more . . .

I use an airbrush now . . . .

 

If it is blasted, with hundreds of chips, it is best to strip the hood, then prime and paint it.

Dave

 

not blasted lol - don't know where that came from - i'd say there's about 15-20 chips on the hood, <10 around the rest of the body that i'd like to hit. I think this is the most doable outside of getting it done by a shop.. idk

 

I've used The Langka system, it takes some finesse and elbow grease, but you can get very good results. 20 chips would take a while though.

Dave