How to Repair Stone Chips on Metallic Paint? – Easy Dizzy !

If the stone chips on your car’s paint don't bother you, then probably you're too lazy or don't care about your car at all. However, if you do care about your car right now, I’ll tell you not to call someone else to fix your problem.

Why don’t you just learn how to repair stone chips on metallic paint of your car. You think it's hard? Pfft! I'll make things easy for you, mate.

I’ll give you both causes and cure of the stone chips problem. So, what’s keeping you waiting? Today’s the day you solve your problem.

How Stone Chips Take Place on the Paint?

Tell you what, when it comes to stone chips, you often can't do much to stop that. But knowing the reason is important.

The most commonplace in the car that you'll see stone chips is on the bonnet. Usually, there are gravel and debris which stick with the tires of your car. Actually, when a car is at a higher speed, you’ll find gravel and debris increasing unbelievably, and you know that result when it hits.

It’s quite tough to avoid the stone chips, but it’s not impossible to get it fixed. However, you better do it soon, because things might get worse in the rain.

How to Repair Stone Chips on Metallic Paint?

The three things that you'll need to deal with stone chips are the closest paint match, time, and the steadiness of your hand. After that, all you need is follow some simple steps as I've mentioned below –

Step – 1: Clean Up the Area

Take some soap and water first. Get some white spirit or alcohol and rub the area with them. It’s quite helpful to get rid of the grease. After cleaning the part, let it dry.

Step – 2: Sand Down the Edges

Check out if there’s any raised edge. If you see any, sand it down. You can get rid of the edge with a T-cut as well. Another option to do that is by using very fine grain wet and dry sandpaper. To avoid damaging the adjacent clear coat, make sure you don’t rub it too hard.

Step – 3: Apply the Base Coat

Now it’s time to use the primer or base coat. Don’t think about anything less than a fine brush to do that. You can use a paint pen as well if you like to. Once you’re done, let it dry.

Step – 4: The Paint

Generally, car paint you see on a ride has multiple layers. So, to match up with your current paint job, you need to mimic the same. Maintain thin layers while applying the paint. Once you’re done with one layer, do the other after it’s dried out. Keep it all within the area where you see the damage.

Step – 5: Light Sanding

Now when the paint is finally dry, gently sand it to make it even with the surrounding area. Take nothing but the fine grain and wet sandpaper to do that. But don’t let the other areas get scratched.

Step – 6: Applying Lacquer

The final step is the application of a topcoat or lacquer. This is basically used to seal the repair of the stone chip. Don’t touch it before it’s completely dry.

How to Understand If It’s a Bad Idea to Go for a DIY Repair?

All this time, I've told you how to fix up the stone chips on your metallic paint. But there will be times when you better leave it to the hands of the professionals. So, there are three scenarios when you shouldn't think of going for a DIY repair.

Scenario – 1: Seeing the Base Metal

Don’t think of a DIY repair if you can see the base metal through. This damage is too deep for you to handle all by yourself.

Scenario – 2: Seeing Rust on the Damage

The next scenario is when you see rust on the damage. No matter how high-quality paint you put on that, the paint won’t survive there. So, let the professionals deal with that.

Scenario – 3: Multiple or Bigger Stone Chips

The last one is when you see too many chips or a very large one. The repair method I've shared with you is for when you have to deal with one or two small stone chips. But a bigger one or seeing too many on your bonnet is something that you shouldn't handle on your own.