Most people are a little intimidated by doing auto bodywork. Of course, if you have large scrapes or dents that have compromised your car surface, they will probably need to be professionally repaired. However, if you have a few small paint chips, you should not be afraid of trying to fix them yourself. With a few basic tools and supplies, you can fix most paint chips and prevent further deterioration that could become more difficult and costly to fix if left unattended. This article explains how to fix small paint chips.

What You Need

The most important thing you will need for this job is touch up paint. If you go directly to your dealership, there is a better chance that you will be able to find the exact paint for your make and model of car. You will also need a few simple supplies for the job. Autobody sandpaper is vital for prepping the chip before you paint it. You will also need some premixed body filler if there is any indentation on your paint chip. Finally, you need a wool buffing attachment for a power drill.

Sanding and Prepping the Chip

The first step is to lightly sand the chipped area. It is okay if you send a little bit around the perimeter of the chip. The purpose of this is to actually make the surface a little rougher. This is important because it creates a service that the paint and/or body filler can stick better to. This is very easy because you just need to use a small corner of the sandpaper and one finger to lightly sand. Next, if there is a small indentation, you should fill it in with body filler. Using premixed body filler is definitely the way to go for small paint chips. This comes in convenient tubes that are perfect for small jobs.

Painting the Chip

The application of the touch up paint is equally simple. There should be a small, fine brush included with the paint can that is perfect for small paint chips. When you apply the paint you are really dabbing it on instead of brushing. Since the auto paint will already have sealant mixed into it, you don't need to add any extra chemicals. The final step is to buff out the surface with the wool attachment. This simply smooths and evens out the paint finish, helping it blend in.

For more information, talk to an auto repair shop.