Nothing could be worse than finding the exterior of your car marred by an unsightly scratch or gash. The good news is that, while more serious instances of damage should be addressed by a professional, you may be able to touch up minor chips yourself. If you would like to improve your DIY auto body repair skills, read on. This article will outline useful tips for repairing paint chips properly.

Cleaning

Many car owners succumb to the incorrect idea that all they have to do to repair a paint chip is slap a new coat of paint on it. After all, they reason, this covers up any bare metal, while also restoring a proper aesthetic finish. Unfortunately, things rarely work out so well. That is due to the fact that, even if you cannot easily see it, corrosion has likely already begun to affect the damaged area. This corrosion will continue to spread even with paint on top of it, eventually leading to even worse problems.

To avoid having to deal with the same problem again down the line, it is important to start out by cleaning the chipped paint as thoroughly as you can. First use soap and water, making sure to dry the damaged area completely. Now use a tiny dab of the substance known as polishing compound to smooth over any rough edges of the surrounding paint. Be sure that all of the compound has been removed before moving to the next step.

Priming

A coat of primer is essential in ensuring that the paint is able to form a tight and long-lasting bond. Don't be tempted to skip this step--even when dealing with the tiniest of nicks and chips, it will act to ensure the best possible results. Use a small paintbrush--or, if the damaged area is especially minute, the tip of a toothpick--to apply a thin coat of primer. Be sure to let it dry completely before applying your paint.

Matching Paint

The world of automotive paints is vast, often confusing, and populated with a mind-boggling array of similar hues. Selecting a paint based on its name alone is a sure-fire way to end up with a conspicuously mismatched repair. Instead, consult your car's VIN plate to determine the precise paint code for the hue used to color your car. In the event that your VIN plate does not display the color code, try contacting the manufacturer instead. They should be able to consult a list of models and years to determine the precise paint code used on your vehicle.

For more information, contact an auto shop like Lombard Body & Fender Inc.

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