Preparing surface for filling rock chips

[Jim 5]

What is recommended?

More specifically, should I use rubbing alcohol or something similar to ensure there's no wax on the surfaces before applying the touch-up paint?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Jim 5]

Anyone?

 

[rriddle3]

Try this - if it's just a small chip, prep the spot with alcohol, tear a paper match out of a matchbook and use the frayed end to apply the small dab of paint. YMMV.

 

[harrydog]

Quote:

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What is recommended?

More specifically, should I use rubbing alcohol or something similar to ensure there's no wax on the surfaces before applying the touch-up paint?

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That's what I do and the paint always adheres extremely well. I just need to learn to make it look good...that's the trick.

 

[harrydog]

I've been meaning to buy one of these but just never get around to it. I'm thinking it would be a little easier to use and might look better.
http://www.autovisuals.com/benefits.asp

 

[Jim 5]

My GM touch up paint came in a pen like that one.

I prefer to make a puddle of it in the bottom of an inverted beer can and then apply it in many fine coats over a day or two with a toothpick.

 

[emory]

This guy has the right idea. Be ready to spend some time on it though. http://www.carcareonline.com/viewarticle.aspx?art=8

 

[harrydog]

Quote:

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This guy has the right idea. Be ready to spend some time on it though. http://www.carcareonline.com/viewarticle.aspx?art=8

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I know it's possible to do something similar to this in only a couple of hours.
Once, when my car was at the dealer for routine maintenance, they put a scratch, right down to the metal, in the driver's door. They sent someone to my house to repair it. I watched him and he basically did the same thing but as I said, it took only about 2 hours. When he was finished, I literally could not tell where the scratch had been.
All car dealers use these guys to repair dent's and scratches on new cars. A good number of new cars sold have had paint repairs done without the buyer ever knowing.

 

[Lazerred1]

Use Prepsol to remove all old wax, etc.

 

[The Critic]

I thought touch-ups were something that is better handled by a professional, not a DIYer?

 

[Jim 5]

Mike,

I'm not sure if you understand how many rock chips we get in a climate where gravel is spread onto the roadways for around 6 months per year.

Filling the rock-chips is a twice-yearly ritual for diligent car owners, that is seldom attended to by professionals. That's true until the hood gets so bad that it's time for a body shop to give it a re-spray. I wish I had taken a picture of my truck hood after a single winter and before filling the chips. You'd be sickened by it.

 

[The Critic]

Maybe you should have it resprayed professionally, then have a 3M "Clear Bra" installed?

 

[Jim 5]

That's generally what we do around here before we get any chips. Problem is that we still get chips on the half of the hood that is closest to the windshield.