Discovering a paint chip on your car is never a pleasant surprise. While small stone chips are common, larger chips that expose the bare metal can be a more serious issue. These aren’t just cosmetic blemishes; they can lead to rust and further damage if left untreated. If you’re dealing with large chips down to the metal on your car, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through how to repair these chips effectively, whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or considering professional help.
Large stone chips, often found on the hood, fenders, and bumpers, are typically caused by road debris like gravel, stones, and salt kicked up by other vehicles. Highway driving and winter conditions, where roads are often gritted, exacerbate this problem. The impact of these projectiles, especially at higher speeds, can penetrate the paint layers, reaching the metal underneath.
Close-up of a large car paint chip exposing bare metal, highlighting the need for immediate stone chip repair to prevent rust and further damage.
Unlike minor surface scratches, large chips exposing metal require prompt attention. The exposed metal is vulnerable to the elements, particularly moisture and oxygen, leading to rust formation. Repairing these chips quickly is crucial to prevent corrosion from spreading and causing more extensive, costly damage. This guide provides expert advice tailored to handling these more significant paint imperfections.
Identifying Large Chips to Metal: Recognizing the Severity
Before diving into repairs, it’s important to accurately assess the damage. Large chips to metal are more than just superficial paint imperfections. Here’s how to identify them:
- Depth: The key characteristic is the depth of the chip. If you can see bare metal, usually appearing as a silver or grey area within the chip, it’s a chip that has gone through the paint layers and primer.
- Size: While subjective, “large chips” are noticeably bigger than typical pin-prick stone chips. They might be several millimeters or even centimeters in diameter.
- Location: While they can appear anywhere, areas prone to impact like the leading edge of the hood, front bumper, and rocker panels are common spots for larger chips.
- Rust Indicators: Look for any signs of rust already forming within or around the chip. This could be a reddish-brown discoloration. If rust is present, it needs to be addressed before painting.
If your car exhibits these signs, you’re dealing with large chips to metal that need proper repair to protect your vehicle’s bodywork.
Why Repairing Large Chips to Metal is Crucial
Addressing large chips that reach the metal is not just about aesthetics; it’s about protecting the structural integrity and value of your car. Here’s why immediate repair is essential:
- Preventing Rust and Corrosion: Exposed metal is highly susceptible to rust. Moisture, salt, and contaminants can directly attack the bare metal, leading to surface rust that can quickly spread beneath the paint and weaken the metal structure over time.
- Avoiding Costly Future Repairs: Ignoring rust can lead to significant structural damage, requiring extensive and expensive bodywork repairs or even panel replacements in the future. Early intervention with chip repair is a cost-effective preventative measure.
- Maintaining Vehicle Value: Visible rust and unrepaired body damage significantly reduce your car’s resale or trade-in value. Keeping your car’s paintwork in good condition, including addressing chips, helps preserve its value.
- Cosmetic Appearance: Large chips, especially when numerous or in prominent locations, detract from your car’s overall appearance. Repairing them restores the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal and pride of ownership.
DIY Repairing Large Chips to Metal: A Step-by-Step Guide
For car enthusiasts and those comfortable with DIY, repairing large chips to metal is achievable at home. Here’s a detailed guide:
1. Gather Your Supplies:
- Cleaning: Car wash soap, water, microfiber cloths, degreaser (isopropyl alcohol or wax & grease remover).
- Rust Removal (if necessary): Fine-grit sandpaper (320-grit, 400-grit), rust converter or rust remover.
- Filling (for deeper chips): Automotive body filler or primer filler (for leveling).
- Painting: Touch-up paint matching your car’s color code (ensure it’s the correct type – basecoat, clearcoat if required), fine-tipped brushes or applicator sticks, primer touch-up.
- Finishing: Rubbing compound, polishing compound, wax or sealant, blending solution (optional but helpful for smooth transitions).
- Safety: Nitrile gloves, respirator or mask (especially when sanding and spraying).
2. Preparation and Cleaning:
- Wash the Area: Thoroughly wash the area around the chip with car wash soap and water. Rinse and dry completely.
- Degrease: Use a degreaser like isopropyl alcohol or a dedicated wax and grease remover to clean the chip and surrounding paint. This ensures proper paint adhesion.
3. Rust Removal (If Rust is Present):
- Sand Lightly: If there’s surface rust, gently sand it away using fine-grit sandpaper. Be careful not to scratch the surrounding paint. Focus only on removing the rust within the chip.
- Apply Rust Converter: Apply a rust converter to the cleaned metal surface. This chemical treatment neutralizes any remaining rust and prevents further corrosion. Follow the product instructions for application and drying time.
4. Filling the Chip (If Necessary for Depth):
- Apply Body Filler (for deep chips): If the chip is deep, you might consider using a small amount of automotive body filler to bring it level with the surrounding paint. Apply a tiny amount, let it dry, and sand it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. For most large chips exposing metal, primer filler will be sufficient.
- Apply Primer Filler: For leveling and promoting paint adhesion, apply a thin layer of primer filler into the chip. Allow it to dry completely as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Primer filler is often easier to use for chip repair than body filler and is sufficient for most cases.
5. Applying Touch-Up Paint:
- Apply Primer (if using separate primer): If you are using a separate primer touch-up, apply a very thin, even coat of primer to the filled area. Let it dry completely. Some touch-up paints have primer included.
- Apply Base Coat (Color Coat): Shake the touch-up paint thoroughly. Apply the paint in thin, even layers using a fine-tipped brush or applicator stick. Apply just enough paint to fill the chip to slightly above the surrounding paint level as it will shrink as it dries. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick coat to prevent runs and ensure proper drying.
- Apply Clear Coat (if applicable): If your car has a clear coat finish (most modern cars do), and your touch-up paint system includes a separate clear coat, apply 1-2 thin layers of clear coat over the base coat once it’s fully dry. This adds gloss and protection.
6. Leveling and Blending:
- Wet Sand (Optional, for best results): For a perfectly smooth finish, once the paint and clear coat are completely dry (allow sufficient drying time, ideally a few days), you can carefully wet sand the repaired area using ultra-fine grit sandpaper (2000-grit, 2500-grit) to level the touch-up paint with the surrounding factory paint. Use a sanding block and plenty of water as lubricant. This step requires caution and is for advanced DIYers seeking a flawless finish.
- Rubbing Compound: Apply rubbing compound to the repaired area and gently buff using a microfiber cloth or polishing pad. This helps to further level the paint and remove any sanding marks (if wet sanding was done).
- Polishing Compound: Follow with polishing compound to refine the finish and restore gloss.
- Wax or Sealant: Apply a coat of wax or sealant to protect the repaired area and blend it seamlessly with the surrounding paint.
7. Clean Up:
- Dispose of used materials properly.
- Admire your work!
Important DIY Tips:
- Color Matching: Ensure your touch-up paint precisely matches your car’s color code. You can usually find this code on a sticker in your car’s door jamb or owner’s manual.
- Patience is Key: Take your time and allow each layer to dry completely. Rushing the process can lead to poor results.
- Practice: If possible, practice your touch-up technique on a less visible area or a test panel before working on the prominent chip.
- Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area, especially when using solvents, paints, and clear coats.
When to Seek Professional Stone Chip Repair
While DIY repair is suitable for many, there are situations where professional repair is recommended for large chips to metal:
- Extensive Damage: If you have numerous large chips, or the damage is very widespread across multiple panels, professional SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) repair or full respraying might be more efficient and provide a better overall finish.
- Rust Penetration: If rust has deeply penetrated the metal beyond surface rust, professional bodywork might be needed to cut out and replace or properly repair the corroded metal before painting.
- Lack of Confidence or Experience: If you’re uncomfortable with DIY car paint repair, or concerned about achieving a good color match and finish, professional technicians have the expertise and tools to ensure a high-quality repair.
- Valuable or Classic Cars: For high-value or classic cars, maintaining originality and finish quality is paramount. Professional repair ensures the highest standards and can preserve the vehicle’s value.
Professional services like ChipsAway specialize in SMART repairs, offering localized paint repairs that are cost-effective and time-saving compared to traditional body shop methods. They use color-matching technology to ensure a seamless blend with your car’s existing paintwork.
Cost Considerations for Stone Chip Repair
The cost to repair large chips to metal varies depending on the repair method:
- DIY Repair: The cost of DIY repair is primarily the cost of materials. A touch-up paint kit, sandpaper, rubbing compound, and other supplies can range from $20 to $100, depending on the quality and extent of the kit.
- Professional SMART Repair: Professional SMART repairs are typically more affordable than full panel resprays. Costs can range from $100 to $300+ per chip or panel area, depending on the size and complexity of the repair, and the shop’s rates. Get a free estimate from specialists like ChipsAway for a precise quote.
- Full Panel Respray: A full panel respray is the most expensive option, often costing several hundred dollars per panel. This is usually only necessary for very extensive damage or when blending repairs into adjacent panels for a perfect match is required.
For large chips to metal, professional SMART repair offers a good balance of quality and cost-effectiveness, especially when dealing with multiple chips or wanting a guaranteed color match and finish.
Preventing Future Stone Chips
While you can’t entirely eliminate the risk of stone chips, you can take steps to minimize them:
- Maintain Distance: On highways and roads with loose gravel, maintain a safe following distance from vehicles in front of you to reduce the chance of debris being kicked up at your car.
- Avoid Gravel Roads: Whenever possible, avoid driving on unpaved or gravel roads, which are primary sources of stone chips.
- Paint Protection Film (PPF): Consider applying paint protection film to vulnerable areas like the hood, bumper, and fenders. PPF is a transparent film that acts as a barrier against stone chips and scratches. While it’s an investment, it offers excellent long-term protection.
- Car Bras/Hood Deflectors: Car bras or hood deflectors can provide physical protection to the leading edge of your hood, although they may alter the car’s appearance.
- Regular Waxing and Sealants: Applying car wax or paint sealant regularly creates a protective layer on your car’s paint, making it more resistant to minor chips and scratches.
- Mud Flaps: Installing mud flaps, especially on the front wheels, can help reduce the amount of road debris kicked up towards your car’s body.
Conclusion
Large chips to metal on your car require prompt and proper repair to prevent rust, maintain your vehicle’s appearance, and preserve its value. Whether you choose the DIY route or opt for professional SMART repair, addressing these chips is an essential part of car maintenance. By understanding the steps involved in repair and taking preventative measures, you can keep your car’s paintwork looking its best for years to come.
For expert stone chip repair and a flawless finish, consider getting a free, no-obligation estimate from ChipsAway. Their specialists can provide convenient and professional repairs to restore your car’s paintwork to its former glory. Get a FREE Repair Estimate
