Stone chips

MuddyDog

Have done nearly 20,000 kms in my brand new car since October now. Been protected with Collinite 845 since day 1 but I guess that doesn't make it immune to stone chips as there are 3. 2 on the bonnet and 1 on the front grille near the headlight.

They are only tiny/very small BUT it bugs me. Is there any way to make them appear less obvious or make them almost disappear completely?

emeldc

Flat or metallic?

MuddyDog

Metallic.

emeldc

Hmmm. I used touch up paint on a flat colour once using the tip of an artists brush. Once I polished them out they actually looked OK. Don't think it will work with metallic. I got the bumpers resprayed properly on the E46 during the summer and the guy that did it for me seemed to 'blow in' a few of the stone chips for me. Looked like air brushing. Very effective though.

Curran

Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to prevent stone chips on paintwork. A traditional wax / sealant wont offer any protection, but a nano / ceramic sealant will offer some resistance, but in reality hitting a stone at speed, is a very physical event.
You could consider the option of a clear wrap, so once that gets a bit tatty looking, you can remove it to reveal the fresh paint beneath, and apply a new one.

It terms of fixing your current issue, you can get touch up paints, and with patience it is possible to do a very good job at masking the chips. Helped if you have a machine polisher....you can sand back the new paint slightly, to level the paint, and polish up to a perfect finish.

oppenheimer1

I have the same issue, a stone chip about the length of a 1c coin, but it's down through all the layers of paint to the metal. Now I'm not normally too fussed about stone chips as they generally can't be prevented but the exposed metal on this one makes me think I need to get this fixed.

I've gotten quotes from smart lads and they're quoting me €200ish, but I'm thinking it's a bit steep for what is a small, albeit deep mark. I've been told the whole wing will need to be resprayed.

Does this sound excessive? It's metallic paint btw.

emeldc

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

I have the same issue, a stone chip about the length of a 1c coin, but it's down through all the layers of paint to the metal. Now I'm not normally too fussed about stone chips as they generally can't be prevented but the exposed metal on this one makes me think I need to get this fixed.

I've gotten quotes from smart lads and they're quoting me €200ish, but I'm thinking it's a bit steep for what is a small, albeit deep mark. I've been told the whole wing will need to be resprayed.

Does this sound excessive? It's metallic paint btw.

Nope, I paid €500 + 13.5% vat for two bumpers. Top job from a top man. Just make sure he's reputable or it will end up looking worse with mismatched paint.

edburg

You could consider clear protection film on front end, there is some very good self healing films out there these days. Plus you can still use sealants on top safely.

Only I am unsure if there any people in Eire that provides service, when I looked in to in 2012/13 only well advertised place was a detail place in northern ireland.

MetzgerMeister

Ceramic coatings have no effect on reducing the damage caused by stone chips. The only answer is a thick clear wrap which is designed to stop damage occuring.

wandererz

Chipex

chipex.co.uk

AutoMan79

I was looking for somebody who would be able to install PPF in Ireland but unfortunately without luck
Ceramic coating is excellent solution but PPF is the way to go. Hopefully somebody will bring this business to Ireland

edburg

These lads apparently do said films for protection now after quick google.

http://www.autoproject.ie
http://www.carstyle.ie/new/services/stonechips-guard.html
http://wtsireland.net/paintprotector

Total perfection is place up North I found few years ago that do the 3M venture film

http://www.totalperfection.co.uk/
http://3mcarcare.co.uk/PaintProtection

AutoMan79

I went to few of them cpl of months ago and they do install ppf but never heard of that brand that they are installing. Quotes were around 650-700 to cover full bumper, bonnet and wings.

edburg wrote: »

These lads apparently do said films for protection now after quick google.

http://www.autoproject.ie
http://www.carstyle.ie/new/services/stonechips-guard.html
http://wtsireland.net/paintprotector

Total perfection is place up North I found few years ago that do the 3M venture film

http://www.totalperfection.co.uk/
http://3mcarcare.co.uk/PaintProtection

jay f

AutoMan79 wrote: »

I went to few of them cpl of months ago and they do install ppf but never heard of that brand that they are installing. Quotes were around 650-700 to cover full bumper, bonnet and wings.

Any place can you recommend to mix paint for color code?
Want to use it for stone chips repair
Blanchardstown area or city centre

emeldc

jay f wrote: »

Any place can you recommend to mix paint for color code?
Want to use it for stone chips repair
Blanchardstown area or city centre

Google 'vinny byrne paint'. He can make up aerosol cans to any colour as long as you have the colour code. Thats usually found on the id plate in the engine bay.

Curran

Yeah, Vinny Bryne in Santry....however, for stone chips, I'd ask for a pot of paint over an aerosol.