Having an area of your vehicle become damaged is always disturbing to the owner. If you have an area of your vehicle where the paint job has become chipped, you can fix it on your own with the use of a few tools. Here are some instructions for your use to help you repair a paint chip on your vehicle.

Items You Will Need To Make The Repair

• Mild detergent
• Bucket of water
• Non-abrasive sponge
• Paint pen in color that matches vehicle
• Sandpaper
• Paint polish
• Buffing pad
• Electric drill

Preparing The Vehicle For Paint

The area you will be painting on your vehicle will need to be cleaned completely before you add any color. This will aid in allowing the paint to adhere to the metal surface without any debris such as grit or dust getting in the way. Use a sponge dipped into a your bucket of soapy water to saturate the area. Scrub it down and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Adding The Color

You can get a paint pen that matches the color of your vehicle by visiting an auto parts store or your car dealership. Look up the code for your particular vehicle's paint inside the vehicle manual. A paint pen is used the same way as you would a marker or nail polish brush. Dab the area where the paint is missing on your vehicle with the pen, making sure that the color overlaps the existing paint around the chipped area so it will blend. You will need to reapply paint every 24 hours for at least four days in order to have the best results.

Sanding And Buffing The Vehicle

After the paint has been applied and is completely dry, you will want to use a piece of sandpaper to smooth the surface where it has been added. First you will want to add a layer of paint polish using a sponge to apply to the vehicle. Lightly rub your sandpaper on the area you have painted and polished, making sure to rub the edges so they can not be noticed.

Some of the existing paint will need to be sanded so the entire area looks uniform. Take your time to make sure you rub very lightly so the existing paint will not become scratched deeply. Place some paint polish on a buffing pad and use an electric drill to help you in the application process. Buff the entire area where the paint had been applied. 

For help with a DIY project or to hand the project off to professionals, contact an auto repair shop, like Select Collision Centers Inc.