touch ups

[salyers890]

I got blasted by an airborn rock today. . . . the impact was felt up my spine. . . .

I have a tiny dent on the fender, but a dime-size chip in the pain. . . . i figure put some chap stick on it so it doesn't flash rust right away, but any ideas on how to touch up without having to pay 30 for the nailpolish bottle. . .then having it look like nailpolish on the jeep? I'm pretty pissed.


tips would be appreciated

[brigantine]

If you are lucky enough to find a very close match in a spray can, here is what I would do.

Sand around the edges of the chip to feather the paint down to metal as smoothly as possible. (keep your sanded area as small as possible. We're talking using sandpaper on the tip of a popsicle stick)

Mask around the sanded area, keeping your masking tape outside of any sand markings.

Spray it with the spray can. Be sure to have masked wide enough an area to be able to use per can's instructions. (usually 8" - 10" from target. This is critical, for spraying any closer is begging for runs) Spray in short quick bursts, 20 seconds apart. This gives the paint time to settle so you see if you "really" need any more. When you think it is just about perfect, just needs a little more gloss, STOP. That last one is always the run...

After the paint dries and cures, pull the mask and wet sand with 400, then 600 to get rid of the mask edge.

Assuming you were pretty close with paint color, You will know where it is, but most non car freaks won't. It will help if you can flatten the dent, first, for eyes won't be drawn to the dent. Obviously, if it's metallic, try to get a mettallic. There are a lot of automotive quality spray paint colors available, so you should be able to get a fairly decent match.

Works great on Silver and if you're lucky on Navy Blue. Never done it on a red, black or white vehicle, so can't say. It may not be perfect, but It's a damn site better than the Nail polish on the canyon trick and draws your attention a lot less. And, at $7/can, a damn site cheaper, too.

Good Luck.

[salyers890]

I've painted cars before, and done a lot of detail painting just for fun, but it just makes me nervous around the new car. . . . there is a little divet where the rock hit, but it's not that bad. first thing I'll do is find out if a cop buddy of mine can get a bodyshop to touch up for free or <30 bucks, if not, i'll see if mopar sells aerosol touch ups for the bright silver. . .thanks for the tip buddy

[Mars]

Dime-sized, I'm not sure.

I've had fantastic results with the paint pens you find in AutoZone. These are matched to manufacturer color and work really well on scratches (like the pinstripes you get offroad). I have been able to use it to build up a larger "gouge" after getting used to how it works. Might work on dime-sized.

[wv4x4]

If the chip is on the fender now would be the perfect time to flat fender you jeep. Thats what I would be doing!

[salyers890]

I'm starting a new job monday, I think I'll let them get to know me before I give them the chance to take a poor first impression. - touch up nailpolish from DC is what i'm gonna do

[hawkeye]

Or you could just leave it alone, and tell them it adds character ;D

''It's a jeep thing....you wouldn't understand''

[hydrotoys]

Yeah, along the lines of Hawkeye. You could just go out to the driveway and give it a matching ding on the other side ... just kidding, of course!

[wajeeep]

My Patriot Blue Pearl touch-up bottle was $5.99 at Auto Zone. They seem to have all of the Jeep colors in stock. It comes with both pen and brush applicators, and enough paint to do quite a few touch-ups. At least more than I plan on ever doing to it.

I've got a paint chip up front to fix, and I'll let you know if it came out ok. If it doesn't, I'm getting my Xenon fender flares painted in a few weeks and I'll just have them spiff up the chip. I'll keep you posted on the results.