If you have chipped paint on the hood of your car, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to have to have it professionally repainted. Many times, small spots can be repaired on your own. Just follow the steps below to transform your car into one that looks as good as it did before the damage occurred.

Use These Items

  • water hose
  • soapy water
  • sponge
  • sandpaper 
  • electric sander
  • primer
  • touch up paint
  • lint-free cloths
  • rubbing compound

Clean And Sand The Surface

Clean the damaged area with soapy water and a sponge. Small flecks of paint may chip off, so do not be alarmed. Rinse the area off well with a water hose. Begin sanding the chipped area with low grit paper and an electric sander. Once the paint is no longer flaking off, follow up with fine grit paper. Test the surface with your hand to make sure it feels smooth. Wipe away any sandpaper dust with a lint-free cloth. 

Prime And Sand The Surface

Apply primer to the sanded area by spraying it on evenly. Make sure that you are standing several inches away so that the primer doesn't drip. Wait for the primer to dry completely. This may take a couple hours. Sand the primed surface lightly and apply a second coat of primer. Once the second coat dries, sand it the same way that you did after the first coat. Wipe the surface with a lint-free cloth.

Apply Touch Up Paint

You can purchase touch up paint to match the original color of your car. This type of paint comes in small containers and is ideal for minor paint jobs. Apply the paint evenly to the primed surface. After the paint dries, determine if it matches the rest of your car. If not, add a second coat in order to deepen the color. Wait for it to dry. 

Buff the surface of your car with rubbing compound and a cloth. Apply a small amount of compound on a cloth and rub it into the repaired area by using circular motions. The surface will appear to be hazy after a couple minutes. Wipe this part off with a clean cloth. Your car will look as good as it did previously and you will no longer be able to tell that the paint was chipped. Continue taking good care of your car so that the paint does not chip in any other areas in the future. 

If you need professional Toyota repair, or help with another model of foreign car, contact a shop that specializes in foreign car repair.

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