NJRonbo

I am leasing a 2005 Silver Acura RL.

The other day I was behind one of those dreaded dump
trucks that spill concrete pieces and/or kick up stones from
the road. As much as I tried to keep my distance, I saw the
small pieces of debris flying in my direction.

Upon hand washing my car today I saw the damage -- a
small but prominant chip in the paint on the hood of my car.

What do I do?

I suppose I could buy a small bottle of touch-up paint, but
my fear is whether an amateur like me can make it blend into
the existing paint job -- especially since the car has such a
beautiful gloss to begin with.

I could also just take it to a body shop if you guys think that
most are reputable to match it perfectly. It couldn't cost me
more than a couple bucks to have them expertly touch it up.

What do you guys think?

caha14

Check this link out: http://langka.com/.

It's a pretty neat product that I first tried last year. The results are not perfect, but certainly better than just leaving a blob of touch-up paint on there. There is a bit of a learning curve, but all in all, it's easy to use as long as you are patient.

The more "proper" way to repair the chip entails wet sanding the blob with 2000 or 3000 grit and then polishing the paint.

Here's an article you may find interesting: http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=27

Being a lease, I'm not sure if you want to bother much, other than to just do a quick touch-up, but this is interesting stuff anyway!

Rob L

yeah i wouldnt bother since the cra is leased. how big is the chip? are we talking tiny as in like less than 1/4" in diameter or bigger?

Elltrain

If it's too deep, you need to have a shop ultimately sand, primer etc. and repaint. Anything else is just a temporary fix. I am assuming the chip has gone through the clear and into the base coat? You can feel a "groove" when you run your finger over it, correct?

fugazi

My advice:

1. Locate said chip.
2. Look directly at chip.
3. Say to self, "It's just a chip. A small chip."
4. Repeat step 3.
5. If you don't feel better, read some of the threads on this board regarding accidents and hit and runs.
6. This method is free, however, if you would like to paypal me money, I can provide you with a link.

NJRonbo

Yup. Through the clear and into the base coat.

This is a leased car. I'm sure the dealership is going to
charge me for it anyway so I might as well get it fixed now.

I take it most body shops can easily match the color and
do a decent job restoring it to new?

Shouldn't be too expensive, I hope.

needspeed

Your lease covers "Wear and Tear" and will have terms specifying the size and number of chips and dings you can have per panel. More than likely you are fine. Plus it makes no sense to fix your paint each time it takes a small hit. If, at the end of the lease you have damage beyond normal wear and tear, then get it done at once and save money. It is a lease, do not put more money into the car than neccessary......Steve

Elltrain

Yes, they should be able to match up the paint if they have the mixing system and check the variant colors. I would suggest you take it to someone you know does good work. This can be screwed up even though it is a simple job. Shouldn't cost you more than $225 assuming they do not have to blend the fender as well.

NJRonbo

Thanks guys!

You know what the problem is?

If this was a cheap car I wouldn't give a crap.

But I keep my RL in immaculate condition and the chip is
highly visible at the front edge of the hood.

big jizzle

I have an 05 tsx silver with a few chips in the hood, side etc...I spent 1 dollar on a silver sharpie.....Color it in, whipe it off, repeat till it blends pretty well

Karl_in_Chicago

needspeed is 100% on target. This should end up being normal wear and tear; if not, the hit you take from the leasing dealer shouldn't be any more than what a professional body shop repair would be (I would expect it to be a lot less). If you want to fix it right because that's the way YOU want it, OK, but chips, dings, etc. are part of the expected wear and tear of any normal lease (within reason, of course).

kgd

I also use the Lanka product and it works great. For small chips you will not notice them much when you are done. The key is to not wait too long to remove the excess paint. And then to not use too much pressure when removing the excess paint. It usually takes about 4 to 5 applications to remove the excess paint not using much pressure at all. If you use too much pressure it will remove the paint from the chip also and then you are starting all over. On a nice day you shouldn't have to wait more than 30 minutes to remove the paint.

You could take it to a body shop, but you will probably get another chip on your way home from picking it up. I usually spend a couple hours a couple times a year to fix chips in my cars. If the chip is really noticable and bothers me I will fix the chip right away.

Kris

medrxman

Cheap car, expensive car..They can both CHIP. If it bothers you get it fixed by a good body shop. Any do it yourself job is going to be visible, if not to others, definitely to you. You will find yourself looking at it every day.

But REMEMBER, ANOTHER CHIP IS SURE TO COME!