Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

[Joe Dragon]

My '11 Toy Avalon is 3 months old, without a clear bra for the hood. I noticed there are half a dozen 'chips', each about the size of the dull end of a straight pin, and they're dark gray as opposed to the silver hood. My fingernail catches on them when I run it over the hood. So the question is what product should I start with to try to remove them? I have the Deep Crystal Step 1 liquid paint cleaner, and the liquid Cleaner Wax in a similar maroon plastic container. Of course I can get other things too if need be.

Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Murr1525]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

You cant remove chips with a product, you need to fill them in with paint if you want to fix them.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

I do have some touch-up paint but I've found it hard in the past with other cars to not get too much on the brush; maybe I should try a tooth pick or a cutoff Q-tip as the applicator?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

Try these links

Dr. Color Chip

Rock chips repair?

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

Thank you CC, those videos of the BMWs were impressive.

[Murr1525]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

Yeah, at least dab with a toothpick, or pin if it is that small.

[TOGWT]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

11. Use Woolite® or a car shampoo on the chip repair for lubrication.
12. Wet-sand the raised paint dot by using blue masking tape and a centre punch; with a 1/8-1/4 -inch hole punched into it centered over the blemish and then use Wurth Spot Sanding Pen or 1500/2500 grit sandpaper on the end of a new pencil eraser to bring the paint thickness down to the surrounding level.
13. Use a very light pressure on the sanding block, lightly wiping the area often to check your progress

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

Never have had much luck using the brush with the touch up paint. Go with the toothpick or pin as Murr suggested. Do not blob it on thick. Apply a layer, then another, etc. To you fill it in.

[Flash Gordon]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

Wetsand it down 1 hour after second app and it will look super sharp

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Start with the least aggressive, but what is it?

Instead of spending the $40 for the Dr. Chip kit right now, I'll dab the touchup paint on with a toothpick as suggested, then gently wetsand. I've never done wetsanding so I'll wet the area with some GC car wash soap I guess, straight from the bottle, then use some 2500 grit sandpaper & a pencil eraser to smooth the surface as TOG said. Not sure how to sand it, sounds tricky to use a small amount of paper & rub with an eraser - a two handed job? How do you do that Flash?

I feel like kicking myself in the *** for not having a clear bra installed when the car was brand new. Thanks for your replies everyone.