How to stop Paint Chipping on your Car?

A car’s paint job is the one that needs utmost care besides the rest of your car, and here’s the reason why. A good paint job isn’t just to make your car look good; it protects the metal from rust and corrosion.

Sun exposure, rocks on the road, and frequent car washes can all chip and dull the finish. That’s why keep scrolling to learn about the preventive measures and why maintaining your vehicle’s paint is easier (and cheaper) than fixing chips later. But in case you already have those paint chips on your car, we’ve covered that in the later part of the blog.

First, let us understand what are the causes behind paint chipping, why to avoid it, and how to keep these problems at bay.

What Causes Paint Chipping, and Why Avoid It?

The car paint that is sprayed on usually consists of three different layers. They are:

• base(primer)
• the paint itself
• protective coat.

This is done to protect the metal underneath from corroding.

If any of these paint layers get scratched or chipped, moisture from the atmosphere can seep in easily. This causes the bare metal beneath to rust.

If left untreated, the entire car body will corrode, which will be much more expensive to fix. Thus, it becomes extremely important to deal with peeling paintwork as soon as possible to avoid hefty bills.

Below are some of the preventative measures you can take before the small chips on your car become a mess.

Preventative Measures to Stop Paint Chipping

If not taken care of regularly, your car paint will fade away or can chip at places, creating a huge mess that can be harsh on your pocket. So, below are some of the easiest measures to prevent paint chipping, all covered in detail.

1. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance with Right Products

Regular cleaning and maintenance are not enough. You must select the products carefully, as well.

Scrubbing with rough sponges or using a high-pressure water sprayer can be quite harsh and eventually scratch the paint. Moreover, a low-quality car shampoo can remove the protective wax layer, raising more problems instead of solving the issue.

Therefore, follow the below steps to wash your car:

Step 1:

Rinse off your vehicle with a gentle stream of water. You can use a tap or a bucket of water to do so. This will take care of the loose dirt.

Step 2:

Work in small sections using a microfiber towel or a soft sponge. Remember to use a high-quality car shampoo, as we need to keep the wax layer intact.

Step 3:

Wash off the shampoo with a gentle stream of water and dry the car with a clean microfiber towel.

2. Protective Film and Coatings

a. Wax as a Protective Film

Wax forms a protective layer against dirt, dust, and other air pollutants that can damage the uppermost layer of the paint.

In fact, a good-quality wax provides UV ray protection. This helps prevent the paint job from fading due to the harsh sun’s rays.

b. Sealant as a coating

Sealants, made from various synthetic ingredients, act as an extra layer of protection and are great for hiding minor imperfections.

c. Ultimate protection

If you want the ultimate protection for your car’s paint job, you can use a combination of wax and sealant. By using both products together, you’ll be able to protect your car paint in the long run.

3. Immediate Repairs and Touch-ups

Usually, small chips are not a major issue. But you need to take care of these minor chips, as leaving them untreated can expose the underlying metal to moisture, inviting rust. So take care of that small chip as soon as possible so you can avoid a major hole in your pocket with a more extensive repair job.

Here’s how to handle a small paint chip:

Step 1:

Get touch-up paint from a nearby car dealership or an auto parts store. Try to get paint that matches your car’s color code.

Step 2:

Wash and dry the chipped area thoroughly. Remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with the touch-up paint.

Step 3:

Apply the touch-up paint.

Step 4:

Once the touch-up paint is dry, you can polish the area for a more seamless finish. However, this step might be unnecessary for very minor chips.

Note:

This is just a solution for small chips. In case there’s more extensive peeling, it’s better to consult a professional. They have the expertise and equipment to properly check for damage and repair/repaint the affected areas.

4. Safe Driving Practices

Keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you can prevent scratches from flying debris while on the road.

It is also a good idea to be mindful when parking. Therefore, try to avoid tight spots where you might bump into other cars or objects. Bumping your car against other vehicles or objects can leave you with unwanted chips and scratches. Further, in such scenarios, your car’s windshield may get chipped as well.

Whenever possible, opt for a wider parking space where you can comfortably open your doors and avoid bumping into neighboring cars.

What to Do if Your Car’s Paint is Already Peeling

It might happen that you took all these steps, and your car paint still ends up peeling. So, in case your car’s paint is already peeling, try to address it as soon as possible.

While touch-up paint works for most small chips, if there are bigger chips, you might need professional help. These professionals can effectively assess the damage and repair/repaint the affected areas of the car, restoring its showroom finish appeal.

Professional Solutions from Auto Glass Repair Experts

While providing aesthetic appeal, car paint is also necessary to protect the metal below from rust, inviting a number of safety issues.

Hence, it’s always advised to build a routine to prevent paint chipping and keep your car safe. However, you must avoid unpaved terrain and drive safely, as such conditions can lead to windshield chips.

While this blog focuses on preventing paint chipping, a chipped windshield is the most common problem faced by car owners. The auto glass repair experts at NuVision can help you with windshield chip repair and replacement.

Without further ado, submit your vehicle details here for an instant repair/replacement quote.