Stone Chips

[rhud]

Unlucky enough to get a couple of stone chips on my five-month-old A Class (metallic black). I have touched up the chips but, lacking expertise, am not happy with the result. You have to look reasonably hard - but the touch ups stand proud of the surrounding finish - and I know these bodges are there!

I would be grateful for any suggestions as to how to proceed from here to produce a better result - preferably without danger of making matters worse!
Also preferably without recourse to body shops.

 

[brandwooddixon]

You could always try a Chips-Away franchise.

Hint: In future use a cocktail stick to transfer the paint from your touch up brush to the stone chip. Takes a little longer, but gives a better finish.

 

[Aussie Nick]

You are not unlucky. This is normal wear and tear on the car. The moment you repair them you will pick up more. Unfortunately the colour you have chosen is vulnerable to the stone chips looking worse than they are. If you keep practising with the touch ups you will get better at it . Take on board what Chris has said. If you keep layering the stone chip gradually with the touch up paint, allowing the previous coat to dry completely, the crater will gradually fill but it will never look the same as when it was done with a spray gun.

 

[Xtractorfan]

And forget about chips away or any other quick fix. use the cocktail stick method and add a little lacquer to last few touch ups..u can buy clear lacquer pencil touch ups, and just mix some with the paint..

 

[rhud]

Thank you all for helpful advice. Seems like practice makes perfect!