Self-repair chipped paint?

[krissauquillo]

My girlfriend's bumper has paint chipped of on the corner of the bumper. It's about 5 inches long and 3 inches high. It isn't really dented, but more so the paint was chipped off down to the primer. It really isn't that bad, but we don't want to spend $500 for a whole bumper replacement or repair. I'm pretty sure this is something that can be fixed on our own time.

I figure I should be able to buy some kind of automotive repair putty to fill it in. Then send it down with fine grit sandpaper. And then spray paint (no brushes) for a smooth blend (about 3 coats). We already have the exact color code for the paint (1E7).

So I have quite a few questions..

1) Should we peel off any paint that is already peeling? Or should we smash them down in with the putty/filler?
2) What exact materials do we need (type of putty/filler, type of primer)?
3) Know of any good stores to pick up said materials from? Or any good brands of materials?
4) Any other tips/recommendations?

By the way, it's a 2007 Toyota Corolla.

Here's some pictures..

[SCT]

Here's what I'll do:

You need:
Masking tape & plastic/paper rolls to cover larger areas
Primer aerosol paint (if required, if primer is chipped as well), get the primer that matches the primer on the car.
Correct color matching can of aerosol paint (Autozone, pepboys, etc. would carry most colors. If not, then the dealer)
Clear coat
Prepsol, or similar, to clean areas to be painted. Isopropyl alcohol works, too.
Fine, super fine sand paper

1. Remove any hanging chipped paint.
2. Sand the edges of the chipped areas so the intact paint is perfectly flushed with the primer/bumper. Preferably 1000 grit, I think. After sanding, your fingers should go from the good painted surface, over the damaged area and back onto good paint smoothly with no sharp edge.
3. Mask off everything paint overspray can get on. The only thing that should not be masked off is the painted areas of the bumper (including the damaged area awaiting repair).
4. Wipe the to-be-painted area with Prep-sol or similar to clean off any dust, grime, grease, oil, what have you.
4.5. If you need a primer if the primer peeled off as well, this is the time to do it. Spray the primer over the damaged area. 8"+ away, spray a steady sweeping left to right to left to right from top to bottom in a zig zag line (kinda). You're aiming for a uniformed spray, no excess spraying which can lead to sags. If there is sags, it's not the end of the world.
5. With the aerosol paint, spray the same way as mentioned with the primer.
6. 2 to 3 coats should be sufficient, but wait about 10 minutes between coats, even if the coat doesn't completely cover everything uniformly.
7. When all is dried, wet sand it with a super fine sand paper. This may not be needed if the sprayed paint is uniformed and even.
8. Spray on a layer or two of clear coat.
9. Allow to dry.
10. Buff.
11.


If you happen to have sags, which is paint drips, don't worry! Allow the paint to dry. Once it is dry, use a sanding block which is a foam box with a sand paper exterior. Sand the sags down. The flat surfaces of a sanding block is like a guide when you use it. Once the sag starts to get even with the rest of the surface, you'll know, cuz it'll start sanding the areas around the sag. Then, continue on.

On damages like these, some people do use bondo to fill in the areas where the paint is missing. I don't recommend that, but can be done.

Hope I'm not missing any steps.

[krissauquillo]

First, thanks for the quick response, SCT. This is some really encouraging news to hear that we can salvage the chipped paint.

I read somewhere that when using an aerosol spray paint you should get a piece of cardboard (preferably a manila folder) and cut a small 1-2 inch circular hole. Then hold the cardboard 3 inches away from the area and start spraying with the can about 4-5 inches from the cardboard. Would that work, too?

Furthermore, in the pictures you can see that large piece of paint hanging off on the right. Would it be okay to slap some kind of bonding agent under it push it down, then sand it down and paint over it?

Lastly, is there something wrong with using bondo, as you said you didn't encourage the use of it?

Edit: I have access to all the materials except the clear coat aerosol. Do you know any brands that I should be looking for?

[SCT]

The cardboard idea, I never heard. I wouldn't use that method, after hearing it. The closer you spray, the more paint it'll spray to a single spot increasing the risk of sags and uneven sprays.

Any chipped/ hanging chip should be removed then sand down the edges to a smooth surface.

I never used bondo to fill in paint problems like the chip you have. Also, bondo has more chances of cracking under temperature changes, dings, etc unlike paint which is more flexible. It can be used, if you wish, if the paint is that thick and will be a noticable surface level difference if bondo is not used.

[timefourfood]

how did your project go?

I'm facing a similar situation, this car wasn't taken care of well, clear coat failure all the way so paint is peeling.


The owner doesn't care about repainting it to matching color, but I suggest applying clear coat over to prevent it form chipping away faster. If i have clear coat over the area at least there is some protection, I'm thinking of using this



My method is mask off the non-affected area spray the affected area with layers of clear coat. Do you guys think it's sufficient?

[harry78gourley]

Originally Posted by timefourfood

....
My method is mask off the non-affected area spray the affected area with layers of clear coat. Do you guys think it's sufficient?

That depends how you are going to mask off the area? Frankly it will not suffice just that and it depends also on the area that has been afffected