Is it safe to machine polish over small rock chips?

Gopher · 07-21-07, 07:27

I am totally new to the detailing world and will be doing my first string of details with my PC on my family and girlfriends cars. One concern I do have is that on the front bumper of my dads black (dark graphite?) 911 he has a few chips in paint--I guess from running through debris at high speeds.

Are there any precautions I need to take before going over those areas? I'd hate to scar my dads baby.

bjlee · 07-21-07, 07:37

If they're regular stone chips, probably not, but I could see room for concern if the paint is bubbled near the edges at all.

Any chance you have pictures of this?

In all likelihood though, as long as the paint is just chipped there and in no way pulling up from the bumper, you can just polish over it.

Gopher · 07-21-07, 07:52

I JUST left my parents house tonight and had meant to take a picture but forgot. I don't think they'd peel, and in the past I've filed the blemishes with a turtle wax 'chip stick' and waxed over it by hand w/o issue. I'm just a bit apprehensive with a PC though.

I'll start with my titanium silver car and build confidence with my moms blue acura (paint is in desperate need of love) before attempting any of my dads toys... I'll keep an eye out open to see if it starts pulling on her car before moving on to anything important.

Jeremy1026 · 07-21-07, 08:48

I have quite a few rock chips on my front bumper (about 62K miles worth) and I go over them with my PC on speed 4.5 and don't have any problems.

todd@bsaw · 07-21-07, 08:58

Rock chips are just fine to go over. Just make sure that there is no loose paint around the edges because that can get stuck in the pad and swirl all over the paint. You usually only have to be concerned about that on scratches in the paint, however.