gravel stone chips?

[nerdhunters]

Well, some heathen scratched the side of my car for quite a length. It is definately going to require paint, does anyone know of a really good shop in Houston. I don`t mind paying top dollar but I want the work to be perfect.

[bmerjorge21]

Ouch!! That hurts James. Never lived or been to Houston but I would ask around, and check http://209.103.220.181/gold_class/FM...lic.htm&-view. If you haven`t heard of I-Car, they are basically the ASE equivalent of collision repair. Best of luck.

[neomatrix]

I would go to some MBenz or Lexus dealers and ask around who they use for body repair/paint job. At least here in Vegas, the dealer for Lexus/Mbenz/Jaguar all use the same outside Bodyshop.

[nerdhunters]

Thank you for the suggestions!

[softoa]

Hello,

Will using a clay bar with lubrication get rid of the chips out of the paint for cars/ trucks? This area has many gravel roads still, and I`m thinking I can only get rid of chips with a clay bar? Or , maybe that isn`t right? I only wash/ wax cars by hand.. I`m not a professional detailer at all, but wonder how to get rid of those white spots---do I need to take it to a body shop for repainting?

I have many of those on lower parts of both of my vehicles from driving here. I have no camera for pictures, but you guys know..And this summer I`ll be doing peoples cars somewhat anyway.. as best as I`m able.. And, I`d like to get rid of their tiny white spots too.if I can... thanks, softoa..

[bmw5541]

Softoa,

If you have chips in your paint, that means that the paint has been taken out of your car`s finish. A clay bar will only remove contaminants that are stuck into the paint. Unfortunately, the only way to fix chips, is to repaint. If you only have a few chips, you might want to try Dr. Color Chip. If your car is covered with chips, you need to get it repainted.

I have many chips on the front of my car (actually it is covered with chips) due to the fact that my car is a DD and I put on about 150-200 mikles a day.

Good luck!

[softoa]

Oh, allright.. I only have a few chips on the bottom, so will look for the Dr. color chip system.. I don`t know what a DD means? well I also for about 10 years have driven 100 miles to work each day, so we can`t help getting those chips.. Course, my Escort has 200,000 miles on it, and looks great except for those spots. thanksbmw... softoa, opal..

[bmw5541]

We are all here to help. DD means daily driver.

Let us know how things turn out.

[imported_Flash Gordon]

These white specks you speak of. Could they possibly be from were you drove over a freshly painted street line?

Are these specks in the fenderwell also maybe?

Try with your finger nail removing one of these specks. Or see if you can feel if the speck is on the outside of your paint or does it go inwards/chip

Impossible to keep a DD speck free though

Let us know how it turns out and never be afraid to ask any kinda question that concerns you

[softoa]

Hi,

The specks are mostly on lower areas of the door panels... I haven`t seen any on the bumpers .. I`ll try tomorrow with my nails and see if it may be white paint.. That`d be great, then I `d have to get some claybars.. One way or another, I`ll probably add clay bar process to my old wash/wax system.. so much to learn in many areas in life isn`t there.. thanks, softoa...

[Todd@RUPES]

Clay bars work by lightly abrading away any contamination that is stuck to the paint like rail dust, enviromental fall out, etc. Rock chips are areas where paint has been removed (like craters) and clay will not fix those

To inspect if your car needs to be clayed wash and dry it very thoroughly then lightly `feel` the paint with your fingers. It should feel smooth with no papable texture. More often then not (if the car has never been clayed) you will feel a slight grit on the paint. This is contamination that should be removed.

The benefits of claying include increasing shine and reflectivity by removing the film of contamination as well as prolongled life from your wax or sealant since it will bond much better.

[imported_Flash Gordon]

.The benefits of claying include increasing shine and reflectivity by removing the film of contamination as well as prolongled life from your wax or sealant since it will bond much better.

Yea, softa a claybar is something you can`t do without. Very easy to use and it will also make applying/removing your wax much easier. Not to mention the additional shine from removing the contaminents :wizard:

[imported_Flash Gordon]

so much to learn in many areas in life isn`t there.. thanks, softoa...

Ain`t that the truth. The older I get the dummier I feel

[softoa]

Laughing--ha!! I think it`s that we`re all wiser-, more mature---and able to admit perhaps that there`s quite a few things we all don`t know--but also---we`re anxious and willing to learn.. some anyway within time constraints... don`t know how to put on smiley faces, but I would stick that in here..

Thank-you---I`m the original owner of the pretty blue Escort a 99 with a few spots,, it`s never been claybared--so guess I`ll go ahead--and need to do that---all those benefits---thanks a million.++ softoa..++

[imported_Flash Gordon]

Laughing--ha!! I think it`s that we`re all wiser-, more mature---and able to admit perhaps that there`s quite a few things we all don`t know , but also we`re anxious and willing to learn.. :smile: some anyway within time constraints...:banghead: don`t know how to put on smiley faces, but I would stick that in here..

Thank-you---I`m the original owner of the pretty blue Escort a 99 with a few spots,, it`s never been claybared--so guess I`ll go ahead--and need to do that---all those benefits---thanks a million.++ softoa..++

Director There, I fixed it :wink:

Yep, getting a good Mild claybar will serve you well. You can pick up a clay magic (blue bar) at Autozone/Advance/O`Riellys/Pep Boys for around $12. Megs clay bar kit will work in a pinch Da Rules!

As for the QD/Lube. I would just use water. It works better IMPO :Snowman:

Let us know when you find the clay bar and we will walk you through the process