Rock Chips

[Slidder]

Don't know if this has been discussed on the forums before so I thought I'd just toss it out and see what happens.

With my new (white) Rubicon and now the new 2014 2500, both with wider tires, both vehicles are really getting rock chips especially on the rear fenders.

I have yet to find any mud flaps that will fit and look good and if I do, only going to use them during the winter months. So with that being said, I went to Google and typed in "rock chip repair." There are a lot of different companies that sell different kits.

After careful consideration and talking to a couple of guys with new rigs, I ended up purchasing a kit from this company:
Dr. ColorChip Automotive Paint Chip Repair Kit - Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems However, before I bought it I did a lot of research online, talked to a lot of body shops, etc.

Today I warmed up my shop, pulled the Rubicon in and cleaned just one rear fender. I then applied the white paint which you get when you tell the company the paint code. With winter here I did not want to do both fenders so I just did the front edge of the back fender as a test area. Give me a day or so and that test area will be rocked chipped again as I drive it.

I have to say that this is an amazing product to say the least. Just watch the different video's and check out the different photographs, etc before you order.

The end of my white fender looked new. So when our road department decides to sweep up all the boulders, I'm going to fix the four fenders and a couple of places on the door hinges.

Tonight I just ordered the kit for the Dodge and also for the wife's new Avalon Limited.

This is one of those products that seemed to good to be true. However it was money well spent.

They have different kits you can order. I got this one: Platinum Car Care Package - Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems

The only drawback to this is the minute amount of paint you get. There is enough to do quite a few chipped sections but when I ordered the kits I had to pay more to get more paint. Better to have more than not enough.

As it states on their homepage, using their system is far far cheaper than taking your vehicles to a body shop.

There is no business in our City that does this type of work so having a large, warm shop, I am seriously thinking about opening the first rock chip repair service using these products. As customers are sitting, waiting for their vehicle, it would be nice if they were looking at all of my Adam's products and then want their vehicle thoroughly detailed. If nothing else, the small amount of money I get will keep my shop fridge full of cold beer.

 

[Cruizer]

Would be really interested on how other colors come out. Also curious how it would do on deep scratches. Good info, thanks for sharing.

 

[Slidder]

Would be really interested on how other colors come out. Also curious how it would do on deep scratches. Good info, thanks for sharing.

Darker colors, according to their homepage appear to come out better but by doing one part of the white Rubicon fender, I can't really see where I covered up the ones I did.

Also on their homepage, you have to do some reading but they do talk about deep scratches. Deep enough to go all the way through to the metal. They also mention areas that have been rusted and how to fix those.

When I spoke with one of the company reps, he told me that all you have to do is to follow the instructions exactly as they are written or shown. When I did the Rubicon fender I just took my laptop out into my shop and when in doubt, referred back to their site.

 

[Cruizer]

Yeah, I have a nasty scratch right above my passenger headlight I'd like to fix. Looks down to the metal or real close. I think it was the guys the dealership had buff out the truck. I didn't notice when I picked it up or I'd have had them fix it. Looks like their buffer got away from them and turned over on its side. Think I might get me some of this and give it a try.

 

[Slidder]

Yeah, I have a nasty scratch right above my passenger headlight I'd like to fix. Looks down to the metal or real close. I think it was the guys the dealership had buff out the truck. I didn't notice when I picked it up or I'd have had them fix it. Looks like their buffer got away from them and turned over on its side. Think I might get me some of this and give it a try.

Go here: Repair Scratches - Scratch Repair - Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems It's off of their homepage.

If you can't find any answers to your questions, just give the company a call. Super friendly customer service.

Also before you order, you need to look on your drivers door where the Vin # is. You will need to give them that # when you order your kit.

If you can't find your paints code, go here: Select Paint Color - Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems

One would want to do this type of fix so your truck looks good during the summer months. So what can you do to prevent it from being rock chipped next winter? There is a product that is about the size of 3 pieces of paper. It is clear on one side, sticky on the other. I can't remember the name of this but don't use the 3M product.

After you fill in the chips in, let it dry for quite a few hours. I'll find out the exact time for you.

You should let a professional lay this product on any portion of your truck. What it does is simply protect any further rock chips. You can, once this product has been put on, wax and buff it.

Basically it is just a very thin piece of plastic. In fact you can buy entire kits for trucks, cars, etc that can cover the entire front end of the vehicle, the hood, roof, fenders, etc.

Can you see where it is laid down and ends? "Only" if you really get close to those areas. With the 3M product, it is thicker and you will be able to see it. Additionally, over a period of time, the 3M product will start to turn yellow.

If you find a good professional installer, there probably isn't a place on your truck he can't put this product on. Ever notice behind your door handles where there are scratches. Well not to be picking on women but those are caused from their long fingernails. A professional can custom cut pieces that will fit behind the door handles and then you don't have to worry about those ugly minute scratches.

You can have very thin pieces put along your door edges so when you open your doors and maybe hit the side of your garage, this strip protects it from chipping the paint.

It can be placed along the rocker panels, window pillars, etc.

So once you get the rock chips painted out, you can then have this thin plastic installed and never again have to worry about chipping.

I seen a brand new 2014 1500 that was all blacked out. He was having this material installed. As I walked around his truck, I could not see where the product was first laid nor where it ended unless I got my nose right down to the areas that were covered. So if you can cover black with clear plastic and not be able to see where, to me, it is a super product.

Here is a list of products from Google: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8#q=plastic+rock+chip+protection+film I am leaving now to go to the shop that my friend owns. I will get you the name of the product he uses and get back to you.

 

[Cruizer]

Yeah, Ziebart has that kind of stuff I think. I don't have many rock chips, just that scratch that's really on my last nerve. Thanks for the info though. Will probably look into this so I can have it here when it's warm enough to apply.