No matter how hard you try to keep your prized daily driver in pristine condition, it's inevitable that it will pick up a few bumps and bruises throughout its life. Stone chips are one of the more common types of damage experienced by most drivers, and they're nearly impossible to avoid. Small bits of road debris are everywhere, and maintaining a safe following distance is often not enough to avoid them.
Although one or two chips often go unnoticed, they can build up over time to severely blemish your car's paint job. When you've finally had enough of them, you'll have two options to resolve the problem: buy a do-it-yourself kit or hire a professional. While do-it-yourself kits might seem more cost-effective at first glance, there are many good reasons to go the professional route instead.
What's Involved in Stone Chip Repair?
Stone chips can often cause paint damage. Although these chips seem minor, they're no different from anything else that affects your car's paint. And, as with other types of scratches and dings, their severity can vary. Some chips may barely nick the clear coat while others will penetrate to your primer or bare metal.
Most of the kits you can buy to solve the problem are one-size-fits-all. In other words, you'll be taking the same straightforward steps no matter the severity of the chip. These kits might succeed in getting some paint to cover the damage, but your success will often depend on how deep the rock or debris penetrated your paint.
On the other hand, professionals treat stone chips as they would any other type of damage. A professional repair service will start by evaluating the damage and deciding on a correct course of action based on its severity. This approach ensures a more complete repair that will still provide good results, even for deep stone chips.
Will a Professional Provide Better Results?
Every paint chip repair is unique, so there's no easy way to know if you'll be able to tackle any individual repair yourself. You may get good results for minor paint chips that don't penetrate deeply into the paint. However, a key skill that many do-it-yourselfers lack is the ability to accurately evaluate the damage and decide on the best course of action.
By hiring a professional service, you'll get more consistent results. A professional paint repair tech will have the ability to address stone chips of any severity, so you won't need to worry about a deeper chip being more visible after a repair. Professionals also have access to better equipment, allowing them to do more thorough preparation and finishing work.
Ultimately, deciding whether you need a professional for your stone chips depends on personal preference and budget. However, there's no question that hiring a professional will give you the best chance to get your paint as close as possible to factory-new condition.
For more information, reach out to local stone chip repair services.
I have never been an especially handy person, but a few years ago I decided that I needed to learn more about my vehicle. I was tired of always relying on someone else to fix things, so I began reading more and more about the process. I realized that there were a lot of things that I needed to do, so I began taking a little course on at-home auto service. I still have a lot to learn, but now I can at least go through and change my air filter and check my oil. Read this blog to learn more about auto service.