Rock Chip.... Help
 

They don't have a bawling smiley, so the sad one will have to do... :( I'm going out of town tomorrow morning and wanted to wash my baby up before I went so the dirt from the rain (yes, it does occasionaly rain in San Diego) wouldn't be getting baked on for 6 days, and I found not 1, but 2 rock chips! One is on the passenger-side fender about 6" above the headlight (a very small chip, but a very prominent place) and the other one is on the driver-side about 2" under the headlight. I guess I'll be one of the first to buy the bra. I'm not too keen on the paint-protectant film. I don't like the idea of not being able to polish the paint and, though I haven't seen it in person, I can't imagine that it looks anywhere as good as that freshly Zaino'd shine. Anyway, I don't think there's anything I can do about the chips except pout. Any miracle's out there?

Rotor.......your not alone. I have a small chip also on the fender about 1 inch above the headlight. It is very small but....it WILL be getting fixed.

How you ask? I actually have some experience fixing these little buggers. Here in New Englang we have brutal winters where they dump thousands of tons of sand on the road each winter. Leads to lots of chips.

First I ordered the Mazda touchup paint from Trussville. I havent recieved it yet but, if it comes with a tiny brush on the cap.....DONT use it. never apply touch up with a brush...no matter how small the brush is. The key to it looking good is not to get any touch up paint around the tiny crater caused by the stone. depending on what the chip looks like (post a pic ...Macro is best) will determine what you use to put the paint on. In most cases a match stick....the soft ones in the book....will suffice. You tear the match out from the book and dip the torn end into the paint. The reason you use the match instead of the brush, is that the brush tends to "spread" when you are lightly dabbing the damaged area. The match tends to go where you want it to rather than where you dont.

1. with a small amount of paint on the matchstick, dab once on the stone chip.

2. wait a few minutes until the paint dries to apply more.

3. layer your paint. go thin....let dry....then another dab.

4. build up slowly. maybe take a couple days to complete it. TAKE YOUR TIME.

4. Use some "clear coat compound" to smooth out any spot to blend old and new paint.

Chances are you will alway be able to tell its there. If you look very closely. However this method will make it much better to deal with.

I am taking an even more conservative approach to my stone chip. I will be using the sharp end if a sewing needle to color in my chip. It will take longer but I will be sure I get paint where I want it. The pin method can work better than you think because paint will accurately be directed to the center of the paint chip to color it in.

I hope this helps....

Thanks a ton Gyro! Very descriptive. I'm just so nervous/hesitant to do this myself, but I think I may go with the sewing needle as well. The chips are tiny (about 1.5x the size of the point of a standard office staple to give you an idea). I've used touchup paint before, but never with very good results. Your technique sounds like it should help a lot though.

Could claybaring the area (and the rest of the car too I suppose) a week or so after applying the touchup paint help smooth the edges of the chip out? I don't mind knowing that the chip is there myself as long as it doesn't stand out and I can still polish the car nicely and not have people say "what the hell happened here?"

I had a heart attack myself this morning when I discovered the door to the garage ajar. Sure enough, there were cat hairs on the hood and a very small chip on the driver's side fender. Ooooh...anyone got any good cat recipes?

If you want to know how clear bra looks on your RX-8. Look
at the patches of it, in front of your rear wheels. It's on our
cars allready.

... A really ... mean ... dog.

I hate cats

Langka chip repair kits
 

I have hear of a chip repair company called Langka. Go to there web sight at www.lyngka.com for information. Some car people say this is the best system.:)

Langka chip repair kits
 

I have hear of a chip repair company called Langka. Go to there web sight at www.lyngka.com for information. Some car people say this is the best system.:)

I have 8+ chips in my yellow 8 after only 3 weeks. They show from a mile away. I looked at a well done clear bra on a 911TT. It looked A LOT better than random rock chips. I'd rather not have either - but since we seem to have 3 (bad) choices: Rock chips, Standard bra, or Clear bra, I will choose the clear bra. A professionally installed clear bra is very shiney and I could only see a seam at the hood mid-point - not very noticeable at all.. The material is'nt nearly as thick as the Mazda film on the rear fender. I hope it works - all in all it will be about $700 or so. Still cheaper and better looking than constantly repairing chips.

Had the full ClearBra (Hood, front end, mirrors, headlights, and foglights) put on my yellow one today ($600, installed) by the only guy who is allowed to tint my cars (since 1983), for the reasons stated by 1stRX8.

Pics tomorrow, but I LOVE it. From 3 feet away, invisible - and from within 3 feet you can only see the line on the hood if you know exactly where to look. Wonderful stuff.

Yup, I had the clear bra done a couple of weeks ago, but I paid a little more :mad:

But I am very satisfied with the results. I have been hit by gravel noticable enough to get my attention, and so far, all is well with paint.

I really recommend the clear bra.

I've got 3 chips in hood

its like getting your brand new white shoes stepped on

the way i see it, getting your first chip is like part of the break-in period. or like a baptism.:)

such is life....

santino

Just a little bump for this thread... I have 3 chips that I attempted to fill in using the tiny brushy thing that comes with the paint. It looks like ass, Going to remove it and start again using the method described above.

Polak, can we make this a sticky and rename it by any chance?... since it seems our 8's are prone to chips?

Lufa
Use Langka to remove unwated touch up paint. It comes right up. As for fixing the chip. It is very simple.
1- Clean the area well
2- glue a 600 grid paper on top of the eraser of a pencil .
3- Rough up the bottom of the chip to allow paint to stick
4- Using a very tiny brush, the one you buy from art stores, or using a match fill the pit slowly. allow 15 minutes between applications, until you get the paint to raise above surrounding.
5- Allow paint to cure for several days, perhaps a week
6- Using a sanding block (grit 3000....It will not scratch you car finish), sand the raised paint area until it blends with the rest of the paint. Run your fingers over the chip, and keep sanding until you can not feel it.
7- At the point the area will look dull. Use 3M rubbing compound, and buff the area lightly. It will shine right up, and you will not be able to see the chip anymore unless you look really close.
8- For some reason if you do not like it, use Langka to remove the paint and start over. I assure you it is the best way to fix the chips. There is no risk of damaging your paint finish.

Good luck

Mark

One more thing ...soak the sanding block in water overnight before you use. And use a spray bottle with soap, and spray the soapy water on the area you are sanding for lubrication.

Mark

Cool thanks mqandil... guess I need to hit the store for some supplies.

Another easy way to apply small amounts of paint is to use a toothpick. I learned this while building models in my younger years. Mazda sent me a touch up kit with my "Welcome to Mazda" package. Luckily I haven't had to use it yet, but when I do, and I know I will, there's no way I'll use that big ass brush that comes on the lid.

Bra/chips
 

Just picked up my new 8 Saturday. Yay!

With all the helpful info posted here, I'm thinking I don't need/want the clear bra. If I did want to get it, though, does anyone know of anyplace in the MD/VA area that does a good job for a decent price on this? I'm thinking of getting it from the dealer b/c the girl who sells aftermarket parts/treatments is so hot (at least the dealers know who they're catering to), but I'd appreciate any info anyone else has. One other thing, does Mazda send you the touch-up paint, or do you have to order it?

I have a couple of hairline scratches on my 8. Since it's black, the scratches are very visible. Is it worth touching up, or would I risk of messing it? Could I try to use a very thin permanent maker felt pen instead?

Welcome to the club, RotorMotor. Apparently our paint jobs are just that soft (my service manager agrees) b/c I used to drive a Chevy Blazer and never got a single paint chip. In two months, I've accumulated quite a few. I wonder if that would also partly explain the pervasive orange peel problem...?

But good advice, Gyro. Where can I get clear coat compound?

Road chips happen.

Clear bra helps prevent it. It appears to be overpriced, but is a necessity if you do a lot of freeway driving. I will be getting it before too long.

Some touch up paints come with the brush inside the cap AND what liiks like a ball point pen on the cap as well. Is the "pen" equivalent to the match or toothpick?

on my last car
I had the front bumper repainted every six months or so because I didn't want a clear bra

on my 8 I use the touch up paint from mazda and a toothpick

true, rock chips happens.

but if you want to reduce the amount you get, dont follow too closely.

when Im on the highway, I am constantly looking for "clean air" and f' in trucks!

just my own habits, which are somewhat effective

Hey guys, I am applying my clear front end bra today, I will post pics tommorrow with DIY instructions.

I have done this on an Audi S4, (black) and it is amazing how it protects the paint. Do a search for my other thread, if there is any interest for others to have this, I have a connection that can get us a great deal.

Oh, and you can still wax the car like normal, the wax build up around the edges of the clear film can be rubbed away pretty easily. :)

I got a clear bra put on my RX-8 too. I is an absolute lifesaver. Mine was made by Armor Glove and put on at a local detailer/distrubuter. Cost me $350 installed for the full front bumper and rear bumper (the part right under the trunk lid so when you lean into the trunk you don't scratch the bumper). Best thing you can do for peace of mind concerning rock chips on the bumper

Any photos?

I recently noticed that people "curb the shoulder" when they're racing cars they know they can't beat. When this happens they wind up kicking up all sorts of debris into the car that is coming up hard on them. I saw this happen three times already..luckily never to me. Who came up with this idea? Seems like for all "street racers" it is a high price to pay for your ego.

BTW: Yesterday I missed getting hit by a sword by about 5 feet on 287 in NJ. I'm not shitting you...that could have created quite the chip. Watch out for rocks and swords.

dan gi only have axe's coming at me on the highway...bet a sword woudl hurt..it woudl pierce more:D

This is a good article on repairing paint chips.

I don't know if it is just the yellow touch up paint from Mazda, but it sucks.

I used it for a scratch on my roof and a rock chip on my fender. In both areas it turned white.

I shook up the paint very well, used a toothpick to put on the smallest amount I could which was still a good size drop. For the rock chip the blob filled the chip fairly well, but a month later it turned white in color.

The Mazda stuff is very hard to use. I have two bottles of the stuff and both dry extremely fast and becomes very stringy quickly. It is nearly impossible to put on a tiny dab because it will dry out before you can make it to the car's surface. I don't know if a thinner would help in the application process, but I don't really care. If the stuff is going to turn white in the long run, then I obviously don't want to use it.

I ordered a different brand from another company. I will let you know how it works

Don't forget for really small pits try rubbing compound first. It works really well.

-Mr. Wigggles

its not just the yellow
my red touch up seems to turn dark or black

use a toothpick...or a hat pin....it take more time....but it work's the best.

What more can an 8 love want, something that takes time, looks the best, and last!!

...like our 0-60 times

Well, ok then. Has any one tried using the Langka kit? And Lufa, how did your chip repair turn out? I know you have a TiGrey, have you noticed any discolorization? I have ordered the Langka kit, and will attempt it this weekend - we're supposed to get another layer of snow around these parts, so I'm not going anywhere:(
I'll post after I do the Langka deed...

Clay Bar?
 

I cannot find 3000 grit sandpaper anywhere. Would a claybar work to smooth it out after letting the touch up paint dry for a week. I hear that detailing guys use clay bars to smooth out overspray.

Detailers use clay bars to *remove* the overspray. The overspray adhers to the clay better than the paint it is sitting on.

I dont think the clay bar contains enough abrasive to take off the top of the touch up paint. Wet sanding with 2000 grit sandpaper as described above will do it. Just be gentle and follow the steps outlined above. Good luck.

:eek: I've used Mazda's yellow touchup paint on my 8 since last Fall. I agree it dries/goes stringy very quickly, but mine didn't turn white and hasn't turned white in the 6 months or so it's been on the car.

Must be all those oil refinery explosions in Houston, they must put some nasty fumes in the air!

toothpicks work best do the edge with the point, snap it in half and use the thicker part to fill in the body of it.

Despite popular belief, the air quality in Houston is not that bad and MUCH better than many parts of California.

Anyway, I used http://www.automotivetouchup.com/touch_up_paint.asp to get my yellow this time and it looks much better and was much easier to apply.

They also have these super nifty micro-dabbers that work much better than toothpicks.

-Mr. Wigggles

Just wanted to add my 2 cents.....I work for a Mercedes-Benz Dealership and we send our cars to the bodyshop for rock chips. I went over to check out how they fix it due to curiosity one day. They use an airbrush and wipe off the excess. It looks flawless. It's not cheap, but it looks incredible. I'm gonna have them do my Sunlight Silver 8 once a year!

thats cool

can you get a price quote
I could have mercedes do mine then also

do you people get that roughened surface? i hope i'm making sense here, but i get it mostly on the side skirts. and if so, what do you do about it?

this is all you will ever need, easy DIY:

http://www.langka.com/

Clear Bra
 

Does Anyone Have A Clear Bra? How Does It Look? What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages?

ROCK chips
 

I have used the Mazda touch up paint on a few chips to the front bumper and like most think the paint SUCKS. It needs about four or five applications with the cut end of a toothpick or a soft match to cover the chip in the black plastic bumper. The next chip will get some of my can of red rust destroyer primer first as my RX8 is red. That may help.

As for the touch-up paint bump. Go to your friendly neighbourhood Walmart and buy the 2000 grit wet/dry sand paper and the 3M scratch remover. In Canada, that will cost you a whopping 10 bucks in total. Give the bump or in fact any scratch in your plastic lenses or paint a little wet rub. I will look white and cloudy at this point. Ofcourse don't go crazy and rub off the clear coat. Then a little 3M scratch remover (NOT rubbing compound!!!) on a cloth, a little rubbing and it's gone. The 3M scratch remover is great stuff. It will feel a little gritty but breaks down real fast to give a smooth finish. It may require 3 or 4 times with the 3M to get it just right. A little wax and it's almost invisible.

I hope this cheap fix helps.

Velocity Red Mica Touch Up Paint need
 

Does anyone in the Detroit, Michigan area know where I can pick up a bottle? I didn't get one when I purchased my 8 in 03 and want to clean up a couple of chips. Dealerships don't have any and none around in auto supply stores. Roxi

Check here to see if this is the stuff. 3M scratch remover online its 7.49 per 8 oz bottle, no idea how much shipping is on it. www.carbonandchrome.com/prod-0031748.html

Ramses

Call Rosenthal Mazda at 1-800-347-3493. They will get you some touch up paint.

its worth repeating;

the one, the only, the best ...