How to Deal with a Small Paint Chip on a White Car?
3 Answers
Here are the methods to deal with a small paint chip on a white car: 1. Minor Scratch Repair: (1) Use toothpaste. Clean the scratch with water and let it dry, then slightly dampen a towel, apply toothpaste to it, and rub the scratch firmly. Generally, light scratches and residual paint marks from minor collisions will be removed immediately. This method is particularly effective for removing paint residue from other vehicles after a scrape, but it may not work well for deeper scratches. (2) Car wax. This method is simple yet effective. Apply car wax to the small scratch, soak a towel in warm water, and repeatedly rub the waxed area several times. This will remove the small scratch and also enhance the shine of the paint. 2. Visible Scratches Without Damaging the Paint: (1) Touch-up paint pen. A touch-up paint pen is suitable for small scratches. Choose a color that matches your car's paint, as some pens may have noticeable color differences. While convenient, touch-up pens have drawbacks, such as short adhesion time, potential peeling over time, and uneven application affecting appearance. (2) Apply nail polish. Clean the scratched area with water and let it dry. Select nail polish in a color matching your car's paint and apply it evenly to the scratch. Keeping a bottle of nail polish in your car allows for quick touch-ups before driving. (3) Sand with wet sandpaper. For very fine scratches, prepare a piece of wet sandpaper and a basin of water. Soak the sandpaper, then gently sand the scratches. Be careful not to sand too long or too hard, as this may expose the metal underneath.
My white car also got some paint chipped by a stone recently, near the front wheel. I bought an original touch-up pen directly, making sure to double-check the color code because there are many shades of white, like pearl white and pure white, which differ significantly. The steps are quite simple: first, clean the scratch with an alcohol wipe to ensure no grease or dust remains; then apply the touch-up paint lightly, don’t overdo it, let the first layer dry before applying the second; after two days, use 2000-grit sandpaper with water to gently smooth it out, and finally, apply polishing wax to restore the shine. When driving, try to avoid roads with lots of stones to prevent frequent damage. Patience is key throughout the process—if the area is small, doing it yourself isn’t too troublesome and can save you hundreds in repair costs.
I was stunned when I noticed a small paint chip on my new car not long after buying it. I searched online for solutions and heard that touch-up pens work well, so I bought a white one to try. Cleaning the scratch is essential—soapy water will do. Applying the paint requires a steady hand to avoid unevenness. I applied a bit too much, which caused some raised areas after drying, so I had to smooth it out with a nail file. Comparatively, a professional shop would probably charge around 200 yuan for a hassle-free fix, but I enjoy the DIY experience. Advice: If the scratch exposes bare metal, deal with it immediately to prevent rust from rainwater. Minor scratches are fine to fix yourself—it’s a good way to practice hands-on skills.
