Hi all,

Quite a few small scratches and chips on our "new" car (got at a good price, so not to worried), any one used Chips away or similar? Might do the job myself but there are quite a few scratches, some though clear coat a couple to the primer, it might be best to use a pro?

I may just us touch up paint on the deeper ones for the time being but would be best to fix properly.

Thoughts welcome.

Cheers

Dan

The OEM that I work for may or may not use them to touch up any minor blemishes that occur during transit etc.

I personally haven't used them but equally haven't heard of any bad experiences with them, and from my understanding they are quite reasonable. Your results may vary!

They are ok usually - but bear in mind that they are not magicians!

A painted chip looks like a chip that has been painted i.e. they don't completely remove them they just do their best to hide them. As long as this is what you are after then fine.

I used them when I had scuffs on either rear corner of the bumper (one caused by some car park driver ) and a fine scratch down one side of the car.
The results were rubbish. The paint is a good match but you can see the edges were he sprayed into the masking tape and on one corner the scuff is still there, just painted over. The fine scratch is also there too. He just whizzed over it with a polisher a couple of times with a fine paper then with a mop. Rubbish and not worth the £100 he charged.
My brother used an alternative company for his MR2 when it had a few chips and his results were great though. Can't remember the company though.

I have used a company called shine with good results, they do all the repairs for Halfords

I had them do a stone chip about 10 years ago. The finish was perfect. He did it and showed me and I thought it was spot on, then he said he wasn't happy with the shade and did it again a shade lighter. I'd highly recommend them, but do remember they're franchises, so they're only as good as the guy who does your car.

My brother had his impreza door keyed last year and had chips away to do it. It was £180 IIRC so about the same as a proper repair but he went ahead with it anyway.

He came to where we work and did it under a big gazebo and it only took about an hour!



Would probably have been a better finish though if he'd used one of these:




In all fairness though as stated above it's a franchised thing.

ATB
Stott

Used Chips away and you could not see the repair paint match was perfect and I would recomend the guy I used. (he was older and spent a bit of time doing the job)

George

We use them all the time at work - we used to use shine (as well as fit out their vans........) untill a bit of a falling-out , and never had a problem with quality .

I had a company Audi that got clipped in the rear arch by some kid.

Got Chipsaway guy to bash / fill and paint the panel and it looked OK to my eye.

However one of the lads on the shop floor noticed that the metallic flakes were a slightly different size from the original paintwork. Didn't bother me.

I've since had several quotes for minor paintwork, but the costs are comparable to a small independant bodyshop.

Thanks Guys looks like results are variable depending who does it.. May be better of with a small paint shop, may do a quick job myself.

Ta

Dan