Dealing with paint chips.....

[MAYO]

Since I have owned my MKV GTI I have always been bothered by some unsightly chips down the leading edge of the drivers door left by the previous owner (clearly he kept opening the door against a wall !). As the car is Graphite Blue they are clearly visible. What's the best method for dealing with these? I've been down to my local "Chips Away", but some bloke stood there scratching his a**e and blowing his cheeks out saying that he wasn't sure he could get a good match, but he was going to charge me £100 to try !!!!

Anybody had some experiences of getting chips dealt with. I don't want to give my pride and joy to some muppet with a touch up pen. I'm based in Northants.

Cheers

Andy

[mb]

I got a tin of paint from paints4u to do the stone chips on my bonnet (thread in the Detailing section), and I manged to cover the chips on the edge of my door with that using a cocktail stick.  Luckily the chips weren't that big to start with.  I have got a few other chips that I plan to sort out with wet sanding once I have time and the weather is good for a couple of days.

BTW, my car is Graphite Blue as well!

[vRS_Pagey]

Like md, I have used a touch up paint applying with a cocktail stick, leave the paint slightly proud of the surrounding bodywork, leave 24 hrs to fully cure then wet sand with 2000 - 3000 grit wet n dry, I stuck a piece a bit bigger than the chip on the end of a pencil to isolate the area.  Once it was level I hit it with a machine polisher.....I defy anyone to find it. 

Also Graphite Blue Pearl. 

[Kalpsn2000]

I am planning on doing some chips on mine. Got the bits but slightly worried about wet & dry sanding on my bonnet.

After you have sanded do you need a cutting polish to remove the marks?

I only have AG SRP and will be doing it by hand.

[JPC]

In my opinion, if you haven't get someone to machine polish, don't even think of using sandpaper!

[mano]

My advice, get your keys, drive to local approved body shop, give him ur keys and walk home.

When it comes to paint best just leaaving it to the pro's.

My opinion anyway

[vRS_Pagey]

In my opinion, if you haven't get someone to machine polish, don't even think of using sandpaper!

Absoultely, I have repaired keyed areas on my own car by using touch up paint, followed by wet sanding then machine polishing with Menz Power Gloss (high cutting strength).  I can confirm you won't have a hope in hell of recovering the finish with SRP.

My advice, get your keys, drive to local approved body shop, give him ur keys and walk home.

When it comes to paint best just leaaving it to the pro's.

My opinion anyway

In most circumstances I agree with that, however I took my GTi rear valance to a 'specialist' who wanted £250 to prep and colour code the top half, but wouldn't guarantee the finish.  Ended up getting a friend to spray it after I completed the prep work.  Then I wet sanded with 3000 grit and machine polished, imo, better than bodyshop could hve done.  Since then I have prepped and sprayed the front splitter which also came out great.