You know what your bonnet and front bumper look like after every winter. As though someone's been firing pellets at them. All that grit and those little stones on the roads leave tiny chips in the paint. You look at them and think they're nothing to worry about. But if one of those stones has gone right through to the metal, you could have rust appearing in exactly that spot a year or two later. And suddenly, something that would have been a tiny repair has turned into an expensive problem. That's why I want to show you how to use Audi touch-up paint before it gets to that point.
Why shouldn't you ignore stone chips in your paintwork?
Here's the thing, my friend. Paint isn't just there to make your car look nice. It's also protecting the metal underneath. When a stone chips right through to bare metal, water and road salt can get straight to it. Rust starts in one tiny spot and quietly creeps underneath the paint without you even noticing. By the time you spot the first little bubble, you're looking at sanding down and respraying the whole panel. And you could have avoided all that with one little bottle of touch-up paint.
How do you find the right Audi touch-up paint colour?
Whatever you do, don't choose the colour from a photo. And definitely don't try to guess it by eye. Every Audi and VW has a paint code, usually four characters long. LY9B and LA7W are two examples. Look for it on the vehicle data sticker, usually in the boot near the spare wheel. You'll also find it in the service book. If you can't find it, send us your VIN and we'll tell you the exact paint code.
Two colours can look absolutely identical to you but have completely different paint codes. Take Audi silver, for example. There's more than one shade. So, my friend, always choose your touch-up paint by its paint code.
How do you apply touch-up paint properly?
- First, wash the damaged area thoroughly and let it dry completely.
- Next, remove any grease with a suitable cleaner or alcohol. If there's any wax left on the surface, the paint won't stick properly.
- If you can already see rust, carefully remove it with a fine tool. Stay inside the damaged spot.
- Give the bottle a good shake for at least one minute.
- Using the very tip of the brush, apply a really thin layer of paint just inside the chip. Don't get paint on the undamaged area around it.
- Let that layer dry before applying the next one. Keep going until you've filled the chip level with the surrounding paint.
- If you've got metallic or pearl paint, finish with a thin layer of clear lacquer.
Find yourself a shady spot out of the wind, where the temperature is above 15°C. And most importantly, take your time. Two thin coats are much better than one thick one. Trust me, the finish will look so much better.
When won't touch-up paint be enough?
- If you've got a long scratch rather than a tiny stone chip.
- If you can already see bubbles forming underneath the paint.
- If the panel itself has been dented.
That's when you need a professional paint shop. Genuine touch-up paint is made specifically for little stone chips and minor scratches. It does a brilliant job on those. But don't expect to fix more serious damage with a tiny brush.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: Every spring, when you give your car a proper wash, spend a little extra time looking at the bonnet and bumper. Check for stone chips and touch them up that same weekend. Half an hour's work could save you having to respray an entire panel. And when the day comes to sell your car, believe me, paintwork that's been properly looked after makes a completely different impression.
I hope you'll find a little time after this winter to have a good look at your car's paintwork. Don't let a few tiny chips turn into a big problem. And if I've helped you out, send this article to a friend too.
Find the right touch-up paint in our shop
Audi / VW touch-up paint LA7W, Reflex Silver Metallic
Audi / VW touch-up paint LA7W, Reflex Silver Metallic.
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Audi / VW touch-up paint L041, solid black, non-metallic
Audi / VW touch-up paint L041, solid black, non-metallic.
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Audi / VW touch-up paint LB9A, Candy White, non-metallic
Audi / VW touch-up paint LB9A, Candy White.
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Audi / VW touch-up paint LC3J, Kings Red Metallic
Audi / VW touch-up paint LC3J, Kings Red Metallic.
View in our shopRead more
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- Painting in our body and paint shop: how we make a repaired panel blend in perfectly
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the paint code for my Audi or VW?
Check the vehicle data sticker in the boot, usually near the spare wheel. You'll also find the same code in the service book.
How do I apply touch-up paint properly?
Clean the area thoroughly and remove any grease. Apply thin layers of paint only inside the little chip, letting each layer dry before adding the next.
When does a small stone chip become a serious problem?
When the stone has chipped the paint right down to bare metal. Water and road salt can then start causing rust, which gradually spreads underneath the paint.