What Causes Car Paint To Chip & What To Do About It

Car paint chipping is a common problem here in New Jersey. Paint chips not only mar the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle, the faulty paint finish won't protect the vehicle from rust.

Unfortunately, you can't always avoid the conditions which cause damage to the paint finish on your car except to have an auto painting shop apply a new clear coat as your vehicle ages. Read the following tips from our NJ auto body shop about what causes auto paint to chip, which conditions you can avoid, and what you can do about the paint chips.

Road Debris

Tires on big rigs are the worst at throwing road debris at your windshield. However, any type of sharp or heavy road debris can cause the paint to chip on your car.

There isn't much you can do to avoid paint damage from road debris impacts except to make sure your paint job stays in as good condition as possible. Older paint with a worn clear coat is more likely to chip.

Winter Weather In NJ

Snow, ice, and sunlight are the major cause of paint chips on New Jersey cars. Hours of daytime UV sun rays directly affect the protective paint finish on your vehicle. Years of exposure to ice, snow, and moisture will also cause auto paint chips.

Salt On Roads

Tons of salt are poured on roads during the winter in New Jersey. As cars drive on the roads, the tires spray salt and water from melting snow out.

Vandalism or Accidental Scratches

Any type of vandalism or accidental scratching on your car can cause the paint to chip. If someone keys your car or puts a gouge in your car door with their door, it's best to get the damage repaired quickly to avoid future chipping or peeling and rust damage.

How To Avoid Auto Paint Chips

Is your car's paint job looking a little dull? Your car has a clear coat layer on top to protects the base paint underneath. If the clear coat is wearing thin, your car is more likely to start chipping. To avoid paint chips, a new clear coat can be applied to the existing paint on your car. This will help your paint job last for many years longer.

Car owners in climates like ours will be lined up at the local car wash on freezing cold winter days just to get their chassis washed. Make sure you also regularly keep the top clean to ensure the paint finish is as strong as possible.

The Best Way To Fix Car Paint Chips

As in any auto body repair work, the difference is in the details when it comes to auto painting. Repairing paint chips and scratches takes quite a bit of skill to get right. The paint should look flawless and the color should match perfectly. Mistakes don't just look bad, they can affect the paint warranty. Most DIY paint chip repairs will simply make the problem worse.

Getting paint chip repair from a professional auto body shop is the best way to restore the beauty and overall value of your car. At NJ Auto Body, we provide expert auto painting service.

When we repair paint chips and scratches for our Elmwood Park customers, we make sure the finish looks brand new with no flaws, just as it did when it came from the factory. Find an auto body shop near you who offers factory restorations and uses advanced color matching methods for auto painting.