Mother's Chip Repair Kit

NattyBumppo

NattyBumppo

Strange name, ain't it?
I got to use the Mother's Chip Repair Kit to day and I couldn't be happier with the results. I've generally had horrific luck touching up paint chips and usually make things much worse than if left alone. With the Mother's kit, a very noticeable, down to bare metal chip on the front fender of my Mazda is now only visible if you get within inches of the spot.

Procedure;

1. Use a soft cloth with some Isopropyl alcohol and clean the spot to remove any wax or sealant that may inhibit the touch-up paint to properly adhere.

2. Fill the spot with touch-up paint and don't worry about leveling it or smoothing it out.

3. After two hours apply enough of the Mother's leveling solution to cover the touched-up spot. Now take the pad provided in the kit, wrap it in a soft but smooth cotton cloth (I used a white cotton t-shirt) and gently rub the spot for about 10 seconds.

The result was a perfectly level touch-up wth no runs or bumps and no paint anywhere except in the chip. No way I could have done this good a job (or even close) with just a matchstick or the little brush that comes in the factory touch-up paint bottle. This particular chip was very deep and I can see one or two more applications will be needed to make it absolutely perfect and level with the factory paint.

I think the kit was around ten bucks at my local Carquest Auto Parts and IMO, well worth every cent. I did a quick walk around the car and even though I know exacly where the spot was, I couldn't notice it without stopping and looking.

Now before anyone gets their rump in a tizzy...I KNOW I KNOW....where are the before and after pics? Well Natty is now without a digi-cam (sold my setup in prep for a new one) so pics are not possible right now. All I can say is for ten bucks give it a try if you're touch-up challenged like ol' Natty is. I seriously doubt you'll be disappointed.
 
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Good to hear ... I have been wanting to try that stuff for some time.
What brand of touch up paint did you use?
It seems like they all act a little different when applied.
Thanks for the update!
 
Natty,
Do you think that leveling solution is just a solvent type thing like mineral spirits? What does it smell like? The reason I ask is because I use the same process for small chips and use mineral spirits to level. I would like to find something that isn't as strong as mineral spirits though since sometimes it removes all the touched up paint if I'm not careful and delicate about it.
 
Kim....I used Mazda touch-up paint. Good point though about diferent brands. One would think ouch-up paint from the auto manufacturers would be sourced from only a few major automotive paint providers (Dupont, PPG, Sherwin Williams?) and thus be pretty consistent but who knows. FWIW....the Mazda white paint on my car seems extremely soft. It chips VERY easily, much more easily than any other car I've owned.

Denverdetail....the leveling solution looks like a white colored polish and has the consistency of say Meg's Swirl Free Polish. The instructions say not to let it dry on the paint. I didn't notice any smell but honestly, I didn't try to. I'll give it a whiff when I get home later.
 
NattyBumppo said:
if you're touch-up challenged like ol' Natty is.
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Well, I'm "challenged" in more ways that that, so it sounds like this stuff is for me. :D

Seriously, it sounds like it's a pretty handy kit! :bigups
 
I will throw in my $0.02....The kit is very easy to use and you can get very good results with it. I used it on my mom's Blazer while I was on a visit and she cannot tell where the chip I repaired was at. If you are very meticulous, like most poeple here at DC, you will be able to tell if you know what you are looking for. It takes a few times use to get comfy with it, but overall it's very easy and produces good results.

To me, it does seem to have a chemical smell to it. However, it is not strong.
 
Another .02 worth.
My first experience was a year or two ago. Long before Mother's was involved, (at least, publicly), and it was still Langka.
Overall, I have been pretty satisfied, but I have had mixed results. Sometimes very good, other times, not so good. It is very possible that the different types of touch-up paint might have contributed to that.

One thing I have found. If you are not happy with the results, you can remove the touch-up paint completely with the leveler and do it over.
IMO, it is another good product to have available.

Charles
 
I have tried it withoout success on my car. I think it has to do with the metallic paint. Didnt work well at all. I used as instructed too.
 
Dalton said:
I have tried it withoout success on my car. I think it has to do with the metallic paint. Didnt work well at all. I used as instructed too.
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It did not work well for me when I tried to use a clearcoat over the chip. Maybe it was the paint or maybe it isn't designed to be used for clearcoat. ???
 
Can't you get the correct color match from the dealer instead of guessing how the over the counter paint will react?
 
Yes, all you would need would be the paint color code. You may not even need that at the dealer, they may know what it is or they could go look for the sticker in your door jamb.
 
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