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Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:31 am
by tmesis
Please forgive a rather simplistic question from a guy with zero technical knowledge/ability.

My car is 1954 pre A coupe in pearl grey 5407. It was fully restored to original condition around two and a half years ago by Roger Bray. The other day I noticed a stone chip on the bonnet, around 2mm in diameter. Should I -

1) ignore it and stop obsessing (it might rust.)
2) try and touch it up myself (not confident that I won't make it worse.)
3) get a professional to sort it (I've spent a fortune on the car so may as well.)

If I go for option 3) will it be undetectable and has anyone had experience of these mobile guys, like Chips away etc?

Thanks a lot.

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:17 am
by Ignatzcatz
Definitely option 3. Our first Cayenne in gunmetal had a nasty scratch on the rear bumper caused from heaving a heavy bit of engine into the boot,
the scratch was eliminated by a company advised through our local independent Porsche garage, Cridfords. The guy used an airbrush and a heat gun, very clever and you couldn't see the join.

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:28 am
by hot66
ignore it and look upon it as you making the car yours and your bit of history :) Front of my 2.4S is peppered with stone chips 8)

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:36 am
by Hendrik Moulds
Is it through to the metal?
If so something should be done, personally I would just touch it up myself as I would suspect the whole bonnet will need repainting.
May as well wait until there's a few more chips on there as they are inevitable if you plan on driving it (which you should)! :)

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 11:25 am
by POR68
I agree with Hendrik. There will be other chips soon enough. Seal it with a little spot of clear and enjoy driving your car. Life's too short.

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 11:33 am
by oldtimer
Dealing with stone chips on a pre A is no different to dealing with stone chips on any other car. As Hendrik says ,if the metal is exposed you would best blob something on it right away , can use clear lacquer like my wife uses on her nails or an off white primer as that will not befar off original colour. I would contact Roger Bray to see if he can supply you with a small quantity of correct Porsche colour code paint . You don't need much . I have a pre A in Speedster Blue and that is a very hard colour to source , it was only offered for 1 year , even the Wilhoit spray out card is wrong . I got Bruce Cooper of Sportwagen to make up some Glasurit 22 line paint to match the car , and use that with a paperclip wire end to dob a blob on the latest chip(s) . Keep driving !

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:25 pm
by TLC356
Fix it yourself and you'll always see it. Get the right pro and fix it right. Some pro's will want to paint the whole hood/bonnet, but somebody who specializes in chip/scratch repair can fix a small chip so that it will be invisible.
Like Ignatzcatz I was able to have a front bumper scratch on a Boxster repaired by a specialist and although I watched the repair being done, years later I still can not find any evidence of the repair.

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 3:13 pm
by Magnum
I confess i'm looking at a similar thing on a non-Porsche classic I have. Isn't the repair complexity to a "home enthusiast, well that's what I am I think" (ie chance of high success) largely determined by the type of paint - for example a modern metallic with clear coat is most difficult and old fashioned solid colour easiest?

If old fashioned paint then match colour, toothpick a blob into stone chip so just proud, wait to dry, flat it back with waterpaper (what grade?), polish? Job done! Or is it easier to write this sort of theoretical stuff on a forum?? :lol: :lol: :roll:

All above written with high expectation and positive anticipation of my own adventure!

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 1:34 pm
by TLC356
If the paint color is a good match, with patience you hopefully will get a good outcome. I've been told that when wet sanding, use a flat stick behind the sand paper for a better result than if you use your finger. Good luck. TLC

Re: Stone chip on pre A bonnet

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 5:52 pm
by tmesis
Thanks for all the advice on this. In the end I let Roger Bray sort it out when I had it serviced last month. He did a fantastic job and, try as I might, I can't see where it was.