Touch-up Paint on Rock Chips.... Best method?

Our 2024 4runner just hit 12,000 miles and I've noticed some new rock chips after our recent road trip which was to be expected (The worst is one big one on driver-side rear door.)

I purchased the OEM Toyota Paint match for our 4runner (White - Ice Cap /

$15 00258-00040-21 Toyota Touch up Paint 040 Super White Genuine Scion/Lexus

00258-00040-21) and plan on using that, but wanted to see what other forum members use as their method for repairing these rock chips.

It appears there are a few methods people use:
1) Do nothing - I know some people just aren't that obsessive and don't mind defects, but I'm not one of them. I also have concerns about rust forming with the metal exposed

2) Clean the chip and dab a little touch-up paint and call it a day (seems easiest)

3) Wet sand the chip to smooth out edges, clean, add touch-up paint (base color), wet sand, add touch-up paint (clear) then polish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRNZjFZhHvM
I'm also unsure if the white paint doesn't have a separate clear coat or if it's an all-in-one type of paint. If there is a separate clearcoat, it sounds like I will need to head back to Toyota to pick one up.

My preference is doing things right and I would prefer option 3. I just am a little nervous about the west sanding of the paint, but it sounds like the higher grits won't cause any issues if I follow the video guide.

Any input on this? How do other members treat their rock chips?

Please keep in mind that this is my first new vehicle and all of this is new and disheartening to me as it is hard for me to watch an item that was perfect at pick-up degrade in front of my eyes. Fortunately, I have PPF on the front end of my vehicle and the chips are elsewhere.

Thank you!

 

This is my personal opinion, but I just hit it with the scratchy tip if there’s anything in there but otherwise just dab it with the touch-up paint and leave it be.

I noticed a weird tall and thin rectangular (ish) chip on my driver’s door and no idea what’s up with that actually - but yep just hit it with some touchup paint and I’ll see where we are in a few years.

 

I used to have some Toyota 040 White touch up but it dried up. So now I just squirt some rattle can gloss white into the paint can cap and dab out of that for touch ups. I installed a clear bra shortly after I bought my car so I rarely need to touch up chips.

 

There are a variety of automotive touch up brushes on Amazon and I bought a lot of different kinds for different types of chips. Some are very fine artist brushes and some small white style brushes.

I have also found (thanks Mom) that thr corner of am of school match works awesome for some very small chips. Just one dab and you are done on some of those spots.

Keep some old tshirt pieces or towel nearby. If you don’t like your first application you have a minute or so to wipe it off and try it again.

Not sure where you are but I’d do it on a warmer day and park in the sun for a bit. In Michigan Januaries I have taken a hair dryer and gave paint some heat but only really if I needed to do it then. Or use someone’s garage.

Also I replace my touch up paint every 12-16 mos as it goes bad. I have a place near me that mixes up new batches to the paint code. They shipped to one other member here a while back. I put it below if needed. They can give it to you in a small bottle, and or spray can.

I hope these tips help. I get your pain for sure.

 

Forgot to mention I would be careful with that wet sanding stuff. If you don’t know what you’re doing you can quickly remove the clear coat off the surrounding area and create a bigger issue.

In my opinion. The bigger issue is making sure it’s clean and getting paint on there to prevent rust.

 

Anyone use Dr. Colorchip?

 

Amen. That’s exactly what I do. Not looking for perfection I just don’t want rust.

 

Used the OEM touch up paint quite a few times. Even on trail damage that was wayy more than a rock chip lol. Honestly I wet sand and buff to try and blend it. It's not perfect at all, but looks good from about five feet away. I try to keep in mind that touch up paint is to seal up the metal and keep rust from forming or chips from growing larger. I don't expect it to look perfect. Hell, if I wanted to keep my 4R perfect I'd just keep it in the garage!

 

I have the same as you, a 2024 ORP in Ice Cap. I use the Toyota 040 touch up. The color matches perfectly. I guess I could say I was shocked but fortunately the paint color blends into the chips and hides it very well. Quite pleased really and I am, well, particular, about rock chips especially on the nose. Just don’t overdo the paint - less is more as they say.

 

Thanks everyone!

I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but I don't trust myself doing any wet sanding as I can picture it going bad very quickly.

I washed the truck again today and towel dried with a microfiber and only found a few:
1) Rear Driver-side door (largest rock chip of all)
2) Driver-side above windshield
3) Passenger-side above TRD ORP emblem
4) Passenger-side rear door

It got a little late and I plan on filling them in tomorrow. Bought some alcohol to clean them and will use the touch-up paint to fill them - using tooth picks for the real small chips.

I will say that PPF has served me well in the front of the truck. All rock chips I'm working on are outside the PPF area.

I know I'm overthinking it a bit, but know the real value is preventing Rust.

 

Yeah, for simple chips, don’t wet sand. That’s just going to make your problem 10x worse. I like the matchstick idea from @mac1usa . For some chips, a sharp toothpick is an even applicator, since most chips do best if you simply fill them with touchup paint and let surface tension do the rest. Gotta do it with warm paint and surface though, otherwise it doesnt flow well.

For chips, trying to put clearcoat on top will make it look like crap, unless you’re really good at guessing how much paint to wick onto the surface, so the it leaves enough “space” for a 1/8 drop of clearcoat to lay flat in the painted-in chip.

Just do the touch up paint and call it good. Even if it turns out bad…call it good.

Then put the paint down, and slowly back away from the vehicle.

 

example of some trail damage that required touch up paint, wet sanding, cut and polish. Hard to even see unless you zoom in… but these were down to the black plastic.

For clarity, I wouldn’t wet sand for simple rock chips. But this kind of stuff is a bit more extensive

 

Weather started getting cold out here and I was able to apply 1 thin layer at 50 degrees after using some alcohol to clean the chip. I also used the tip of the touch-up to gently scuff the chip before applying.

I will do a better job this spring when I can finally strip all the wax off, clay bar, and ceramic coat the truck.