I have about 10 or so very small paint chips and scratches on my 2017 F150. Not sure what they are from as most of them are on the side of the vehicle. I bought some touchup paint and clear coat from Automotive Touchup. I was just going to put the base color on and a little clear coat over it. However, now I am wondering if I need to put a drop of primer on it before the base coat. It is hard to tell how deep the chips are and if they are through the primer or not. I think the chips are pretty minor but they stand out a bit more because my vehicle is dark grey. Does anyone have thoughts on whether or not primer should be added to the chips first?

Also, I understand that the aluminum body shouldn't rust, but will it corrode and cause the paint to flake off like rust if I don't prep the spots properly?

 

Mine has several chips, and I have used the Ford bottle touch up paint. It is not perfect, but covers and matches. It still has the divots from the rocks, and I did not try to fill in or level them. I could not see bare metal through my chips - it was light, but I thought it was probably still the primer, so I have just used the paint and clear coat over them. I haven't tried hitting them with polishing compound or anything like that either. I did order some spray touch up form Automotive Touch Up for the tailgate assist hinge, when I did that upgrade. It matched well and actually looked better than the factory paint on the original hinge, so I'd call it a win. Good luck.

 

I've been using Dr Color Chip for the last year and love it.

https://www.drcolorchip.com/

 

Thanks. I will have to give that one a try as well.

 

Depending on color I use Nail Polish. I find a color that matches pretty well and away I go. It is pretty cheap and easy. It is lacquer paint so no clear required, you can smooth it with lacquer thinner to match the level of the existing paint as well. I go to dollar tree and buy the cheap stuff.

I do a little scuff sanding with 300 plus grit along the edges to smooth them out a bit. I clean the scratch or chip bottom with acetone or lacquer thinner just a touch to get any dirt wax etc out. Then away I go with the polish. Been doing it like this for years with no problem.

 

Here's what i do to touch up chips and deep to metal scratches.
First carefully use a fine grit wet sandpaper and get any oxidation removed from any bare metal and if necessary any paint bubbling paint around the chip.
I'm talking a wet sandpaper around a tooth pick or something.
Second, i swab clean the area with 90% rubbing alcahol then let dry.
I then apply a primer but very carefully with a fine brush, tooth pick or what ever works being careful not to go over good paint.
After the primer dries then i apply the top coat usually bought from the dealership.
Clear coat optional but i found not necessary with most smaller chips.
If the fix ends up looking bumpy, i'll use a sanding block but with a durable cloth instead of sandpaper coated with light rubbing compound to flaten the fix.

 

I actually ordered this yesterday. Plan on trying it out this weekend.

 

Google matchstick touch up paint

Uncle has worked in body shops for years and that is what he always recommends after we paint a car and something happens/comes up. It works to increase the thickness of the paint to what you need.

 

I use these and base coat/clear coat from Napa.

Since I had painted the topper to match I have left over paint and clear, but you can go to just about any body shop and they can mix up a small bottle of matching base, and you can use any clear to top it off. The touchups on mine will be harder than the lacquer ones because I use enamel and hardener for the clear.

 

Dr. Color Chip is the best, buy on line and watch their videos. You can not tell from factory paint.