Today after washing my '05, I noticed what appeared to be a white piece of confetti on my hood. After closer inspection, sadly I've realized that something in Atlanta traffic has had no mercy and clipped it down to primer.

Now, I pose a quesiton. Should I take it to the dealer and take it up the @$$ for a repaint of the hood or investigate a composite hood? Even possibly a modded hood that might come pre-painted? Any thoughts,ideas URL's would be greatly appreciated.

How big is the damaged spot? Something you may want to consider if the spot is not overly large is using some touch-up paint in conjunction with a 3M product called Finesse It. I had great succes with this in the past. What I did was use the touch-up paint to coer the damage, wait a few weeks, then apply the Finesse It with a buffer.

Just a thought...

-K

Thanks, that might be an option. Like I said earlier, it's sized like a piece of confetti. My goat is black and it's down to the white. I do have "touch-up" paint from Pontiac, but, I'd never get it smooth enough not to notice. Maybe your suggestion is worth looking into.

Would you know of any application techniques to help "fill" the chip smoothly?

Be prepared for more, it's the only complaint I have, the paint chips very easy. I think a few of mine came from hard rain.

I'd never get it smooth enough not to notice.

Would you know of any application techniques to help "fill" the chip smoothly?

I'm no expert. It may take a couple of applications of the touch up paint. Again, once the paint is applied I would wait a couple of weeks before working with Finesse It. I don't know how to describe Finesse It to you, but it works well. As you are aware, using a touch up paint is tricky because it is often "brushed" on, whereas the remaining paint on the car has been "sprayed". That is where Finesse It comes in. If you already have the touch up paint, you just need the Finesse It. The last time I bought it, it was $20 per bottle (which is pretty big). Consider this, if it does not work to your satisfaction, you are only out $20 and some of your time.

I seem to recall getting Finesse It at a Napa autoparts store.

From the 3M Website:

3M™ Finesse-it™ II Finishing Material, 05928, 1 Quart (US), 12 per case (http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/home_leisure/-/node_GSJD3L5RVHgs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSHCV1ZFXKge/bgel_GSWQLPJ14Nbl/gvel_GSM12RXKY9gl/theme_us_homeleisure_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html)
Designed to remove minor scratches and light oxidation while producing a high-gloss wet look finish on fiberglass and painted surfaces. Product contains no wax or silicone.