Out on Hamilton’s roads – whether you’re cruising down Te Rapa Straight or dealing with potholes over in Dinsdale – paint chips and scratches just happen. Doesn’t matter if you’re rocking a tidy Toyota Blade, a Skoda Superb from Matangi, or even a classic Suzuki Swift driving home from Gordonton. Every bit of gravel flicking up off the State Highway, those tight parks at The Base, or even just the odd rogue trolley at Pak’nSave – eventually, your car’s paint is gonna cop a knock or two.
What usually causes paint to chip?
Honestly, most of the time it sneaks up on you. Say you’re driving out to Cambridge for footy on a Saturday – chips just from road grit, especially after winter when the council’s been gritting the roads. Or maybe you’ve been dodging potholes down Morrinsville Road or dealing with heaps of stop-start in Flagstaff on those foggy Hamilton mornings. That dirt builds up over time, too. Seen it plenty on a Honda Fit that hadn’t seen a sponge in months – that grit can scratch the paint if you brush it off dry, or worse, let it sit there all summer through the heat.
Small scratch paint pens could touch up.
And don’t get me started on the shopping centres – doors swinging open, some muppet with no clue about parking, or those battered public car parks in Frankton. Plenty of the Ford Rangers and Mazda Axelas we see have got that tell-tale scrape down the side where they’ve brushed up against something tight.
When can you sort it with a paint pen?
You’d be surprised. If it’s a little chip from a stone coming down River Road, or your Nissan Leaf copped a scratch from a low branch in Tamahere, paint pens are usually spot-on. They’re good for:
- Small scratches – the stuff that doesn’t catch your fingernail too much
- Long-ish but shallow lines (like when those branches brush along the panels)
- Rock chips, especially around the lower doors or front bumper
- Minor marks from slower knocks that didn’t dent the panel
If you’ve got anything that’s started rusting through, though, that’s more serious – rust repairs are needed before you even think about touching up the paint. Same goes for those deep gouges you sometimes get, especially on SUVs like a Hyundai Santa Fe after a rough week at the job site. A paint pen just won’t cut it if the metal’s showing or the panel’s been scuffed smooth.
Why bother with paint pens?
Full panel resprays can cost a stack, and for a little touch-up, it’s often not worth it. Paint pens come in a heap of colours now, so whether you drive a bright yellow Kia Stonic or a grey BMW 1 Series, there’ll be something to match. Quick tip – always check the paint code (that little sticker under your bonnet or door jamb). Matching the colour right is important – there’s more to it than just “red” or “white” these days. If you need a hand figuring that out, one of our techs can always help.
Car Paint Touch Up Pens in Hamilton
Got a chip or a scratch that’s catching your eye? We see it every week, all makes and models – from mum’s family wagon to work utes to Japanese imports. Our team at Grimmer Motors can use paint pens to tidy up those little imperfections so you don’t end up with bigger issues like rust. It’s affordable, gets you sorted quickly, and you know the job actually gets done right. If you want a bit of extra love (and a free wash thrown in with your car service), we’re your crew. Give us a shout if your car needs a tidy-up – you’ll be stoked with how much fresher it’ll look.