How to Repair Paint Chip with BMW Touch Up Paint
Paint chip on your BMW can be a nuisance.
No matter how small the blemish is, it is still an eyesore every time you see it, and you just can’t get it out of your head! Luckily, you don’t need to make an appointment with the repair shop or spend a ton of money to get it fixed. Here are easy-to-follow DIY steps you can take to repair a small paint chip with BMW touch up paint. How to Repair a Paint Chip with BMW Touch Up Paint in 5 Steps
- Step 1: Clean and Prep
- Step 2: Apply Primer
- Step 3: Apply BMW Touch Up Paint
- Step 4: Apply Clear Coat
- Step 5: Wash and Wax

Step 1: Clean and Prep
Wash the chipped area thoroughly. Use a soft cloth to clean the paint chip and make sure to remove any debris or grease for the BMW touch-up paint to apply smoothly. You can use a mild car wash solution with warm water, which helps to eliminate tough grease and oil easier.
If the paint damage is a light surface scratch only, you can try using a car paint scratch remover first to see if the blemish can be camouflaged. Paint scratch removers can repair minor scuff marks on the clear coat or surface area of the paint effectively. See our complete guide on How to Remove BMW Paint Scratch.
If you can feel the indentation of the paint chip with your hand, or the chipped area has rough edges, paint scratch remover may not be enough to fix the damage. You will need to go through a more thorough repair process.
Start cleaning up the paint scratch by using dry, fine grit sandpaper to gently smooth out the rough edge of the chip, so the new paint can blend in better with the original color. Be careful not to sand the paint outside the chipped area.
It is recommended to use detailing clay to remove tough debris and embedded particles from the damaged area which soap and water cannot wash away. Detailing clay can grip onto and remove small fragments so you have a clean, smooth surface to work with.
Thoroughly rinse and dry the area before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Apply Primer
Primer or base coat helps the BMW touch-up paint to better adhere to the metal. If you have a paint chip with a slight dent, the primer can also help “fill in” the indentation to make it look less visible.
If the paint chip is flat or small, use only a slight amount enough to create a thin layer on the chipped area. Clean off the excess primer immediately to avoid the repair to become bumpy or having a “raised look” after the paint is applied. If the chip is merely a scratch, you can skip this step.
Allow the primer to dry completely before applying BMW touch up paint.

Step 3: Apply BMW Touch Up Paint
How to Select the Right Type of BMW Touch-up Paint
There are two types of convenient BMW touch-up paint for small paint chip repair:
- BMW touch up paint pen
: works best on tiny, flat paint chip
- BMW touch up paint bottle with a small applicator brush
: works on bigger paint chips, slightly dented chips, and on chips where there are enough room for the applicator brush to apply properly
How to Color Match BMW Touch-up Paint
To get the exact color of your BMW model’s paint, look for this information on the car door. If you want to double check, send your car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to the vendor to verify before making the purchase.
How to Apply BMW Touch-up Paint
If you are using the BMW touch-up paint pen, start at the center point of the chip. Press down the tip of the touch-up pen gently until a small amount of paint comes out (it works sort of like a white-out pen.) Carefully and thoroughly fill in the chip. If you are using the BMW touch-up paint in a bottle with a brush applicator, gently dab the brush into the chipped area until the chip is filled. Let the paint dry completely. Be careful not to let the paint overfill so much that it drips down on the car which will create unsightly paint marks on the car. Note that some paint may “shrink” slightly after it dries. You can either overfill the chip just a little bit or reapply (if the chip is still apparent) after the first layer of paint has completely dried.

Step 4: Apply Clear Coat
If you have a large paint chip, a clear top coat can help to protect the repair, make the chipped area less visible, and restore the shine of the original paint. However, this step is optional if you only have a small chip. You can purchase a clear coat that works with your BMW model. Dip a small brush applicator with a fine bristle into the clear coat lacquer. Apply a very thin layer on top of the repaired chip. Be careful not to overfill or let the liquid drip. Allow time for the clear coat to completely dry. Once dried, the repaired area should blend in nicely with the original paintwork.
Step 5: Wash and Wax
You are almost done! Let’s give your car a good wash and wax to protect the repaired paint and further camouflage the imperfection. Wait a few days to allow the paint repair to dry completely before washing and waxing. Again, use a gentle car wash solution with a lint-free, scratch-free microfiber car wash mitten to give your car a thorough wash. Follow up with a good wax product to help prevent and protect your BMW’s paint job and give it a clean and fresh look.
Also, see our complete guide on the Best Way to Clean BMW Wheels.
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