Stone chips are the most ignored damage on British cars — they're small, they're common, and they don't seem urgent. Here's why the smart money fixes them early.
The lifecycle of a chip
A chip that's gone through to bare metal starts corroding with the first damp morning. Rust creeps under the surrounding paint, lifting it from beneath — so a 2mm chip quietly becomes a 20mm blister. By the time you can see bubbling, the repair is no longer "touch in a chip" but "cut back corrosion, treat, refinish the panel".
Reading your chips
- Silver/grey centre: through to primer or metal — the ones to act on.
- Colour still visible in the chip: lacquer-only damage — lower risk, watch it.
- Orange staining or bubbling: corrosion is already established — book it in.
Repair options by severity
A handful of light chips can be professionally filled, levelled and polished in a day. A motorway-peppered bonnet is usually better refinished along its leading edge — it costs more than touch-ins but transforms the whole front of the car. Either way it's a fraction of a corrosion repair later. More about stone chip repair, or send photos for honest advice on whether yours need attention yet.