Hey guys,

This is my first time on this forum.

I drive a 1996 mitsubishi lancer, which generally is in good condition. I have replaced most of the interior and made it look nice, but one thing still bugs me about it. There are millions of tiny stone chips on the bonnet and the side of the car. Also, there are many scratches present on various parts of the car. I think the previous owner tried to use sandpaper on it or something. Anyway, after giving the car a wax, these damn stone chips and scratches really stand out. It still looks okay I guess, but bugs the hell out of me.

Is there anything I can do (apart from respraying it) to restore the paint and make it look immaculate again?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Get some touch-up from the dealer (that way the color matches properly). Fill the stone chips with paint (two or three coats). After it's completely dry, wet sand with a very fine grit sandpaper, probably 600-1,000 grit. After that use some rubbing compound and remove the sanding marks.

That's really your only option without considering a respray.

Thanks for the reply,

but will the touch up paint leave noticable spots after drying?

It may or may not leave spots.

It depends. It depends on the color of the car. Some color fade more over time than other. Red usually fades more.