Stone Chip Protection

Stone-Chip Protection for Automotive Body Panels

Stone-chip protection is a flexible or textured automotive coating designed primarily for body surfaces exposed to road debris and mechanical impact.

Typical applications include sills, wheel arches, lower door sections, valances and other suitable lower body panels.

Different stone-chip coatings can vary in chemistry, texture, flexibility, overpaintability and approved substrates, so always select the system according to the repair requirement.

Where Is Stone-Chip Coating Used?

• sills,
• wheel arches,
• lower door sections,
• front and rear valances,
• other suitable lower body panels,
• local repairs to existing sound stone-chip coatings.

Always confirm substrate compatibility in the individual technical data sheet.

Stone-Chip Protection vs Underbody Coating

These product groups can overlap, but they are not identical.

Stone-chip protection primarily provides a flexible, often textured barrier against road debris, while underbody protection is a broader category covering several coating technologies for corrosion and environmental protection of the vehicle underside.

Overpaintable Stone-Chip Coating

Many stone-chip coatings are designed to be overpainted with compatible automotive refinishing systems once correctly dried.

Overpaintability is product-specific. Always observe the specified recoat time and compatible topcoat system.

Black, Grey & White Stone-Chip Coatings

The current range includes black, grey and white products. Colour can help when matching the coating to the final refinishing system, but technical suitability should always be the primary selection criterion.

Textured Finish

The final texture can be influenced by the product and application technique, including spray-gun setup, air pressure, spray distance and applied film thickness.

A test spray is recommended when trying to reproduce an existing factory-style texture.

Applying Stone-Chip Coating with an Undercoating Gun

Many 1 kg or 1 litre stone-chip coatings are designed for application with a suitable UBS or undercoating gun.

Air pressure and application settings vary by product, so always follow the manufacturer's technical instructions.

Which Surfaces Can Be Coated?

Approved substrates vary between products and can include correctly prepared primed metal, stable existing coatings and other manufacturer-approved surfaces.

Do not assume that every stone-chip coating can be applied directly to bare metal, plastic or PVC.

Can Stone-Chip Coating Be Applied over Rust?

Loose or active corrosion should not simply be covered. Remove unstable rust and coatings first, then prepare and prime the substrate where required by the selected refinishing system.

Surface Preparation

1. Clean the substrate thoroughly.
2. Degrease using a suitable cleaner.
3. Remove loose corrosion and unstable coatings.
4. Sand or scuff as specified.
5. Prime bare metal where required.
6. Remove dust before application.

How to Apply Stone-Chip Protection

1. Prepare the repair area completely.
2. Mask surrounding surfaces.
3. Mix or shake the product according to its instructions.
4. Set up the correct application equipment.
5. Carry out a test spray.
6. Apply the specified film thickness.
7. Observe drying and recoat times.

Sound-Damping Properties

Some flexible stone-chip coatings can also provide sound- or vibration-damping properties due to their film thickness and elasticity.

This is product-specific and does not replace materials specifically designed for acoustic insulation.

Safe Use

Always follow the product label, technical data sheet and safety data sheet. Provide appropriate ventilation and use the specified respiratory, eye and skin protection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stone-Chip Protection