⭐ Akatori Works Rating: 10/10
💸 Save on your order with our exclusive 10% discount code: AKATORI
Stone chips are part of life when you drive your car. For me, Akatori is a daily driver, weekend toy and cherished classic. While each chip and scuff adds to her story and character, at shows and in images, they are annoying and, just because she has a story to tell, doesn't mean she isn't deserving of a little make up every now and again.
A full respray isn't realistic every time you spot a chip, and traditional touch-up pens often leave repairs that are almost as noticeable as the damage itself.
That's why we were excited when Chipex got in touch to collaborate with Akatori Works. They offered to send us one of their paint repair kits to test on our 1986 Toyota MR2 AW11, Akatori.
After putting it through its paces, we can confidently say this is one of the best detailing products we've used.
Our Verdict
If you don't want to read the full review, here's the short version.
The colour match was exceptional.
The application process was simple.
The results genuinely exceeded our expectations.
For anyone looking to repair stone chips or small scratches at home without paying for a bodyshop repair, Chipex gets a 10/10 recommendation from us.
And if you'd like to try it yourself, don't forget to use our 10% discount code:
Use code: AKATORI
A Smarter Way to Match Your Paint
One of the biggest concerns with any touch-up paint is the colour match.
If you've ever bought a generic touch-up pen, you'll know how easy it is to end up with a repair that's darker, lighter or just completely wrong.
Chipex takes a different approach.
Instead of asking you to work out your paint code, their system allows you to search by registration number, automatically identifying your vehicle's factory paint colour from an extensive manufacturer database. You can also search by make, model or paint code if you prefer.
That sounds great on paper.
But we had one big question.
Would it really work on a 40-year-old classic car?
Akatori's red paint has inevitably mellowed over the years, so we expected there to be at least a slight difference.
There wasn't.
The match was remarkably close.
Honestly, it was far better than we expected.
What's Included?
Our kit arrived with everything needed to complete the repair.
Inside the box was:
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Vehicle-specific colour-matched paint
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Precision application brushes
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Blending solution
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Chipex polish
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Buffing block
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Microfibre cloth
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Paint removal cloth
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Protective nitrile gloves
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Clear step-by-step instructions
Everything is laid out logically, and there's no need to buy any additional tools before getting started. Chipex offers Lite, Plus and Pro kits depending on how many repairs you need to tackle, with each kit including the same straightforward repair process.
Putting Chipex to the Test
We decided to use the kit on several stone chips that had accumulated over years of driving.
The instructions were refreshingly straightforward.
First, we applied the supplied paint directly into each chip using the fine brush included in the kit.
Rather than worrying about making everything look perfect immediately, the aim is simply to fill the damaged area.
Once the paint had settled, we applied the supplied blending solution to the cloth before gently working over the repair using the buffing block.
This is where the magic happens.
The excess paint is removed while leaving the chip filled, allowing the repair to blend naturally into the surrounding paintwork.
After a quick wipe down...
The chips had practically disappeared.
Not hidden.
Not disguised.
Simply no longer catching your eye every time you walked past the car.
The Colour Match Was the Biggest Surprise
This was the part we expected to let the kit down.
Matching fresh paint to a modern car is one thing. Matching it to a classic Toyota finished in red nearly four decades ago is something else entirely.
Yet somehow Chipex nailed it.
The repaired areas blended incredibly well with the existing paintwork, even accounting for the slight ageing you'd expect on a car of this age.
If we hadn't carried out the repairs ourselves, we'd struggle to point them out afterwards.
Easy Enough for Anyone
One of the things we appreciated most was how approachable the whole process felt.
You don't need professional detailing experience.
You don't need specialist tools.
You simply follow the instructions, take your time and let the system do its job.
Everything from the supplied gloves to the clear instructions makes the whole process feel well thought out.
It's obvious that Chipex are true experts. The company has specialised in colour-matched automotive touch-up systems since 2009, with kits designed to deliver professional-looking repairs at home.
Is Chipex Worth It?
Without question.
As enthusiasts, we're naturally sceptical of products that promise professional results with minimal effort.
Chipex genuinely delivers.
The colour match was outstanding.
The application process was simple.
The instructions were clear.
Most importantly, the results speak for themselves.
If you've been living with annoying stone chips because you've assumed they'll always be visible, we'd seriously recommend giving Chipex a try.
⭐ Akatori Works Rating: 10/10
Pros
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Outstanding factory colour match
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Incredibly easy to use
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Everything included in the kit
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Clear instructions
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Professional-looking results
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Ideal for classics and modern cars alike
There aren't many products we'd happily recommend without hesitation.
This is one of them.
Save with Akatori Works
If you'd like to repair stone chips on your own car, we've teamed up with Chipex to offer our community an exclusive discount.
Use our 10% discount code: AKATORI
It's a simple way to save on one of the most effective paint repair kits we've tested, and a product we'll continue using to keep Akatori looking her best for years to come.