A couple knicks in the hood down to aluminum

At least in our area Toyota offer's touch up pens, with metallic color at one end, clear coat at the other. The applicator is like a felt tip pen, a compact chisel shape, fairly stiff.

I found it very easy to apply, capable of putting on a very small amount. It's quite thin, spreads/blends well. I would give it a go. Try several applications to build up, if there's a bit of a crater, then finish with the clear coat. Wait say an hour between applications, or even just do one a day, if you have the time and patience.

I've used one several times now, recapped immediately, made no attempt to clean the tip after use. It hasn't dried on the tip at all, is always ready for use.

BTW, the hood's steel, nice thought though.

Also, and I know it's preachy: do you tailgate? That really escalates the incidence of hood chips.

 

Steel? You sure? I've had a knick in mine since last year down to the metal and it hasn't gone rusty - yet.

Better go get it sorted if it is steel.

 

Get a bottle of touch up paint at the dealer (color coat only, forget about clear coat). Using a toothpick, apply a very small dab to each area and let dry 10 - 15 minutes. The paint will shrink. If necessary, repeat to get the paint surface even.

 

You are correct the hood is aluminum. Try a magnet on it, it won't stick. The hatch is also aluminum.

 

Really, I didn't know that.

 

Touch up paints work. Other posters/threads complain about the soft paint that Toyota uses. Some posters use bras, some use protective paint sealants, some use clear plastic paint coverings, and some use lots of wax. I suppose it's all relevent to how much money and/or time you want to throw at your Prius. I considered a bra, but ultimately decided against the look. I'm choosing the extra wax option right now. I try not to tailgate, slow down extra for construction sites and try not to get on the gravel roads if possible. But even with all that, the night-time bugs seem to be feasting on my front bumper and hood. I guess that's why I've got into the habit of wiping down my car each day.

Of course if you had Barcelona Red, it may not show the nicks as much.

 

Getting it repainted is not that expensive. I figure it is less expensive to repaint the front end than the cost of clear bra.

Would you consider getting a leather bra?

 

I got a bunch of them. It wont rust so i dont care.

 

I have had mixed results filling in scratches. Some are undetectable, others undetectable at certain angles, and some rather detectable. If you need to touch up the spoiler Black 202 is perfect. Maybe I'm just not very good at it.