Paint touch up tips

[Chris S]

what about applying some clear?



Seems like an important step, isn't it?

[ShineShop]

Originally posted by Chris S
what about applying some clear?



Seems like an important step, isn't it?

Important in a refinish situation with a whole panel - yes. In fixing a stone chip, no - provided the paint is of high quality and has the appropriate thickeners/bonding agents which prevent the paint from coming out of the chip. Acrylic enamel/polyurethane paints are a single stage paint and require no clear to be applied after the initial application like a two-stage (base/clear) paint system.

[TristanCSI]

What exactly is "prepping" a chipped area?


What would you recommend for a paint that for some odd reason has worn off on the lip of an edge, for example the hood of the car, up by the windshield?

Thanks, looking forward to trying this out......

[AkronSi]

Thanks for the great how-to. I have some nasty chips to fix on my girlfriends car, and have been a little leary of sanding. Now if it would only warm up

[ShineShop]

Originally posted by TristanCSI
What exactly is "prepping" a chipped area?


What would you recommend for a paint that for some odd reason has worn off on the lip of an edge, for example the hood of the car, up by the windshield?

Thanks, looking forward to trying this out......

To prep a area for repair you must remove all oils/waxes/silicones etc... so the paitn can adhere properly. To touch up an edge, I usually take a wooden match stick and dipp it into my paint and "drag" it along the area to be touched up. It will evenly spread the paint along the area to be touched up if applied in thin, even coats. I find a match is better than a brush due to the fact that it is perfectly rigid and won't flex against the edge giving better control over the paint.

[CharlesW]

Interesting info about the wooden match. Paper matches for applying paint, I have heard of for years, but never the wooden ones until now.
A product that I find very helpful is the "Microbrush". It's kind of like a very small Q-tip on a bendable plastic handle. It is intended for getting paint, adhesives and solvent into areas that are not always easily accessible. Works good for me. They have several types and sizes, and are available at some, but not all, paint supply stores. www.microbrush.com

Charles