teach me touch up paint application

[Envious Eric]

anyone in the OC area care to teach me a little paint touch up repair work...I want/need to learn because I am getting more and more calls about it, and I have to inform the people I dont do it and that sucks..



its one thing to not do PDR, but I feel I should know a little about paint touch up....



anyone? Ill come to you obviously

[salty]

Are you talking about the Paint Bull type of repair (micro repair) or just filling a scratch with paint and sanding out?

[AppliedColors]

There`s a lot of complicated ways of applying touchup paint (squeegee, syring, airbrush), but for simplicity, speed, and effectiveness, nothing compares to a fine-tipped artist brush:





Process:



1. Clean repair area with wax/grease remover.

2. Place 10 drops of touchup paint (purchased from auto parts store or dealership) in a paper cup.

3. Add 20% paint thinner. Stir.

4. Apply a minimal amount of paint to all chips/scratches with your artist brush.

5. Collect $25 - $40.



This will NEVER match the quality of repainting the entire panel or bumper. And the customer should not expect that quality for the $25 - $40 you charge them.



But, it will look better than the customer`s attempt to touchup their scratches and chips with the Duplicolor or OEM nailpolish applicator.



Most detailers avoid touchup because they can`t get it perfect. No touchup is perfect...it`s always perceptible in close view. But with an approximate color match and a fine tipped brush, every chip or scratch can be improved for a price the customer is willing to pay.

[JollyGreenGiant]

I have a good write up bookmarked that a friend of mine authored.



Hope it can help.



Touch-Up Painting in 10 steps