Touch-Up Paint

[G6 GTP]

What is the best procedure for using touch-up paint on a chip. More specifically how to prep the chip and then what to do once the paint is dry.

[Mike Phillips]

We don't have any articles at this time on doing rock chip repair and I'm not going to be able to write one at this moment as I'm getting ready to leave for Baltimore.

In a nutshell,

Clean the area as best as you can using something like Isopropyl Alcohol and then dab in only a small amount of touch-up paint and allow it to dry. As it dries it will tend to pull-in or shrink a little, then if needed, a day or two latter, add some more.

Don't add to much the first time or you'll turn a divet into a blob and then you'll be posting a question like,

"How do I wet-sand touch-up paint and remove my sanding marks?"

Also, don't use the paint brush that comes built-in to the lid, go to an arts supply store and purchase a fine tipped brush or use something like a toothpick. Most built-in brush heads are too large and this is where the blob problem starts.

[Paramedic]

I got a few that I would like to touch up as well. Should the touch up paint be purchased from the dealer for exact match? I have searched the net for touch-up paint and found many places where you can give them the paint code and they mix and sent it to you in a pen, or a small bottle. Also, is it recommended to use clear coat also??

Thanks!

[Five Star]

I've found alot of touch up paints dry darker

I got alot of flack for saying this before but have it mixed at a bodyshop.

Reduce the amount of black ( or the darkest color by 50%)
replace any clear binder with basecoat drier.

then put a very little dab on the car in the repair area and let it dry for a minute. remove it with a little thinner

then you can add a little more black if needed.

when u have a match you can do what mike said.

clean with iso or prepsol, layer the paint in the with a toothpick. small amounts. (4 or 5 times total)

if you want to use a clearcoat, leave the paint in the chip lower than the surrounding paint and finish off adding the clear, the same way as u did the paint.

[tguil]

Here a great site on touching up nicks and scratches:

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/articles.php?articleId=27

Tom

[RamAirV1]

I have some GM touch up paint and want to repair a stone chip. The problem I have is that the paint is drying to fast when I put some in a bottle cap to dab the toothpick in. Do I need to use lacquer thinner or something? Or do I wait until cooler weather (90 degrees here today)? If I use thinner how much do I need to add, what ratio?

RamAirV1

[kokketiel]

I've had fair to excellent results on getting rid of the blob using a product called Langka (hope I'm not violating a forum rule).

With that system, I'd add paint until I have a blob and then use the Langka to remove the blob. I had much better results on our Sunburst Yellow SLK (non-metallic), than on our dark blue metallic SUV - the age old problem on how to ensure you get the right amount of metallic flakes in the touch up paint. In all cases, I've had the best results with OEM touch up paint.

Langka is a non-abrasive chemical that removes only the paint blob and not any surrounding paint. It really does operate as advertised. Google for it and check it out.

[06MonteSS]

yes, same question I have... can I thin the OEM touch-up paint - and how much?

I am looking to put it in an atomizer in order to spray it on, so as not to get the blobs..

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by kokketiel
I've had fair to excellent results on getting rid of the blob using a product called Langka (hope I'm not violating a forum rule).

With that system, I'd add paint until I have a blob and then use the Langka to remove the blob. I had much better results on our Sunburst Yellow SLK (non-metallic), than on our dark blue metallic SUV - the age old problem on how to ensure you get the right amount of metallic flakes in the touch up paint. In all cases, I've had the best results with OEM touch up paint.

Langka is a non-abrasive chemical that removes only the paint blob and not any surrounding paint. It really does operate as advertised. Google for it and check it out.

Thanks for the information. I found it in a catalog for $39.99. Is that a reasonable price? My skills in touching up stone chips needs help, this may be just the ticket.

Quite frankly I'm sick and tired of dump trucks dumping rocks and stones all over the road. We need a covered load law in Indiana. Plus the US automakers need to make their paint more chip resistant. You never see all those stone chips on a Benz or Bimmer! I take the softer clear in exchange for chip resistance. Paint is going to get swirled on a daily driver and repair seems easier on a Benz, at least the last time I tried.

I will however put up with all the stone chips in exchange for 400HP!

GTO_04

[kokketiel]

Originally posted by RamAirV1
Thanks for the information. I found it in a catalog for $39.99. Is that a reasonable price? My skills in touching up stone chips needs help, this may be just the ticket.

Price seems more or less what I recall. The product is fairly fool-proof, but I did find that some practice helped me. Also, if you mess up, it's quite easy to remove all the touch-up paint and start over. A big plus if you ask me!

Quite frankly I'm sick and tired of dump trucks dumping rocks and stones all over the road. We need a covered load law in Indiana. Plus the US automakers need to make their paint more chip resistant. You never see all those stone chips on a Benz or Bimmer!

GTO_04

It's funny you should say that. We own two MB's, and all you hear about on the MB forums are folks complaining about how badly the paint gets chips, and how the American cars are much better, LOL. All our MB's have had a fair amount of stone chips - not much you can do about it. The best is to keep a decent following distance on the freeway, and avoid dump trucks like the plague, if you can. I always try to stay waaay back of dump trucks and overtake them with as much space as I can put between us.

Something that doesn't often come to the fore on the detail forums is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure .

[SiriusRIMZ]

If you guys find the paint is too thick or drys too fast you could try maybe some reducer or slow thinner. I normally mix paints 1:1, and clears 4:1:1, dont use touch up paint much, but I can only assume its not been reduced.

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by kokketiel
Price seems more or less what I recall. The product is fairly fool-proof, but I did find that some practice helped me. Also, if you mess up, it's quite easy to remove all the touch-up paint and start over. A big plus if you ask me!

That is huge! It's nice to be able to start over. I think it's worth a try. I already have the paint.

Originally posted by kokketiel
It's funny you should say that. We own two MB's, and all you hear about on the MB forums are folks complaining about how badly the paint gets chips, and how the American cars are much better, LOL. All our MB's have had a fair amount of stone chips - not much you can do about it. The best is to keep a decent following distance on the freeway, and avoid dump trucks like the plague, if you can. I always try to stay waaay back of dump trucks and overtake them with as much space as I can put between us.

Something that doesn't often come to the fore on the detail forums is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure .

Staying way behind them doesn't always help that much. They'll drop rocks on the road then other cars can toss them up onto your paint or windshield. I do agree you should try to avoid them though. I try to avoid the roads they use most often. On the interstate I will pass them if at all possible, or at least put a few cars between the dump truck and my car.

I will go out of my way, even if it means a longer trip, to avoid road construction!

RamAirV1

[Five Star]

I believe when i bought my express van, they gave me a factory touchup bottle and it was lacquer based.

Technically you could use a few drops of lacquer thinner in it.

However I would apply it in the shade. rather than reduce the paint.

If you do reduce it, pour a little paint in a medicine cup. then add a couple of drops to reduce it.

reducing the paint will actually help with blending the metallic a little better if you have a metallic paint.

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by Five Star
I believe when i bought my express van, they gave me a factory touchup bottle and it was lacquer based.

Technically you could use a few drops of lacquer thinner in it.

However I would apply it in the shade. rather than reduce the paint.

If you do reduce it, pour a little paint in a medicine cup. then add a couple of drops to reduce it.

reducing the paint will actually help with blending the metallic a little better if you have a metallic paint.

Thanks for the info! Excellent point about metallics. I miss the non-metallic black on my WS6TA. Oddly enough I never had to touch up the TA! Just a few visits to Dent Doctor to remove parking lot dings!

RamAirV1