Did I mess up my touch-up paint job?

[mikey123555]

So yesterday, I did some paint chip touch-ups using Fords Motorcraft touch-up paint. What I did was I sanded the chip with the back of a pencil's eraser + 2000 grit, then layered on 3 coats of the base, and finished it with a layer of the included clear coat (to overflow the chip a bit).

However, I'm now second guessing my work as I almost feel I put too much base coat into the chip. I plan on wet sanding the area with 3000 grit once the paint has hardened (then compound + polish + wax). I'm worried that there is a possibility of the applied clear being removed completely when leveling, and the chip only being covered with the basecoat.

1. How would I be able to check if there is any clear left on the paint chip after wet sanding?

2. In the case of the chip not having clear coat left over, would it be an issue or is it fine to have just the base coat in the chip?

3. If not, how could I go about safely repairing this mistake?

Also aside, is there a recommended time to wait before wet sanding and/or waxing? I've heard a wide range of times, from hours to weeks, so I'd like some of your opinions!

[Nick Winn]

Re: Did I mess up my touch-up paint job?

So yesterday, I did some paint chip touch-ups using Fords Motorcraft touch-up paint. What I did was I sanded the chip with the back of a pencil's eraser + 2000 grit, then layered on 3 coats of the base, and finished it with a layer of the included clear coat (to overflow the chip a bit).

However, I'm now second guessing my work as I almost feel I put too much base coat into the chip. I plan on wet sanding the area with 3000 grit once the paint has hardened (then compound + polish + wax). I'm worried that there is a possibility of the applied clear being removed completely when leveling, and the chip only being covered with the basecoat.

1. How would I be able to check if there is any clear left on the paint chip after wet sanding?

2. In the case of the chip not having clear coat left over, would it be an issue or is it fine to have just the base coat in the chip?

3. If not, how could I go about safely repairing this mistake?

Also aside, is there a recommended time to wait before wet sanding and/or waxing? I've heard a wide range of times, from hours to weeks, so I'd like some of your opinions!

1. The only way I could think of is if the base & the clear gave different visual appearances.

2. Applying touch up paint is not a perfect science. I believe the only issue would be the appearance. I think the reason for the clear coat is to provide a different appearance, and not so much regarding protection.

3. Solvent should loosen up the paint if it has not been 2 long.

Overall, don't be too critical on yourself, and maybe just move on to the sanding & buffing step.