Applying touch-up paint- tips, tricks and techniques?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
Applying touch-up paint- tips, tricks and techniques?
I've got a few small areas that I'm considering using touch-up paint on before getting the paint wet-sanded to see if I can avoid getting the car painted for a few more years.
Anyone have any tips, tricks, or techniques that help with touch-up paint application and making it look as good as possible?
Adam
Anyone have any tips, tricks, or techniques that help with touch-up paint application and making it look as good as possible?
Adam
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 311
Likes: 37
From: Sparta NC
I expected some guys who know more about this stuff than me to chime in first. Get several fine sharp tipped artist brushes. Dip just the tip in the touchy. Do not "brush" the chip. Touch the brush tip into the chip and let the paint flow into the chip. You may have to let it dry between several applications, but keep doing until you build the chip back up to the surface level of the rest of the paint. Tedious work but will be hardly noticeable when finished. Dont get in a hurry. If you need a link for touch up paint pm me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 212
From: Kissimmee Florida
I've got a few small areas that I'm considering using touch-up paint on before getting the paint wet-sanded to see if I can avoid getting the car painted for a few more years.
Anyone have any tips, tricks, or techniques that help with touch-up paint application and making it look as good as possible?
Adam
Anyone have any tips, tricks, or techniques that help with touch-up paint application and making it look as good as possible?
Adam
Hope all that helps !
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
So far both guys that replied got it spot on. The mistake that most people make when doing touchup is to put a big gob ahead of the chip and just drag it across the chip . You would be better off just living with the chip if you do that. They are both exactly right when they say build it up but do not go outside of the chip . After the paint cures you can wet sand over the repaired area with the proper fine wet paper and polish it out to make an invisible repair if you do it right. You need a good eye and a steady hand so no drinking your favorite brew before hand . 
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Agree with all of the above.. 
I have a fine tipped touch up brush that I use..
But another tip that I saw an old bubba paint shop use years ago... and I about fell over when I saw this.. They took an old cigarette butt, removed the paper, cut it at about a 30 degree angle from end to end... and used this for their brush...
I didn't think it would work worth beans but..... Bubba prevailed... it worked great and when they were done they tossed the butt....
I know.. sounds crazy... it worked and they didn't clean anything they just tossed the butt and I suppose if they needed another one there were plenty laying around to be found..
Try it if you want.. for me I'll stick with my fine touch up brush.. I just thought I'd offer what I saw first hand.
Willcox
I have a fine tipped touch up brush that I use.. But another tip that I saw an old bubba paint shop use years ago... and I about fell over when I saw this.. They took an old cigarette butt, removed the paper, cut it at about a 30 degree angle from end to end... and used this for their brush...
I didn't think it would work worth beans but..... Bubba prevailed... it worked great and when they were done they tossed the butt....
I know.. sounds crazy... it worked and they didn't clean anything they just tossed the butt and I suppose if they needed another one there were plenty laying around to be found..
Try it if you want.. for me I'll stick with my fine touch up brush.. I just thought I'd offer what I saw first hand.
Willcox
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
Back in the 70's, a guy who'd been a body man for 30-40 years, showed me a neat little trick for touching up chips.
He used matches from a paper matchbook. He'd pull a match from the matchbook, and use the fuzzy, torn out end of the match, as a brush. You just touch the match into your paint, and then touch or dab the spot that's chipped. It works great. I've been touching up chips this way for years. I think it's better than using a brush. You can't get too much paint on the match, and it's easier to control where the paint goes.
He used matches from a paper matchbook. He'd pull a match from the matchbook, and use the fuzzy, torn out end of the match, as a brush. You just touch the match into your paint, and then touch or dab the spot that's chipped. It works great. I've been touching up chips this way for years. I think it's better than using a brush. You can't get too much paint on the match, and it's easier to control where the paint goes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Back in the 70's, a guy who'd been a body man for 30-40 years, showed me a neat little trick for touching up chips.
He used matches from a paper matchbook. He'd pull a match from the matchbook, and use the fuzzy, torn out end of the match, as a brush. You just touch the match into your paint, and then touch or dab the spot that's chipped. It works great. I've been touching up chips this way for years. I think it's better than using a brush. You can't get too much paint on the match, and it's easier to control where the paint goes.
He used matches from a paper matchbook. He'd pull a match from the matchbook, and use the fuzzy, torn out end of the match, as a brush. You just touch the match into your paint, and then touch or dab the spot that's chipped. It works great. I've been touching up chips this way for years. I think it's better than using a brush. You can't get too much paint on the match, and it's easier to control where the paint goes.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 493
Likes: 65
As a trained painter for many decades, these guys all have it right. Brush, cig butt, or a match to dab the paint on the chip area all pretty good. Just remember to let it dry between coats. That's the most important tip that I can think of, really.
You could wet sand the spots yourself to ensure they're good. And wet sanding the entire car isn't that hard, if you take your time. If I can help, let me know!!!
You could wet sand the spots yourself to ensure they're good. And wet sanding the entire car isn't that hard, if you take your time. If I can help, let me know!!!
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
Another trick I use is to fill the chip several coats to get it higher than surrounding area. Then take a utility razor blade, bend each end up a little making the blade a slight u shape. This is to prevent the ends from digging into the paint. Then at a flat of a angle as you can gently cut off the excess height/blob of paint that you filled in.
Works great for me just have to have a steady hand.
Many years of NY parking dings experience.
Works great for me just have to have a steady hand.
Many years of NY parking dings experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Look up Langka "blob eliminator". You use toothpicks, paper matchs, brushes, etc. to build up coats a bit thicker than the original finish then the blob eliminator (applied to some microfiber wrapped around a plastic card) will dissolve and level the touch-up paint without affecting the original paint. It really does work.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
Any decent hobby shop is going to have a gazillion color choices and an assortment of finely tipped brushes. Mix to match, cheap and not hard to do. The stuff dries fast. There are flattening agents and gloss agents available as well to make adjustments to the sheen. Agree with the other comments, don't paint outside the lines!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,402
Likes: 8,209
From: Napa Valley California
The prior owner of my 73 dropped the sales price because while he had it parked in a parking lot some creation keyed the passenger side from the front to the rear. I'm embarrassed to drive it too much even though the rest of the car is spotless. What can you suggest to repair something like this? Same type method?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
The prior owner of my 73 dropped the sales price because while he had it parked in a parking lot some creation keyed the passenger side from the front to the rear. I'm embarrassed to drive it too much even though the rest of the car is spotless. What can you suggest to repair something like this? Same type method?
Anyway, is the car clear coated? If he didn't get down to the color coat, you might have a chance at carefully filling in the clear and lightly color sanding.
This post might garner more attention in the Paint/Body Forum.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA