Touch Up Paint Issues

[gatorray]

Howdy all,

I received a little complimentary bottle of touch up paint from my dealer for my AV. I just recently used it to cover up some rock chips. I notice now that I can see where I applied the touch up paint. The color matches, but the spot where I applied the paint looks different from the rest. I expected a little bit of a mismatch, but not this much.

What is the best way to fix paint chips? I found some paint chip kits on the internet that include sandpaper and clear coat, but I don't think I have the skills to do this job. Is there any way that I can apply a polishing compound to smooth out the areas where the touch up paint was applied?

Thanks for the help.

 

[AVA_Grandpa]

Gatorray, I don't have an answer for you, in fact I have similar concern with matching areas where touch-up paint is applied. Haven't (yet) needed to touch-up the AV, but any time I use matched paint on the other cars in my driveway, I am never satisfied with the result.

My 1st thought is to use a rubbing compound, but that would scuff the clearcoat in the area of the repair.

Looking forward to seeing suggestions for matching up the touch-ups.

 

[gatorray]

Cool....now I am not alone in my frustration. Thank you, Grandpa.

 

[03Lanche]

I have the same questions, a stone made a nice divit on my driver door near the window (weird location) and I have NOT "fixed" it because whenever I used touchup on other cars it looks crappy. (As Granpa stated). Also with a Metallic paint (Dark Grey) I am nervous with the touchups not looking right..

So I am too looking for suggestions, OTHER then take it to a pro and pay mucho $$$.

 

[Ironic_Masster]

Howdy all,

I received a little complimentary bottle of touch up paint from my dealer for my AV. I just recently used it to cover up some rock chips. I notice now that I can see where I applied the touch up paint. The color matches, but the spot where I applied the paint looks different from the rest. I expected a little bit of a mismatch, but not this much.

What is the best way to fix paint chips? I found some paint chip kits on the internet that include sandpaper and clear coat, but I don't think I have the skills to do this job. Is there any way that I can apply a polishing compound to smooth out the areas where the touch up paint was applied?

Thanks for the help.

Bump

 

[GPM1972]

A few suggestions:

1) Might want to re-check that they gave you the right touch-up paint for your AV as the touch-up paint is model/year specific. If you bring your VIN# in, the parts guys can easily look up the correct # for the touch-up paint.

2) I've noticed most touch-up paint seems to seperate over time (especially the metallics). There is a little mixing ball inside the container and you need to really shake the container to get the mixing ball working. After you hear it working, continue shaking the container for another 60 seconds.

3) I do not use the brush supplied with the touch-up paint as typically the chips are smaller than the brush head and it's difficult-to-impossible to fill in just the chip w/o getting the touch-up paint on undamaged paint. Instead of the brush, I use the pointed end of a toothpick. On really deep chips, it's better to apply several coats as you will find the paint tends to shink down as it dries.

 

[AVALANCHE JIM]

IMO touch up paint is used to stop rust from forming. To match your paint and take fade and weathering into consideration only a pro paint shop has the equipment for that. The proper way is to tape off the chip into a small box shape and clean the area with Isopropyl. Apply small amounts of paint and let cure over night. You want the spot higher than the rest of your paint. Use a pencil eraser with 1500-2000 grid sandpaper and wet sand the area to level out the high spot. Your paint will look dull at this point and is normal. Once that spot is level with the rest of your paint pull off the tape and proceed to polish the area by hand to remove the hazing. It woun't look as good as having a shop air brush but it does come out well enough that unless you know its there you cant tell. A detailer can do this work for you and if anyone needs a good auto detailer in there area pm me and i could probably reccomend someone in your area.

 

[AVA_Grandpa]

Instead of the brush, I use the pointed end of a toothpick. On really deep chips, it's better to apply several coats as you will find the paint tends to shink down as it dries.

I'll try this one. Sounds promising to me Thanks.

Now which car to experiment on

May try Avalanche Jim's method as well

 

[AV42Medics]

I just take my vehicles to a local (trusted) paint shop every two years or so and have them fixed. Usually only costs me a couple hundred bucks. That aint too bad for two years of paint chips.

 

[ygmn]

here is place with info.....

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

IT should have some info