Topic: Applying touch up paint

[markan]

I’ve got a very tiny paint chip right on the edge of my driver door. I could see right to the sheet metal. I bought a touch up pen from the dealer and applied it, but I’m wondering if I should have used some primer first, followed by paint and clear coat. And it's still seems a bit tacky after several weeks or maybe it's just my imagination.

[vdk]

You (or someone) probably has to sand it a bit.

[markan]

so to remove the paint I have on there now, can i use a dremel buffer applied very lightly?

[vdk]

No no don't do anything. You don't have to remove the paint.

You used paint and clearcoat, in that order correct? You probably have to sand it a bit and then buff it. I wouldn't attempt that myself. Take it to a shop when you have time - it's not big $.

[markan]

Not a very good picture but here's the nick. Right on the edge of the door. I'd like to learn how to fix this myself cause it probably won't be my last paint chip.

There's no longer any exposed metal, but the paint is thin. So I should get some very fine sand paper, sand it down a little, then reapply more paint followed by clear coat?

[tpl]

On a new car like yours I would NOT use any abrasive.  I'd wipe the area with a clean paper towel with a dampening of methyl hydrate to remove any grease or wax and then use the official Toyota touch up paint. Leaving that to cure for 24 hours before applying the clearcoat.

In my experience Methyl Hydrate does not affect modern car paints and is also the quickest and best solvent for tar, diesel fumes and tree sap... when used in the smallest possible amount.

[markan]

I have a cloth jewelers polishing cloth. It's a cloth with jeweler's rouge on one side of it. Could I use that to buff it before applying the paint?

[tpl]

Why do you want to buff it ?  The paint will fill any surface irregularities and form a smooth surface on top.

[vdk]

Why do you want to buff it ?  The paint will fill any surface irregularities and form a smooth surface on top.

The paint yes, but the clearcoat not so much. At least not in my somewhat limited experience.

[markan]

This is what I'm trying to learn. The first time I applied the paint to the metal surface, it didn't seem to want to stick. Like I was saying, it's still thin. Does a rougher surface hold the paint better?

[vdk]

This is what I'm trying to learn. The first time I applied the paint to the metal surface, it didn't seem to want to stick. Like I was saying, it's still thin. Does a rougher surface hold the paint better?

You can apply more than one layer of paint.

[dr_spock]

Did you clean the surface first before applying the paint?   For small chips I found layering small bit of paint works better than using that big tip on the end of those paint pens.  Apply one thin layer, let dry, then apply another layer on top until the chip is filled in and level.  

I use a old AOL free sample CD and pointy toothpick.  



I got tired of touchup painting my doors' edges and applied clear 3M plastic protective film to the edge to protect it from chips.

[markan]

Did you clean the surface first before applying the paint?   For small chips I found layering small bit of paint works better than using that big tip on the end of those paint pens.  Apply one thin layer, let dry, then apply another layer on top until the chip is filled in and level.  

I use a old AOL free sample CD and pointy toothpick.  



I got tired of touchup painting my doors' edges and applied clear 3M plastic protective film to the edge to protect it from chips.

I'll try this.

[curls]

I got tired of touchup painting my doors' edges and applied clear 3M plastic protective film to the edge to protect it from chips.

After my wife opened my car door into a car corral last week, I NEED to find this item.  Where did you find it and do you happen to have the part/item number or name?

Thanks!!

[mmret]

http://shop.ppffilm.com/category.sc?categoryId=2  I guess?