applying touchup paint / wetsanding

[scott0999]

when applying touchup paint, do you guys normally use that brush that comes with the little duplicolor bottle?

it seems like I'm always applying too much touchup paint, even when trying to make it thin

when wetsanding its difficult when the touchup paint is too thick. the surrounding (good paint) is being sanded more than it needs to be. and all I'm trying to do is sand down the touchup'd area.

I use a folded down piece of sandpaper to only sand the smallest area possible.. but still its tricky

[habeba86]

Re: applying touchup paint / wetsanding

I use the brush that comes in the bigger bottles that unscrews. I hate the pen type, even with the brush. I generally try to put the touch up paint on like people do pin stripping, with my pinky or ring finger on the car as a guide to steady my hand.

[Mary S]

Re: applying touchup paint / wetsanding

I have seen it recommended to use the torn end of a paper matchstick to paint more precisely. I know also Griot's Garage sells specialty kits for touching up paint that put the paint down precisely. There exist products that are formulated for leveling the paint when you fill a paint chip too high.

A good resource for information on scratch repair is http://www.paintscratch.com.

[Murr1525]

Re: applying touchup paint / wetsanding

If you work with a toothpick in thin layers, you can really get away without sanding for many jobs.

[searle]

DONT sand (applying touchup paint / wetsanding)

Best is Murr1525's toothpick approach to avoid the problem. But, if you have applied too much (unfortunately this is easy to do), then instead of sanding try the touchup paint blob smoother from companies like Langka. It works because touchup paint is chemically slightly different from OEM baked paint. It includes a smooth plastic card which you wrap in a cotton cloth and apply a dab of Langka and then lightly rub. It removes the above surface touchup paint but leaves the touchup paint in the mark (unless you rub too hard/long, and then you need to reapply touchup paint again).

I have used it for years, and my daugher loves it for her new car touchups.

Mothers used to also sell it (now discontinued?), and other companies might.

[tguil]

Re: applying touchup paint / wetsanding

The "ultimate" guide: http://guidetodetailing.com/damage-r...repair-clinic/

Tom

[Garage Troll]

Re: applying touchup paint / wetsanding

As an addition to the toothpick method, a very fine paintbrush from an art store works very and you can steer away from sanding.

[scott0999]

Re: applying touchup paint / wetsanding

excellent links! this helps a ton, thanks everyone