I was wondering if anyone has some tips for performing minor paint repairs? I'm talking about small paint chips that have been touched up, but are still fairly visible. Does anyone have any tricks or methods they've found successful? Thanks!
I can't tell you exactly how to do it, but there's some old school trick involving a matchstick. I had taken a book out at the library and it talked about this matchstick trick like it was widely known, so maybe Google it?
look at( automotive touch up.com ) they have the paint color charts for 1960's pontiac's. they have paint pins , paint touch up spray cans, bottle brush touch up, primer in bottle ,or pin, clear coat in bottle, or pin. they have hints on how to use the touch up products also.
Many dealers have guys come in and do chip repairs with an airbrush. They do anything from stone chips to minor scratches. when done they are not detectable. I am guessing you have bc cc. Check out glasurit blender. I was told it will work with any clear. You make you repair,shoot base coat within the area scuffed, clear slightly beyond the area scuffed, then immediately melt it in with the glaturit. Yhe next day sand and buff. Avail in pint and aresol. I am going to try it on my wifes camaro, but I am sure it will work. My local paint shop is very good.
For small chips I used to grow my index finger a little longer than usual and dip the nail in the paint. The amount would be so small it would look like a droplet. Then carefully touch the chipped out paint area and the paint will be sucked off your nail filling the chip. When you get good at it the paint should not go past the chipped area. Worse case the paint drys a ball but you can buff that out.
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When you say they are still visible do you mean the paint color is different or is the repair lumpy. On older finishes this is how I fix them. Get a pint of you color paint in lacquer. Then go to an art supply store and buy a really small pointy brush. Dab paint into the chip a little at a time not going outside the chip. This may take 3 or 4 applications over a couple days to get the chip filled up. The next step is the hardest part. You need to get some 1000 grit sand paper and find something to back it with. I use one of those pressed sheet metal wrenches from a skill saw. Its only about an inch wide and has a 30 degree or so bend with a curved end. You want to sand only the newly applied paint (after a day or so to dry). Reapply touch up paint and resand until the chip is at the same level as the paint around it. Then buff the chip and surrounding area.
metal flake is the worst to fix. clean the wax first. then you have to get the paint reduce it and use a fine paint brush.( with a magifier) add color slowly and lightly till it blends. the add the (mixed correctly) clear in progessive steps filling the spot till the area is slightly higher than the rest. sand it with 1500 the 2000. polish after.
I do similar to Larry, dab it in with a very small art brush or toothpic, several builds till it fills up. then use varying grits to sand it down and then final buff with polishing compounds. I just did another 1/8" chip right on my rear fender crease...(my fault I dropped a freaking tool on it right after telling myself I should put a towel over the area!)
At any rate the fix is perfect....albeit easier on solar red as its a solid color.
