How to Apply Touch Up Paint

• Use an approved automotive paint respirator and WEAR safety goggles and gloves when handling automotive paint to protect your eyes and skin!! Please read the information below for best results.

Detailed Paint Pen Instructions
Detailed Brush Cap Bottle Instructions
Detailed Spray Can Instructions
Additional Tricoat (basecoat/midcoat/clearcoat) Instructions
Using your own Spray Equipment

You CAN do this
If you are wondering if you can really apply touch up paint to your vehicle, and make it look good, the answer is yes! Just read the instructions first and take your time.

Practice!!!
Take a little time and practice using the touch up paint before you apply it to your car. This will give you a good feel for the paint and you can check the color match. Use a surface such as a metal can, a glossy sheet of paper, etc. to practice on. Use several light coats rather than one heavy coat when brushing or spraying the paint. Make sure you let the paint dry properly. If you really want an excellent repair, don't skip practicing!

Check the Match
Always check the paint match BEFORE you apply it to your vehicle. Use the enclosed test card, a glossy business card or a metal can and brush or spray out a little color and compare it to your vehicle.  If there are any problems, please let us know so we can assist you by filling out this form.

Paint Spraying-Humidity and Temperature Warning!
Make sure you do not spray in wet or humid conditions! To test the humidity, spray some of the clearcoat and see how it dries. If it dries with a whitish haze or streaks, it's too humid to paint! Spray paint should be applied when the temperature is at least 70°F and the humidity is below 50%.

Key Scratches
The paint pens work well on key scratches as you can easily control the amount of paint and apply it to the scratch. Try to follow the scratch as closely as possible with the basecoat. Apply the clearcoat and use rubbing compound to smooth and shine the area. 

Primer
If you have an unpainted surface, either bare metal, plastic, rubber, etc., APPLY PRIMER! Primer is made to stick to unpainted surfaces and paint is designed to stick to primer!  Primer can also be used to fill small imperfections in the surface. 

Make sure you are using the correct type of primer. Rubberized surfaces should use a rubberized primer, metal surfaces a metal primer, etc. If you select the box on the order form: "Paint for a flexible bumper or non-metal surface." we will send you the correct primer. 

If you are priming both metal and non-metal surfaces, you will need both types of primer. Order two of the primers, and check the box on the order form as noted above for "Paint for a flexible bumper or non-metal surface."  In the comments section on the Checkout screen, put a note saying "Please send one metal primer and one rubberized primer."  You don't want to use a rubberized primer on metal and a metal primer on non-metal surfaces.

Clean the area of all dust with a tack rag and apply primer to the unpainted surfaces. Make sure you let the primer dry thoroughly before applying the color coat. Lightly sand the primed area with #220 grit sandpaper followed by #600 wet and dry.

Obtaining a Glossy Finish with Rubbing Compound
Our paint requires a final polishing with rubbing compound (which we sell on our site) to make the paint glossy. Do not use polishing compound, it is not aggressive enough to polish the paint. There is a big difference between rubbing and polishing compound. Also, do not use heavy duty rubbing compound as this is too aggressive and will dull your paint. If you are spraying a large area, we recommend having the area machine polished as trying to polish the area by hand would be time consuming and require considerable pressure to obtain the proper gloss. You can use polishing pads with your electric drill, or go to your nearest detail shop and have them polish it for you. Machine polishing takes skill and it's very easy to burn right through the paint. Our rubbing compound can be applied by hand or machine.

Bumpers and Non-Metal Surfaces
If you are spray painting your bumper or other non-metal surfaces, please indicate on the order form by checking the appropriate box. Flex is only added to the clearcoat and not the basecoat paint. The flex additive is not needed if you are brushing or using the paint pen. We will add a flex additive so the clearcoat will hold up properly. You can use this clearcoat on both metal and non-metal surfaces.  If you order primer and request the flex additive, we will send you a special rubberized primer. However, this rubberized primer should only be used on non-metal surfaces. Please note: Paint with flex can be used on both non-metal and metal surfaces. So if you are touching up a bumper and a door panel, order the clearcoat with flex as it can be used on both surfaces!

Fiberglass
If you are painting a sturdy, rigid fiberglass part, the flex additive is not necessary. Only thin, flexible fiberglass parts need the flex additive.

Using your own Spray Equipment
You must thin the paint before you can spray it from your own equipment. Thin the paint 1:1 with automotive lacquer thinner (not the lacquer thinner sold at Home Depot, etc.).  The clearcoat will also need to be thinned 1:1 with automotive lacquer thinner. The primer we sell is ready to spray and does not need to be thinned. Make sure you read the primer label if you ordered the pint, quart or gallon for instructions on how to use it. You can use a regular automotive spray gun, an airbrush or the Preval sprayer available at most auto parts stores. 

You can use the recommended DuPont basemaker as a thinner (reducer.) The reduction is 1:1 and they have different basemakers for different temperatures in the range of 65º-85º F so there are several to select from. For example, DUP7175S which would be Dupont's basemaker which would be suitable for temperatures up to 75º. You will need to purchase this locally as there are several basemakers with different temperature ranges. Our paint does not need a catalyst or activator as it air dries.

Tri-Coats
Any color that has the word "Tri-coat" in the color description will need three different steps to achieve the correct color. First the basecoat is applied, followed by the midcoat and finally a clearcoat is applied. Make sure you practice before applying this touch-up paint to your vehicle.

Waxing
Allow the paint to dry for 30 days before waxing. 

Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Do not leave the bottle in your vehicle, as heat will dry up the paint. To make the paint last as long as possible, you can store the paint in your refridgerator. (If your spouse will let you!). Don't freeze the paint!

Hazards and Safety-VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!!
Automotive touch-up paint including primer and clearcoats are EXTREMELY hazardous. Keep away from children! Call a physician IMMEDIATELY if swallowed. Keep out of direct sunlight and heat over 120F. DO NOT STORE IN CAR and avoid freezing. Contains HAZARDOUS Waste. EPA requires proper disposal. Use with adequate ventilation. If you experience any dizziness, discontinue product use immediately and call physician. This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause birth defects, cancer and other health problems. The main thing here is to use the product with adequate ventilation. Use an approved automotive paint respirator and WEAR safety goggles when handling automotive paint to protect your eyes!! This includes the primer, paint and clearcoat