paint touchup tips

**2black1s** · 07-16-2021, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Camineet

... I'd really prefer to do nothing other than maintain the spot with proper car care. But I just want to see what the general opinion is on something like this over a ten year period or so and whether or not I should really bother with a proper fix.

Where do you live? That makes a big difference in how fast any exposed metal will rust.

If you live in Southern California you could leave it as is practically forever. OTOH, if you live in a midwestern state where you get snow and salt on the roads, the prognosis is not so good.

As far as a diagnosis of the second pic goes, I can't see the defect well enough to opine.

**Camineet** · 07-16-2021, 11:32 AM

Yep, I live in Michigan so...

Ok, thanks for the guidance. I'll be considering what to do on it.

Mike Phillips · 07-16-2021, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Camineet

Hey would you guys weigh in on the 2nd pic above? I'm inclined to not try a touchup repair on this one because I think the repair will end up more prominent than it is now, especially with a noob like me doing it.

Can you guys let me know if you think it's unwise to let an issue like this remain unrepaired? It looks like the scratch is down to the metal, but not entirely sure. I'm just concerned about leaving it like this for ten years or however long I own the car with only wax and other LSP's on it preventing rust.

Here's the picture - I think?

If the scratch is down to bare metal then definitely clean it as best as you can and dab in some touch-up paint. Once rust moves in it's hard to kick him out.

**Camineet** · 07-16-2021, 12:34 PM

Yep, that's the one. And yeah, I had better do something about it.

**MisterSnoop** · 07-16-2021, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Camineet

It's really narrow and shallow.

If that's the case, probably not worth trying Dr Colorchip on it unless you otherwise already had it. Not the cheapest option.

**Camineet** · 07-16-2021, 12:56 PM

Yeah like 50 bucks for the cheaper option.

**opie** · 07-16-2021, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Camineet

Hi guys,

Wondering what the consensus is on basic paint touchup.

What's the general thinking on this on these paints? Is it ok to buy something budget on eBay like this?

Pick Your Color - 1 Oz Touch up Paint Kit with Brush for Nissan Car Truck SUV | eBay

Or rather, do guys usually stick with the OEM stuff and just pay double or so for it?

Also, do guys usually go the extra step of dabbing on clear coat on top after allowing the paint dab to dry?

That's all I can think of for now.

Thanks.

Automotivetouchup.com

I've used it and paint colors have matched perfectly

**Camineet** · 07-16-2021, 10:07 PM

I've been going over these techniques and some other videos and am wondering about something in the wet sanding process. I've seen that you can wet sand the area on and around the repair with a sponge and fine grit wet sanding paper or you can superglue some small circles of sand paper onto pencil erasers and go much smaller.

Is it really viable to just go that small with the pencil eraser method? I like the idea of sanding less area but am skeptical of this method in a certain way. Will it possibly result in an uneven surface?

What's really more common with the wet sanding step?

**Camineet** · 07-17-2021, 10:10 AM

I'm thinking about going with a combo of the pencil eraser superglue approach and this 1inch kit. What do you guys think?

Amazon.com

**2black1s** · 07-17-2021, 10:44 AM

I've never done the pencil eraser thing.

Could it be done? Yes, with extreme care to keep it flat and perpendicular to the surface. The ability to do that is what concerns me. If you are tilted off flat, even slightly, you are going to be instilling a gouge adjacent to the spot you are trying to level.

The smallest backing I have used when doing this type of work is a popsicle stick.