If you don't know how to touch up car paint, then here is a guide for the same. Get rid of rust and scratches that are spoiling the appearance of your car by following the procedure given here.
Having knowledge of touch up paint procedure is important, if you own a car. Minor scratches and dents can anytime ruin its beauty. So, what do you do in such cases? Stare at that scratch and feel sad? Well, that's of no use.
Touch up paint is the ultimate way to clear a scratch and have a clean surface. As mentioned, knowing the procedure is helpful in such cases. If you wonder that you need to take professional help to clear those small scratches or repaint the rusted areas, then you are wrong! All you need to do is follow some steps mentioned ahead and do the job yourself.
Step-by-step Procedure
Before we start off, make sure you gather the required material. Masking tape, masking paper, sandpaper, primer, base coat and clear coat are the basic things that you need for this job.
Choosing the right color is an important step as well. A wrong shade will make it noticeable. But, remember that there's much more than choosing a right shade and painting the scratch.
Step 1
Start the procedure by parking your car in the shade. Clean your car by washing it with a specially formulated car shampoo, and dry it. Dry the area on which you will be working thoroughly. Mask the area around the damaged part to avoid spilling or spreading of paint over it.
Step 2
Now, take a high grit sandpaper and sand the damaged area. Make sure that you sand the area and at least 1½ inches more all around the scratch thoroughly. Now, wipe the area with a soft cloth.
Step 3
Take a paint brush and apply the primer over the scratch. Let it dry. Apply one more coat of primer. You can apply up to 4 coats with a gap of 10 minutes between each coat.
Step 4
The base coat is basically the paint color matching with your car's original color. Once you have bought automotive paint, make sure you test it on a hidden surface. This will help you decide whether the color is matching with original color of your car. Remember that this is an important step to have a well-blended look.
Step 5
Now, softly sand the primed area. Next, take the color and apply it over the primed surface. You can apply 3-4 coats as required. Make sure you keep a gap of 20-30 minutes between 2 coats for drying. You can choose to use a paint can and brush or a spray paint for repainting the damaged area.
Step 6
Finish the procedure by application of clear coat after the base coat (paint color) dries off.
If the scratches are not reworked on time, the open surface might start rusting. Rust can further ruin the appearance of your car. So, it is best to know how to carry out the procedure and work on the scratches on time. This will not only avoid further damage but also restore the looks of your car.
As far as the cost is concerned, it is just the total cost of material you buy while you do the job yourself. Professional car painting prices will vary depending upon the depth and dimension of the scratch.
Also, learning how to paint a car is much easier after you master the touch up job. Just the canvas you work upon is huge in case of complete car paint job. No matter how small a scratch on your car is, refinish it on time and enjoy a plush, clean drive.