It is simple to touch up small scratches on your car using a small bottle of paint.
Mask the area thoroughly before you begin the job. Next, apply the paint in even, sweeping strokes. Follow the instructions on the can.
The technique used to paint a vehicle’s body can vary depending on its size and original paint. It’s nearly impossible to hide the fact that you have repainted more than a small area if you don’t have a steady hand and the original paint isn’t changed.
Spray-painting larger areas is required. This must be done in an area with good ventilation and free of dust and dirt. If the area that you are painting is very large, it will likely cost less to hire a professional to match the paint and complete the job correctly.
You can get a decent job for a low price, but it will last you a year. Check out the local car dealers to see if they take used cars as trade-ins. They can then have them cleaned up and ready for resale. You can save money by removing rust and spot-filling small areas and painting the rest yourself.
You can practice on scrap metal before you tackle your car. Don’t expect great results. These are the steps to follow:
Choose the right color of paint.
You will see the plate with your body number and paint code on the firewall.
Most paint touch-up bottles come with a brush and/or an applicator. A small amount of primer is also required unless the paint states otherwise.
You must ensure that there is no rust in the area.
You may only need to apply a small amount of rust arrestor if the damage is not severe.
Sand carefully.
To roughen up the surface, use a small amount of #220 sandpaper. This will ensure that primer sticks well.
Make sure to clean the entire area.
Clean the area of rust arrestors, dirt, filler residue and wax. Let the area dry completely before applying primer. Primer is used for sealing a metal surface from rust and providing a surface to allow paint to adhere to. Primer can also be used to fill in small holes or imperfections on the surface.
You can apply paint to a surface scratch or chip that isn’t quite as severe as bare metal. Paint should never be applied to metal or plastic. Prime the area if there is a bare spot or it is more than an inch.
Apply the primer sparingly with a small brush or matchstick.
To cover the area damaged, you should only need one drop. Do not apply primer to the original paint. If you do get primer on the original paint, remove it immediately. Before moving onto the next step, let the primer dry completely.
Mix the paint with the touch-up spray.
The color of your vehicle may not match perfectly unless it is brand new. This is why you should keep the area as small and compact as possible. Newer models’ paint doesn’t fade nearly as fast or as badly as older paints.
Paint the area completely, working inwardly from the edges.
You can use a toothpick or matchstick to paint a small scratch or area. Paint should not be thicker than the surrounding surfaces or it will show through, bubble, bubble, or peel.
Allow everything to dry for several days.
To blend the paint, wax and polish the entire vehicle and give it a high shine.