Touch up paint

BRegs · Postby **BRegs** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:35 pm

Hi guys,

I'm driving a 2000NB. It's a very, very clean car (70 000km), was garaged for most its life etc., but it has a few scratches/chips here and there that come with a 14 year old car.

I'm keen to get some touch up paint this week to start to repair/cover up these scratches/chips, and I've been presented with two different applications methods: an aerosol can OR a standard brush with paint in a jar.

What's my best option?

Thanks,
Ben

BRegs · Postby **BRegs** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:13 pm

BUMP - sorry if this is a silly question. Was hoping to do the touch-up work this Saturday, so a response from anyone would be appreciated

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:04 pm

Brush - it takes a very fine hand. Also, ditch the brush that comes with it. Go and buy some proper tiny fine brushes available at arts shops and the like. It's really only good for chips though, and if you're up close you will still see the very slight distinction, depending on your application.

Aerosol - Better for scratches. But don't buy off the shelf. Get one colour matched. Even if garaged, it will have faded over time.

You'll need prep materials with that. Masking stuff, sandpaper, prepwash etc. You're spraying, as you're well aware. If you've never sprayed before, and you say the car is pristine, practice on something first. It can be hard to blend it well.

What colour is it?

If it's just for chips and scratches, I'd be going the brush method. A lot, lot easier than the spray if you haven't done much of it before. Still not perfect, but spraying can lead to disaster and is a lot more noticeable.

I've done scratches and chips before with a brush, but I didn't care for a perfect finish. I have an extremely steady hand though, so that helped. I reckon go the brush. Definitely get a good very fine brush though.

BRegs · Postby **BRegs** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:32 am

Hi mate, thanks for the reply. The colour is the British Racing Green; colour code 18J.

I'll let you know how it all goes

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Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 4:16 pm

agree with Pamex - buy your paint and supplies preferably from a car paint supplier. In regard to colour matching they usually require something to match to and not all colours are all that susceptible to fading. The auto suppliers can also provide some info on how to. They can mix and supply while you wait .

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 10:06 pm

I just received a small kit to do plastic prime, colour and clear for the Mazda6 (copper red) from this place. https://www.touchuppaints.com.au/checkout.php

I'm going to try a touch up to the outside corner of one of the door mirrors tomorrow and see how the colour matches. Looks good in the bottle.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:58 am

Did it this morning. Perfect match!

BRegs · Postby **BRegs** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:59 am

I think I'll just buy it from them then.

However, I'm not sure if there selling my colour. Colour code 18J, which according to the bloke at John Newell Mazda is a Grace Emerald Mica?

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Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:46 am

Not sure what part of the world you guys live in but I can buy any auto paint product- one 5 mins from home the other 10 mins or the auto generics also 5 mins- my choice 5- 10Km probably 6 minimum. They can match to sample ( not always a good idea) or simply mix based on the formulation which they can easily reference.. Why buy a product thru the mail prob at a higher price when you can get it virtually on demand.and tok to someone for some tips or other products like undercoats or clear coats etc. I often buy 300 grm pressure cans mixed for around $15. You can buy readily buy paints for cars even over 30 years old - every paint shop is doing this daily i.e. sourcing a wide range of paints for every model.

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 12:24 pm

Hey BRegs. I 'had' a 2002 grace green NB, think its the same colour. Bought both a touch up pot and Spray can matched to the colour code. Bought from Auto One, as Morlock says pretty much any of the big chains should be able to colour match as good as the dealer.

The colour match is pretty much perfect. I tried to do stone chips with the brush, for my skill level, impossible to do neatly. Spray paint works a treat ( put it on lightly and if you need heavier do more coats when it dries. If you put too much on wet it will run)