touch-up paint question

[Matt7084]

there are some spots on my car where the paint has chipped, mostly on the hood. These chips are very small, you cant really see them unless you are within 3-4 feet looking down at them. Just sort of 6 or 7 white splotches on the hood. Plus there is a good scratch on the center of the roof.

How do I go about fixing these blemishes? Touch-up paint? Im pretty clueless in this area but Ill be scouring the internet for articles on paint and such so I can hopefully fix this soon. Any help from people with prior experience would be great!

thanks - matt (86 911)

[kstylianos]

Matt,

try this:

http://www.carcareonline.com/viewarticle.aspx?art=8

[Porsche]

That's a great article! Thanks!

[blau911]

Matt,
As regards applying touch up paint to a scratched area, a friend of mine who paints car told me to use a book of matches as a brush (ny cardboard fiber article that when torn has a bristled edge will do - a match book is good because it is made of cardboard, small and easy to tear). Simply tear the match book down to the size needed, dip the tip into the paint and lightly dab the paint onto the damaged surface rather than brush it on. Lay it on thick enough so that flows into the scratched area. The idea is to let the paint pool up into the damaged area and let the paint even itself out to fill the scratch. After a week or so when it has fully dried, go back in and wet sand it with 400 grade paper, and then wax and polish it.
The only other important step is to find matching paint!
Good luck

[blau911]

Just read the link Charlie provided. It is more detailed and offers good ideas. Also, I mentioned using 400 grit paper and they suggest 600. The higher the grade, the better for wet sanding!

[89911]

I've used many products, (wet sanding, thinner, etc.) I've found the best way is to clean the area very well with some degreaser and use the smallest item you can find (toothpick end, small detail brush with the end cut off, etc) and use just enough to flow into the chipped area. Do a few applications if it is deep. Try not to go beyond the borders of the chip. Using too much and then trying to remove it causes more work then it needs.

[RickM]

I use a toothpick as well. If you do a search you'll see a few excellent threads. Eastwood also sells some usefull tools for the job.