Repairing your car at home is extremely beneficial; there’s no need to drive and pay someone else when you can easily do it yourself. However, it’s not as easy as it might look. To buy the right paint color, use the right materials, and get even coverage, you’ll need to learn from the experts.

Our comprehensive guide will take you through the entire process, step-by-step, so you know how to touch up car paint like a pro. We’ll even teach you how to get desirable results using our car touch-up paint kits. We want to help you drive with confidence again!

 

Choose the right color

Keeping in mind that different manufacturers use different colors, “eyeballing” the color won’t give you an exact match.

It’s helpful to know your factory paint code. You can usually find this information on the dash, on the firewall under your hood, or in your operator’s manual.

If you don’t know your paint code, that’s okay—at ScratchWizard, we offer excellent color match services. We factory-match to ensure the new paint looks identical to the OEM’s paint.

Before you paint, test the product in an inconspicuous spot to make sure you’re using the correct color. If there’s an unnoticeable difference, then you can begin painting.

 

Look over your entire vehicle

Before you begin, double check the entire car for any areas that require treatment. You’ll want to perform repairs all at once while you have all the supplies out. Take special note of any exposed metal; you’ll need to treat the spot before it worsens and creates rust.

There are usually more scratches and chips than you thought, so make sure you set aside plenty of time. Rushing the job can lead to less than satisfactory results.

If you only need to treat small areas, you can easily touch them up yourself. However, larger areas might require a professional’s attention; they can spray paint these areas for a smooth finish. If you still want to tackle the project yourself, we offer spray paint kits that make scratches and chips virtually undetectable!

 

Perfect the application

First, you’ll need to park your car in an area where dirt and debris won’t get sealed into the wet paint. Your open garage works perfectly for this, as there’s plenty of ventilation without a direct breeze. When applying the paint, you also want to avoid direct sunlight.

Once you’ve found a clean environment, it’s time to wash your car. Ensure it’s completely dry, then, sand the area (or areas) you’re treating. Make sure the area is rust-free. For deeper scratches and chips, use a rougher grit and move up to finer grits as you work.

We recommend practicing your paint technique before you actually do any work. This will help you achieve the best outcome. Use a piece of scrap metal and move the brush in uniform, sweeping strokes. If an area is larger than a dime, you might want to use a spray kit rather than a brush.

When you’re ready to paint, apply a primer first. A primer fills in any holes and imperfections, giving you an even surface for the touch-up paint.

We recommend applying two or three coats of touch-up paint. Yes, more likely than not, this will take multiple coats of paint—so be patient! Make sure each layer is completely dry before applying more product.

Sanding the area is the best way to blend old and new paint. Gently rub with high-grit sandpaper. A lower grit is coarser, and its use can often lead to over-sanding. Finally, apply a clear coat to seal in your work.

After a few days, you can apply rubbing compound for added shine. Want to take it up a notch? Repair your car’s wheels with our wheel paint to complete your car’s appearance.

 

Prevention

Ultimately, it’ll be difficult to completely avoid scratches and chips. It’s inevitable, as it happens with normal wear of the vehicle. But here are a few culprits:

• Dirt – Its organic compounds break down through your paint, which will cause patches of wear.
• Rocks—Pebbles from gravel roads and highways can easily chip away at your paint.
• Bugs – Wipe critters off your car as soon as you can. If left sitting on your car, the acid from insects can wear through your paint.
• The car doors of other drivers – Parking lots can be a dangerous place for your car, as car doors that are opened into yours can wreak havoc on your paint.

 

Safety

As always, before restoring your vehicle, don’t forget to prepare yourself as well as your workspace. We always advise wearing rubber gloves as well as safety googles and a respirator. This way, you can keep your hands clean, avoid eye irritation, and protect yourself from chemical fumes. Don’t forget to responsibly dispose all products after use!

To ensure you have everything you need, purchase one of our car touch-up paint kits. Each one comes with all the supplies you need for effortless repairs.

 

Regular touch-ups will keep your car looking its best for longer. Plus, if you know how to touch up car paint, it’s more cost-effective to simply treat damages yourself. We suggest using our paint since it’s the best out there; it prevents rust from spreading while it eliminates noticeable brush strokes and paint blobs.

ScratchWizard offers the best in touch-up paint, and we carry everything you’ll need to restore the interior and exterior of your vehicle. We even carry scratch-filling putty, excess paint remover, microfiber cloths, and so much more. The best part about our site is that you can browse by your vehicle—just search the year, make, and model.

So, what are you waiting for? Get that new car look without spending hundreds on repairs at an auto body shop. Achieve the professional results you’ve always wanted. Shop our inventory now.