Touching Up Car Paint

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Finding the paint

Go to an auto body supply shop (look in the yellow pages), and have them mix the color for you - [or use paintscratch.com to have them make up paint for you (it may be cheaper and more accurate).]

If you're painting the car the same color, the paint code is on the fender tag (which on EEKs is actually on the radiator support). Give them the code and they will mix the stuff in any quantity you like. In fact, I had a can made up for my '78 Volare's paint. I gave them the paint code and asked for 4 ounces (I intended to use it as touchup). I think it was $6 plus tax, which is not much more than the spray paint cans, and the paint was fresh and it matched perfectly.

The paint code is found on the line above the bottom line of the codes. It's the code (or codes) next to the P. For example, here is the appropriate line from the tag on my Acclaim:

APA PMB QMB BFM6 EDM

The APA means single tone paint, so the next two codes will be the same. I believe that APB is dual tone paint. The code beginning with P is the main body paint color (mine is PMB), and the Q code is the secondary body paint (my car is only one color, so the MB is the same). Bring them the P code (and the Q if you need/want both colors) and they will mix it up.

The line may appear in different places, but the two paint codes will start with P and Q, and they will follow either APA or APx (if it's not APB). On the latest cars ('95 and up, I believe), the code will sometimes appear on the factory certification sticker on the door or door jamb.

This applies to any Chrysler-built car starting in 1984. Prior to that, the coding system was different.

Touch-up hints

The information in this first section was provided by a Dodge salesman who was fired shortly afterwards. He seemed to be pretty confident. Still, proceed at your own risk. I take no responsibility for any negative applications. Note addendum at the end from a pro detailer.

First, you need to use a good brush, not the garbage that comes in a touch-up paint bottle. Get an artist's mink or sable brush. Cut it at a 45 degree angle. Daub it on - do not brush it - as you go. Let the paint slide down the bristles and into the scratch / chip. Clear off excess paint from the brush first.

Now from personal experience. Still, proceed at your own risk. I take no responsibility for any negative applications.

I have found that some colors of paint, especially metallic blue, are extremely hard to reproduce correctly. The touch up paint simply does not match either of my metallic blue cars. (I had the sequentially, not simultaneously). I got best results from mixing different colors, but be careful when you do this, because they dry a different color than you might think! Experiment first. paintscratch.com says they have no problems with matching blues or any other color. They also note that they have a paint pen which works better than a brush.

When painting into a scratch, remember that you can wipe off any excess or overdab. So start prepared with a lint-free cloth. I also use my fingernail when the paint dries on too quickly.

Your best bet is prevention. Avoid metallic paints, which are hard to touch up and seem to be more trouble prone. White and non-metallic beige appear to be the best in terms of chip and peel discoloration.

More from Scott (Clean Concepts Professional Auto Detailing)

Saw your write up on touch up paint and thought I would add some input from a detailer's perspective. I occasionally get asked to touch up some minor scratches on customers' cars. I personally like using an ordinary toothpick for application. This avoids the brush marks that may result, even when simply "dabbing" the paint on. The touch up must also be very well mixed. Any touch up that's been sitting aorund for a while is junk, always use fresh paint. It's true though, those paints never do actually match but I've always come real close. It's a real trick, but with patience and a steady hand you can get halfway descent results.

Rust

David Tesch recommended POR 15 to neutralize rust.

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