How to Fix a Failed DIY Touch-Up Paint Job?

[LeBenjamin]

Here are the remedies for a failed DIY touch-up paint job: 1. Clean the scratch: Completely remove rust, dirt, and grease from the paint surface. Start by using ultra-fine water sandpaper dipped in water to gently sand away rust spots, then thoroughly wipe clean to prevent rust from spreading. 2. Paint repair: Carefully apply masking tape above and below the scratch. This mainly prevents accidentally painting other areas or causing paint runs. Shake the touch-up pen vigorously at least 30 times to mix the paint evenly. Unscrew the cap, take out the pen, and scrape off excess paint at the bottle opening. Use the pen tip to carefully apply and fill the scratch evenly, starting with a thin coat. Wait 5 minutes for slight drying before applying the second and third coats until the painted area slightly protrudes above the surrounding normal paint. For better results, use polishing compound to level the scratch and paint surface, enhancing paint adhesion. 3. Sanding and polishing: After 3 days, remove the tape and observe the paint. If noticeably raised, use a single-edge razor blade (with caution to avoid damaging surrounding areas) to gently scrape off high paint marks. The paint may appear soft and brittle, with some touch-up paint possibly flaking off. Reapply touch-up paint, wait 2 more days, then soak 2000-grit waterproof sandpaper in soapy water for 20-30 minutes to soften it (reducing risk to original paint). Clean surface dust, secure the sandpaper with a sanding pad, and gently wet-sand the repaired area until level with surrounding paint.