Is Buying a Touch-Up Pen Useful?
4 Answers
Buying a touch-up pen is useful. As one of the tools for repairing car scratches, many people doubt whether touch-up pens are effective as an immediate paint treatment method. In fact, touch-up pens can perform surface treatment on some relatively small and shallow scratches, covering the marks and making them less noticeable. The effect is quite good, although it cannot achieve the same result as the original car paint, it is much better than leaving the scratches untreated. More relevant information is as follows: 1. The role of touch-up pens: Nowadays, apart from white being pearl paint, many car paints are metallic, containing small metal particles, making the paint surface harder and more wear-resistant. The paint inside a touch-up pen does not have such high-quality material, so the touch-up will have some imperfections. However, touch-up pens still have a certain effect, providing some concealment and anti-corrosion protection. 2. How to use a touch-up pen: The professional method is to cover areas that do not need painting with tape, select the appropriate color model of the touch-up pen that matches the car paint, shake the pen well to mix the paint, and then apply it evenly and smoothly on small scratches or imperfections on the car body. After the paint dries, it can repair, conceal, and fill in the scratches, and it also has some anti-rust function.
As someone who enjoys DIY car repairs, I find touch-up paint pens really useful. Once when a small chip was caused by a rock hitting my car, I simply applied the touch-up pen—it saved me the hassle and time of going to a repair shop, and it only cost a few dozen yuan. The key is to find the correct color code, which is the specific numerical value found in the car's VIN or manual, ensuring a better color match. Before use, clean the scratch thoroughly, making sure it's dry and dust-free, then gently apply the pen tip in multiple layers, allowing each to dry. While the result isn't as smooth as professional spray painting, it effectively covers small scratches (about the size of a fingernail) and prevents rust. Remember, it's not a cure-all—deep or large scratches require a professional. Keeping one in your car for emergencies is handy, especially for owners who frequently park outdoors.
From my experience of frequent driving, touch-up paint pens are quite practical. Minor scrapes from brushing against roadside leaves or small scratches during daily commutes are common. After purchasing the pen, a quick dab can cover them up, preventing exposed metal from oxidizing and worsening the damage. The key is to buy the correct color code for your car—don’t skimp and choose the wrong shade, or it’ll look like a mismatched pudding patch. The process is simple: pick a clear day, clean the area, dab with the pen, and once dry, wash the car as usual. While it’s not a permanent fix (the color may fade after a year or two), it’s cost-effective, saving you the $200–300 for professional repairs—ideal for those on a budget. However, don’t expect it to fix deep dents; for serious damage, seek professional help. Regular car inspections can help catch issues early.
As a novice car owner, I find touch-up pens quite useful. They're simple and easy to use for minor scratches (like small scuffs on side mirrors): check the color code inside your car before purchasing, clean off dust, apply directly, and wait a few hours for it to dry – affordable and hassle-free. However, the color might not perfectly match or the surface may appear slightly rough, but it works for everyday minor scratches. It's recommended to choose OEM-matched pens to minimize color differences, but avoid using them for larger damages.
