What are the essentials for car touch-up painting?
3 Answers
Essentials for car touch-up painting: 1. Completely remove rust, dirt, and grease from the painted surface. First, use very fine sandpaper dipped in water to sand away rust spots, then thoroughly clean to ensure the rust does not spread; 2. Carefully use tape to mask off the area around the scratch. Shake the touch-up paint pen vigorously more than 30 times to mix the paint evenly, then unscrew the cap, take out the pen, and scrape off excess paint at the bottle opening; 3. After the paint has dried, gently scrape off any high spots. The paint is soft and brittle, making it easy to remove, but if some paint has already come off in the scratch, it will need to be reapplied. Once fully dried, there is no need to scrape with a blade.
I just did some touch-up painting at home, and I think the key lies in preparation and patience. The first step is to thoroughly clean the car's surface, washing off grease with soapy water, then drying it completely—no moisture should remain, or the paint won't adhere. The second step, sanding, is crucial. Start with coarse sandpaper, like 240 grit, to roughen the old paint, creating a matte surface without damaging the primer. Be gentle around edges and corners. The third step is proper masking—use tape and paper to cover areas you don't want to paint, like lights and windows, ensuring a tight seal to prevent overspray. When spraying, choose the correct color, shake the can well, and spray from 15-20 cm away, applying thin layers with a few minutes of drying time between each. Avoid heavy coats to prevent runs or bubbles. After painting, let it dry for a day or two, then lightly polish the surface with fine sandpaper. Waxing will add extra shine. Ensure good ventilation throughout the process, and always wear a mask and gloves—safety comes first.
As a beginner, I believe the top priority in touch-up painting is safety precautions. Cleaning the car body should not be taken lightly—I use alcohol to wipe it down first, removing any grease stains. Then, when sanding, medium-grit sandpaper should be used to roughen the old paint surface, ensuring the new paint adheres well. I often make mistakes during the masking stage by not sealing tightly enough, resulting in paint splattering elsewhere. It's best to spend extra time applying tape and paper properly. When spraying, start with a small test area to check the color and texture compatibility. Shake the spray can thoroughly and maintain even, consistent movements without lingering too long in one spot. If bubbles or runs appear, don't panic—wait for it to dry, then sand it down with fine-grit sandpaper and reapply. Finally, drying should not be rushed; let it air dry naturally for at least a day, or it may smudge upon touch. These small steps may seem simple, but executing them well can save a lot of trouble.
