What are the methods and steps for car touch-up painting?
3 Answers
Prepare the tools, soak the sandpaper in water, and wrap it around a hard cotton block. Use the wrapped sandpaper to sand the scratched area until it feels smooth to the touch compared to the surrounding paint. Prepare tape and a cloth to cover areas that do not need touch-up painting, then wait for it to dry.
I recently tried to touch up the paint on my car myself, and the process was quite simple. First, wash the car thoroughly, especially the area to be repaired, ensuring there's no dust or dirt. Then, lightly sand off the old paint and rust with sandpaper to make sure the surface is smooth. After sanding, clean off any dust. Next, apply a primer—either by spraying or brushing—just a thin layer and let it dry completely. After that, spray on the topcoat. I bought a spray can, which is very convenient for beginners. Keep a distance of about 20 cm and spray evenly, avoiding thick coats to prevent bubbles. Once sprayed, let it dry in a well-ventilated area for half a day. Finally, lightly sand and polish with fine sandpaper to make the paint shine like new. It's recommended to do this in a garage and wear a mask to protect against dust. The tools cost just a few hundred yuan, and the result saves half the cost compared to professional services. The key is to be patient and not rush.
The key to touch-up painting lies in thorough preparation. I find it crucial to first clean the car surface by rinsing with water and car wash soap, then wiping with isopropyl alcohol to remove grease. Next, sand the damaged area with 240-grit sandpaper, vacuuming after smoothing. Then apply primer – I find using a spray gun offers better control, applying thin coats with 15-minute drying intervals. When spraying the topcoat, maintain steady hands at a 45-degree angle, applying two coats with 10 minutes between layers. After drying, wet-sand with 2000-grit paper for polishing. Note that the ideal ambient temperature is 15-25°C, and avoid rainy conditions to prevent curing issues. Always mask surrounding body panels with protective film during the process, and allow 24-hour curing before water exposure. Practice makes perfect – a few attempts will make you professional.
