Anybody used touch-up paint??

[OFF-RD]

Apparently something flew off a vehicle in front of me on the highway. A rock, piece of metal, something. Because when I was washing my truck yesterday I noticed two gashes in my hood just above the driver's headlight. The scratches are all the way to bare metal, and there are two of them about one inch long each.

 

So obviously I need to get some touch-up paint to patch it up with before it starts to rust. Or, maybe these are aluminum hoods and they won't rust. But anyway....the question is. Are there any guidelines to follow when using touch-up paint? Do I need to sand it any first? Any particular kind works best?

[Bish]

Apparently something flew off a vehicle in front of me on the highway.  A rock, piece of metal, something.  Because when I was washing my truck yesterday I noticed two gashes in my hood just above the driver's headlight.  The scratches are all the way to bare metal, and there are two of them about one inch long each. 

 

So obviously I need to get some touch-up paint to patch it up with before it starts to rust.  Or, maybe these are aluminum hoods and they won't rust.  But anyway....the question is.  Are there any guidelines to follow when using touch-up paint?  Do I need to sand it any first?  Any particular kind works best?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I've used the dealer touch-up paint in the small bottle with the cap with small brush. With scratches down to primer, I clean with acetone and apply with the brush. On the few I have had down to bare metal, I clean with acetone and use a q-tip with primer first, then about 15 minutes later I use the touch-up paint.

 

The key for me getting good results is to dab a small drop off the tip of the brush to fill the hole as opposed to brushing it on. Brushing seems to leave a texture I don't like. With the drop method, it fills the hole more smoothly. I have NOT had luck trying to sand. I always create a much larger spot when I try sanding so I avoid it. Perhaps with the right small sanding tools, you could smooth it out prior to painting.

 

Good Luck.

[Yuzilla]

Definitely get the touch up paint from the dealer. I try to never use the brush that comes with it. The best way to apply the touch up paint is to get a match book and pull one match out. Use the back of the match as an applicator and apply the paint. When I have used the brush that comes with the paint, it usuallly goes on too thick. You can also use the matches for the primer as well. My 2 cents.

[OFF-RD]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try to get that done this week while the weather is warm (60s) for this time of year around here.

[Chestah]

I've used the pen one you can buy from AutoZone on minor scratches. It does an alright job. From what I can tell, it doesn't do anything to really fix the scratches/gashes, but it can really help in making them alot less noticeable.

[jhoff8487]

About two weeks ago it was real windy here and my dad was getting in the passenger side and the wind caught the door and blew it in to him and he ended up keying the door about 1/4 of an inch down to bare metal. At the time..I was pretty upset but he didn't do it on purpose and I know that. It was just hard to see the truck with 1400 miles get scratched like that. I went to the dealership and bought some touch up paint with the brush. I apply it with a toothpick though..it allows me to have a much finer tip and place it just how I want. And I agree with Chestah...it doesn't make it close to new again but makes it a lot less noticable.