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The Most Affordable Repair Kit - 50ml of Touch-up paint for £13.99

Top tips for using a car touch up paint

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Drivers know road rash is a fact of life. It’s almost impossible to avoid the damage caused by loose gravel and stones. From a single chip to multiple scratches, road rash can impact the look of your car and cost a fortune to fix.

But… not anymore. By using Auto Aerosol car touch up paint, you can get on top of annoying chips and scrapes to keep your car looking pristine. You can also protect the bodywork against rust or corrosion that can ruin the resale value of your treasured vehicle.

How to find the perfect shade

The best way to get that professional-standard look is to order the perfect shade of custom-mixed paint with Auto Aerosol. There are two ways to find your vehicle’s unique paint code:

  • Use our paint code finder. Enter your registration number or make and model, and we’ll generate the colour you need.
  • Look for a sticker with an alphanumeric code on your vehicle — common locations are the engine compartment, the boot, and the driver’s side door post.

How to choose the right type of touch up paint

Getting that factory finish also depends on choosing the best application method for the job. We have four types of car touch up paint that can help:

  • Touch up paint pens are great for making quick and accurate repairs. They’re suitable for minor damage (around 2 square inches max) and can be applied easily, even in hard-to-reach places.
  • Are you dealing with minor damage but prefer the control of a brush? Our paint bottles come with a dedicated paintbrush, so you can control the paint flow during application for a fantastic finish on chips and scrapes.
  • Aerosol paints are popular for covering road rash or deeper scratches. Our premium formulation covers smoothly and evenly for fast results.
  • If the damage is extensive and needs a full panel respray, try our paint tins. Paired with a spray gun attachment, they deliver showroom-worthy results.
Applying clear coat with a pen

How to prepare your vehicle for a touch up paint repair

Before applying your touch up paint, you’ll need to prepare the bodywork to help the paint adhere to the surface better.

  • Clean and degrease the area thoroughly to remove dirt, debris, and oil, which can prevent paint from sticking to the bodywork. Dry thoroughly.
  • Run your finger over the damage. If it snags on any rough edges, smooth them with fine sandpaper.
  • If the scratch penetrates the base coat, use a primer for the best results.

How to use car touch up paint

How do you apply touch up paint to a car? Here are some other helpful tips on how to use touch up paint:

  • Use several thin layers rather than applying too much paint at once for an even application.
    Allow each coat to dry for at least 25 minutes before applying the next.
  • Once the paint is dry, apply a layer of clear coat (optional) to protect your car.
  • Tape off or mark the damaged area so you don’t re-paint over your car’s bodywork, as this could result in an uneven finish.

Common mistakes to avoid when applying touch up paint to a car

In our time of developing car repair paints, we’ve come to learn a few common mistakes that people make when using touch up paints for car repairs:

  • Using the wrong paint: Don’t guess your shade; use our paint code finder to get perfect results.
  • Skipping the prep: Take the time to create the right surface so the paint adheres correctly.
  • Slathering on paint: Less is more, so use thin, even layers to build the paint gradually.
  • Don’t rush it: Rushing the drying process will result in a smudged or smeared result.

Get flawless car paint repairs with Auto Aerosol

Want a professional-level car paint finish without the hefty price tag? Now you know how to do a paint touch up on a car, it’s time to use our paint code finder to find your perfect shade. Then, order your custom-mixed aerosol, paint pen, bottle, or tin from Auto Aerosol today.

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