Things You'll Need:
- Automotive lacquer thinner
- 2 clean soft rags
- Primer
- Automotive touch-up paint
- Automotive clear coat
- Rubbing compound
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Step 1
Clean the area where you need to apply touch up paint by opening the bottle of automotive lacquer thinner, covering the top with a clean soft rag and quickly tipping the bottle upside down to get a small amount of the thinner on the rag. Wipe the area with the rag to remove any paint or debris from the damage. Let dry for 20 minutes.
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Step 2
Place the cap back on your bottle of lacquer thinner and open the paint pen or brush bottle of touch-up paint. Practice painting on the sides of the lacquer thinner bottle so you get a feel for how the paint will flow. Use a dabbing motion even with a brush, you do not want to use a brush-type stroke as this will leave marks in the surface.
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Step 3
Dab the paint onto the damaged area. Don't let any get on the original paint of the vehicle. Fill the damaged area completely, using thin layers. Let dry according to the instructions on the paint you are using.
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Step 4
Cover the area with a thin layer of automotive clear coat. Most auto supply stores sell small aerosol cans that you can use to do this efficiently and without the risk of bubbling that can come from using a brush to apply a liquid clear coat. One short spray is all that it takes. Do not worry if you get some on the original paint of your vehicle.
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Step 5
Open your tin of rubbing compound and place a small amount of a clean, soft rag. Rub the compound over the dry touch-up paint. Rub in a circular motion for about ten minutes, or until the rubbing compound begins to develop a sheen that is close to matching the gloss of the original car paint. Let dry four to six hours in shade before waxing or washing your car.
