i had a few chips on my truck so i decided to get some touch up paint and tried to fix it, needless to say its caked on now and looks like total CRAP!!!! anyway to fix this? i know nobody else will notice it but ill always know its there, plus when im washing my truck ill end up seeing it since i try to be detailed, its on the hood of my truck, EAK

 

RockPick will be around shortly to help you out.

 

Rockpick here.

Let me do a little searching on the proper method to do touch-up fixes and I'll post back shortly...

I'll tell you that it's going to involve a good polish (like Meguiars Mirror Glaze #83 DACP and maybe a filling product like #9) and also some 1500 and/or 2000 grit sandpaper.

Bear with me... I'll be back.

RP

 

Okay... I'm back...

Here's the method that I use as perscribed by Intel486 (which taught me). It takes patience and a little patience but, if you follow this method, you'll be happy with the fix. I've actually got the technique down such that you can't tell I ever fixed the chip (even though the front end of my truck sure doesn't look like it right now.

(Excerpt From Intel486 dated 2/27/2002)

Take your truck to a paintshop and tell them you want a touch-up bottle of color matched paint for your truck. They will usually only charge $8 - $10 for it and they will make it match.

Before you put the paint in you'll need to strip the wax off the area. I like to use Dawn wash. It won't hurt the paint and it'll strip the wax off. Use a toothpick then to let the paint flow into the chip. Let it dry.

Get some pencils with rubber erasers. Use a hole punch to cut some circles out of a sheet of 2000 grit sandpaper. Use rubber cement to attack them to the pencil eraser. Let the glue dry and then let the eraser sit in water for about 30mins. That'll let the backing to the sandpaper get soft.

Then just sand the spot you touched up with the pencil eraser until it is level. I did this and tried to remove the sanding marks by hand but I couldn't. I had to use a rotary buffer. You'll probably have to do the same. I wouldn't try any harsh rubbing compounds for taking out sandpaper marks. 3M's Swirl mark Remover or Meguiars #9 should take the marks right out and leave your paint with a bright shine.

I have tried Eagle One Scratch Remover and Meguiars Scratch X on sandpaper marks before with no success. It takes a buffer and a polish.

(End Exceprt)

That's Intel's take on the matter however; I have found that you do not need a buffer. I use, and have used, Meguiars #9 with nothing but great success. It will take SEVERAL applications however.

A few hints...

1. You're going to scare the hell out of yourself if you've never wet sanded your truck before. It's going to scuff the hell out of that one little spot but, don't be worried. As long as you're not pressing down with a vengence and just letting the sand paper do the work, you're going to be okay. I tell you this because I was terrified after I sanded my touch up spots. The #9 will take the scuffs out however; you will have to use multiple applications and follow the directions on the bottle (rub it in until it's begining to dry etc...)

2. Be ultra patient. Don't get in a hurry. If you have a deeper chip, apply multiple coats of paint such that you can build the gash/chip up to the current surface of the paint.

3. Be patient.

4. Be patient a little more.

5. Email me if you have additional questions/comments/concerns/dirty jokes/hot chick pictures/free goodies/etc.

kingranch@hotmail.com

RP

 

That's why RP is The Man!

I've got a pencil eraser sized battle wound from my recent trip to 'da beach and will give this technique a try. Thanks RP and Intel for the informative posts.

 

See I told ya!!!

 

Yanno, RockPick reminds me of that guy from Mr Deeds...."I am very sneaky, let me touch your feet" everywhere you go you see RP

 

Would you like to rub my feet?

 

I've found GS-27 Scratch Remover to remove excess touch-up paint, even a spot of such which I dripped and didn't notice until months later...

 

Just out of interest, can you see the lack of clear coat over the chip, compared to the surrounding area?

 

SuperCabV8, I would have to say that Ford touch-up paint has pretty much been all CRAP. I bought some and it ended up not matching at all, not even coming close, and I had the dealership make me some paint that matched. Good Luck with RP's advice, it's usually always good


Joe

 

It's usually always good?

I've got your address Joey... don't make me come down there and kick your KROC Membership ID packing ***. LOL!


And further, I disagree. The FOMOCO touch up paint isn't all crap. My Chestnut (Autum Brown) & Arizona Beige touch up paint is a PERFECT match.

 

Man- I shouldda asked you guys that a year ago.

My wife had a disagreement with the garage door (Didn't pull in far enough) and the hinges on the door put 4-lovely scratches right down the tailgate. I went and got Arizona Beige touch-up paint- and the barely noticeable scratches, are now full fledged eye-sores....

I went to the stealership to see about having it redone. $475 to remove the tailgate & badges, sand out the scratches (and excess touchup paint) and reinstall.

Then again- that was last year- it's probably $600.00 this year.