In a previous post, we gave some handy tips on how to seamlessly use a touch-up paint pen. But are you looking to level up your touch-up game? In this blog, we’ll provide expert tips for a flawless finish every single time. Keep reading to learn how to use a car paint pen like a professional!
1. Assessing the Scratch
Before reaching for your car paint pen, experts recommend an essential first step: determine if your scratch actually needs repainting. Touch-up pens are only useful on deep scratches that have penetrated your clear coat and colour. Here are some easy ways to tell if you have a superficial or deep scratch:
- Fingernail Test: Lightly run your fingernail across the scratch. If you can’t feel it, it’s likely superficial and can be buffed out with a polish instead of paint.
- Colour Depth Test: If you can’t see the white primer or metal beneath your car’s colour (e.g., red, blue, etc.), the scratch is probably only in the clear coat and can be polished out.
- Alcohol Test: As a final measure, wipe your scratch with alcohol—if it disappears temporarily, it’s only a clear coat scratch.
2. Pro-Level Prep
Dealing with a large area? Ensure you dedicate time to cleaning, sanding, and prepping your materials. We recommend:
- Thoroughly cleaning the area to remove any rust or debris
- Sanding the scratch to even out jagged edges. This will make paint application and smoothing a lot easier. If you run your finger along the sanded area and can still feel the edge, keep sanding until it is smooth.
- Wiping excess paint off the tip of your paint pen before applying to prevent blobs or thick application.
3. Advanced Application Tips
When using a car paint pen, try following these simple steps for expert application:
- Tape off your scratch to make clean up easier.
- Use several light coats instead of one thick layer. This is especially important for tri-stage white or metallic colours, which require careful application.
- If using the brush tip, use even and uniform brush strokes in a single direction. To avoid lifting previous coats, you can also try using a dabbing motion instead of swiping.
- Don’t backtrack and disturb the paint before it dries.
- For extremely fine scratches or chips, try using a toothpick or fine-tip paintbrush for ultimate precision.
- Make sure your new paint is thicker than the surrounding paint. A slight overfill allows for easier sanding.
- Worried about the colour match? Wait until your paint has fully dried and the clear coat is applied before assessing the match. Many paints darken or change slightly as they cure.
4. Final Touches
Once you’ve applied your paint, it’s time for sanding, clear coat, and more sanding. Use a small sanding block to sand down the domed paint layer, then examine your scratch to ensure everything is correctly filled with paint. If needed, go back and touch up any areas where the application was incorrect. Once the paint and clear coat have cured, use progressively finer wet sandpaper to level the repair. Finish with a high-quality polish to blend the repair seamlessly with the surrounding paint.
Elevate Your Touch-Up Game with Central Alberta Paint & Supplies for Car Paint Pen
Ready to revitalize your paint job? Even the most skilled DIY enthusiast needs quality products and expert guidance to achieve flawless results. That’s where CAPS comes in. For over 60 years, Central Alberta Paint & Supplies (CAPS) has been Western Canada’s trusted source for automotive paint, supplies, and parts. With locations in Red Deer and Edmonton, we offer everything you need to execute professional-grade repairs, including expert colour matching, professional-grade products, and transparent pricing. Contact us today!