Now that you've read the instructions for general use, we
have a few tips.
Make sure the surface area is CLEAN and
DRY!
Do not forget the clear coat.
Make sure coats are completely dry before reapplying.
Give the art of blending color a try. It tends to
work better that way. That's how body shops do it.
Sometimes a little rubbing compound can lighten up
the scratch. General rule: if you can feel the scratch with your fingernail it
won't come out with compound. Sometimes if it is only a light clear coat
scratch, you can get away with cleaning inside the scratch and applying only
clear coat. This trick works for us sometimes on light
colors and light silvers.
Bug Marks. In Louisiana and many other states we
have bug problems. When driving down the interstate bugs tend to splatter on the
hood and other spots on your vehicle. Our prep solvent
will eat off bug residue. Certain bugs contain an acid of some kind and can
slowly eat away at your paint finish in little specks. Once this happens there
is no special cure; it then needs to be touched up or you can expect rust to
follow. Black or colored wax with the little chip stick comes off in the
first wash if the rain hasn't gotten to it first. We have worked at a solution
for this and realized that applying paint and then coming back and lightly
wiping it with a solvent tends to work the best. This trick works great on
stubborn black cars.
I always use primer when bare metal or plastic is
exposed. It is designed for optimal adhesion.
If metal is exposed you don't want rust to haunt you
later. Touching up a car is great for the reduction of rust later.
For a really small application try using a toothpick.
Spray Paint Cans
Do not avoid the directions section.
You may want to read over right before application. No one wants to paint their
car twice. We promise it is much easier the first time.
Spray the test panel first with both
base coat color and clear coat using even coats. This lets you see exactly what
the paint will look like. It makes great practice. It will let you know exactly
distance, speed, and steadiness. A test panel can be made from anything paper
with gloss (glossy paper is less likely to absorb the solvent that allows the
metallic to flow) or metal and taped to a paint stick. We often provide you with
one whenever possible.
Every coat should overlap the one before by
one half. Start at the beginning pass, if it is near the tape line, then the
center of the spray should be on the tape line. The next pass should be spraying
the edge of the tape line and inches away from it. Nice even overlapping coats.
Not too heavy because this may cause tiger striping, and not to light for
splotches. It's almost like cutting grass with the exception of overlapping.
Auto paint can not be used on
humid days, at night, or when rain has been present. It can make the paint
and clear coat blush. Sometimes you can heat it with a hairdryer and that may
bring back the gloss. This is an old body shop trick that can work if the paint
has not dried.
Be aware of overspray. It can be
difficult to remove with compound and a high speed buffer. Also overspray clay
may be available at a parts store. Overspray can be removed from glass with 000
or 0000 steel wool.
When mask taping hold one piece down on the
surface, pull out tape 1-2 feet long with the other hand and use a light pulling
pressure to guide it. Then press down. This is easier than inches at a time and
goes on much straighter and cleaner too. A premium tape will not leave a tape
residue behind, less expensive tape will. If tape is left on too long it may
be difficult to remove the residue. This only gets worse when wet and left in
the sun to dry.
When using a tack rag, unfold it and
open it up all the way, then lightly crumple it up. This
gently grabs more dirt and dust.
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