Thoughts on touch-up paint

[vettin1]

Anyone use or would recommend a touch-up paint system? Also, where to go to find a color match, either online or anywhere else. Auto stores don't carry anything for an '85 anymore (the guy actually laughed, he said I should get a new car ad ).

Thanx in advance for the input!

 

[NevadaJim]

A touch up job is as good as the 'painter'. I'm a pretty decent mechanic and have restored a couple Vettes and other cars, but always leave the body and paint work to the experts ('a man has to know his limitations' ). So, I stay away from the touch up paint systems. But, I've seen people who have the 'knack' use them with outstanding results. You really had to look to see where they touched up, if you could find it at all.

As far as color match, this might be one time you have to go to your local dealer.

 

[Rabbit]

Try autovisuals.com

 

[JonM]

I haven't seen this topic in a while...

http://www.paintscratch.com/

http://www.touchupautopaints.com/

This site is down...(i'm surprised) but keep trying it
http://www.langka.com/

 

[WNH]

I bought a bottle of touch-up from a 'well known' Corvette Parts supplier, and the match wasn't even close. [charcoal metalic].

I just tried paintscratch.com [above], their color doesn't seem to match either.

 

[BRZMAN]

take off the gas cover and bring it to a reputable auto paint store. they can computerize it and come up with as close to possible. that is if your car is a repaint. otherwise the vin # should do it.

 

[NevadaJim]

I bought a bottle of touch-up from a 'well known' Corvette Parts supplier, and the match wasn't even close. [charcoal metalic].

I just tried paintscratch.com [above], their color doesn't seem to match either.

The problem with touch up paints is that regardless of color code, every batch of paint is every so slightly different. Combine this with the fact that the elements (sun, rain, waxes, etc.) and age also change the paint color/shade, it is more likely then not that the new touchup paint will not match the paint on most cars with the same paint code.

When my brother touched up my mom's 12 year old IROC, I drove the car over to a local custom paint shop and got them to mix up a 1/2 pint of 'touch up' paint for him. The color matched exactly and you have to get up real close and personal to see where he touched up (he's the 'artist', I'm the mechanic)

 

[c4cruiser]

The Code 53 Gold Metallic is not an easy color to match. Mid-America and Corvette America have the small bottles of touch-up paint but the one I bought for my gold 87 is not a good match at all.

Do you have an auto paint supply store in your area that can make spray cans?? They should be able to do a match for you if you give the color code.
Some paint shops will even have a computer color scaning system like Home Depot has and you can take them a painted part like the gill panel and they can match from that.

 

[c4cruiser]

BRZMAN, the gas lid is a good suggestion too, but the VIN will not have any sort of information in it to indicate paint colors or car options. The RPO sticker which is found either on the underside of the center console lid or on the underside of the rear storage compartment will have the original paint code at the bottom of the sticker as well as all of the RPO codes indicating the options and equipment installed on the car from the factory.

 

[talonsecurity]

Try this link:
http://www.ultimatetouchup.com/view.html?mgiToken=JOH9AL31EH1DHR3PL

 

[WNH]

OK, say I take the gas lid to Home Depot-or similar store- and ask them to match it.
What type of base paint should I mix????

 

[c4cruiser]

You need to go to an automotive paint supplier. Home Depot and home-improvement type stores don't deal with auto paints.