Touching Up A Few (Small/Large) Scrapes On Car?

[tlf67482]

Someone must have caught it and I hadn't noticed so no idea on when it happened but it must have been a bit ago as it is rusty coloured now. It has annoyingly caught multiple panels in multiple places.

I would like to protect them the best I can and I am not that concerned about getting a perfect finish and the dents can just be left where the paint hasn't split.

It is an oldish car that I am not planning on selling - it will probably be my last car.

Some of the areas are quite large where the paint has flaked off so multiple touch up pens is probably not the answer.

I can't remember exactly but it is a fancy metallic type of finish.

A perfect finish it not what I after I just want to protect and stop it from going rusty.

If I wanted to mask off and spray what would the procedure be regarding preparation, rust prevention, undercoat, paint and protection?

Is "sandpaper" affected areas, rust prevent and then going to a paint specialist and getting primer, colour match spray paint in aerosol and lacquer enough?

Thanks

[redsturgeon]

This a a tough one. With multiple panel affected it may not be easy. There is a big difference between a scratch caused by a key and one which has created denting though.

I would suggest watching a few youtube videos to get an idea of the process but what you describe is about right.

The big problem with metallic finishes is trying to blend into the existing paint which takes practice

I would suggest also getting a free quote from someone like ChipsAway just to give you an idea of how much a professional would cost.

[quelquod]

ChipsAway at that sort of level might give you a shock especially for an older car. The procedure you outlined is about right and I’ve had excellent results with spray cans from online retailers (get the largest size) using the car paint code. Since you say the car’s elderly you might get quite a poor colour match though and for sure you would need to spray to a clear boundary such as a whole panel. If you’re talking several panels this is getting quite a job for an amateur with a fair bit of rubbing down and wet’n’dry and I’d maybe ask around a couple of smaller garages for advice on a ‘second tier’ paint shop.

[bungeejumper]

Agree with quelquod, really. I've done a fair number of these small(ish) jobs over the years, on various semi-ratty vehicles, and they always take a lot longer than you think. It's not that the various stages are hard - rather, it's that you'll never know whether each stage is perfect enough until you've already applied the next coat, dammit.

First off, whatever size job you decide on, is to dig out whatever rust you can see and get some Kurust into the affected areas. It'll neutralise any rust and should be ready for a dab of primer after 12 hours or so. Do mask it off carefully, because a teacup-sized sprayed area with a can has a habit of turning into a dinner plate if you let it drift.

([Edit:] Oh yeah, you did remember to remove all the polish from the panel before you sprayed, didn't you?)

Any sprayed layer needs to be done in at least five or six very light passes, 15 minutes apart, and this requires self-discipline. We've all rushed it and had a drip develop, and it's always sad to see a grown man cry.

Before you apply the lacquer coat, don't rub down the final coat of paint. It rips all the shiny metallic particles out of the paint, and you'll end up with a darker colour that looks stupid. Hold your nerve and have faith, and the lacquer will work its magic.

Alternatively, just sigh and do what you can. The advantage of having a visibly dinged car is that everybody gives you a bit more space in the car park.

BJ

[didds]

and perhaps an overly pragmatic approach...

IF its to be your last car and you aren't THAT concerned about its looks - and maybe it has no real intrinsic sell-on value than are you really that bothered about what it looks like? Compared to just making sure the rust doesn't grow/come back and best protecting what is there? In which case perfect colour/metallic matches aren't important to you, and drips are equally "whatever"

Your call totally of course