At Home Kits to Repair Scratches

[doublel]

An article in today's Wall Street Journal compared a few products. There winner was Dr. ColorChip Custom Auto Touch-Up Paint Kit.

Here's all the products they looked at.

Dr. ColorChip fool-proof auto touch up paint kit for chip repair on your car- BMW,Ford,Honda,Mercedes,Porsche,Lexus,Toyota- all color codes

LANGKA Paint Chip and Scratch Repair

PaintScratch Touch-Up Paint (rs), Spray Cans, Spray Paint, Paint Pens, Car Paint, Automotive Paint

Quixx USA » QUIXX

Simoniz – Fix It Scratch Remover – Car and Home Scratch Removal

[Beemerboy]

Thanks for the links but I have never found any chip repair kits to work, that I was happy with the results...seems that most don't match the color, if the paint as metallic its even worse...if its one or two chip holes it can be OK, but if its a lot from miles of road chips then I think that repaint is in order IMO

[Stephan]

I have tried one of the chip repair kits, mainly because I was desperate to try anything....Its very similar to the one the won, but a different name, but same process. The process is basically clean the area with an alcohol solution, apply the paint to a special paper type applcator, rub it on, let it dry then use their special paint remover (a mild polish) to remove it. I tried it, it became a mess.

Dave is right, one or two chips is one thing, road rash requires a repaint, hence why I am brining the murano in...

Oh and that simonize thing is a joke...I love how they say at the begining it removes scratches and dings? Then is tells you to use their power buffer, which looks like it was made my the playdough corporation and runs on a AA battery.

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by Stephan

I have tried one of the chip repair kits, mainly because I was desperate to try anything....Its very similar to the one the won, but a different name, but same process. The process is basically clean the area with an alcohol solution, apply the paint to a special paper type applcator, rub it on, let it dry then use their special paint remover (a mild polish) to remove it. I tried it, it became a mess.

Dave is right, one or two chips is one thing, road rash requires a repaint, hence why I am brining the murano in...

Oh and that simonize thing is a joke...I love how they say at the begining it removes scratches and dings? Then is tells you to use their power buffer, which looks like it was made my the playdough corporation and runs on a AA battery.

For the one and two rock chips I get the factory touch up paint...some 3000 grit sand paper, halogen light and some artist paint brushes...buildup the chip til it rises above the cars paint level then, sand it down, and finish up with the rotary and some PB PP...that seems to be about the best for me...I understand why they make these kits for those that do not have the experience and don't know what to buy...its like the kits that most car care mfger have for there products

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[CharlesW]

I have used the Langka kit, (Also sold under the Mother's label), with mixed results.
Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with large areas, just the occasional rock chip.
I used it with touchup paint from the dealer and I have no idea who actually supplies them.
Quite few application tools are available and while I like the camel hair artist brushes, they are difficult for me to keep usable. I have pretty much settled on what is almost a miniature "Q" Tip made by Microbrush and can be purchased at some auto body supply stores. The best thing about them is that they are cheap enough to use and throw away.
One good thing about the Langka, you can remove all the touchup paint without messing up the vehicle paint. If you screwup, just remove everything and try again.
One tip that you may already know. The touchup paint will shrink as it dries. It might take a couple of weeks to build up a chip to the level is should be before trying to finish the job. I let each application of touchup paint cure for a week before either adding more or trying to level it.
Like I said, I have had mixed results and have had to do several areas over.

I also use a tool that has fiberglass strands in a pen shaped handle to prep the area I'm working on.

[pogo123]

Originally Posted by CharlesW

I have used the Langka kit, (Also sold under the Mother's label), with mixed results.
Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with large areas, just the occasional rock chip.
I used it with touchup paint from the dealer and I have no idea who actually supplies them.
Quite few application tools are available and while I like the camel hair artist brushes, they are difficult for me to keep usable. I have pretty much settled on what is almost a miniature "Q" Tip made by Microbrush and can be purchased at some auto body supply stores. The best thing about them is that they are cheap enough to use and throw away.
One good thing about the Langka, you can remove all the touchup paint without messing up the vehicle paint. If you screwup, just remove everything and try again.
One tip that you may already know. The touchup paint will shrink as it dries. It might take a couple of weeks to build up a chip to the level is should be before trying to finish the job. I let each application of touchup paint cure for a week before either adding more or trying to level it.
Like I said, I have had mixed results and have had to do several areas over.

I also use a tool that has fiberglass strands in a pen shaped handle to prep the area I'm working on.

I use one of those also and it really helps. Mine is made by 3M and looks like this:


I got mine at Walmart and I use it all the time.

[sontakke]

I have recently tried Quixx kit and I am impressed with it. It takes off minor scratches very easily. For major scratches one has to use the touch-up paint and then wet sand it. The kit contains the very fine polish paper.

My van had lots of scratches where the paint was broken. I had applied touch-up paint to it a while ago and left it that. I used to look very bad but at least it was protecting the paint from the rusting. I used agressive sandpaper to wet sand the touch-up paint and then followed the Quixx system and it worked surprisingly well.

In terms of the finish polish, it gives excellent gloss. Even comparing with Meguiars #105 or 3M Perfect-It Foam Polishing Pad Glaze, Quixx seems to leave the best finish.

Given that the vehicle is pretty much beat, I was not too worried about trying to wet-sand it. If you have more prized possesion, I can certainly understand reluctance to try wet-sanding. But even if you do not want to use wet-sanding, Quixx tubes do help getting rid of minor scratches and give a great final finish ready for LSP.

I am tempted to try other Quixx product as long as I can pick them up locally. I am mostly Duragloss user but their polishes are not as good as 3M or Meguiars as far as minor paint correction is concerned. I do not have Porter Cable, so I am limited to hand applied products. As far as my experience is concerned, Quixx is recommended.

- Vikas