So I’ve just bought some touch up paint for my mk2 in twighlight blue. I’ve opened up the pack and the instructions are a set of images that aren’t making a huge amount of sense to me. Has anyone done this before and can offer up some tips on the best way to go about this?
Thanks in advance.
I presume you’ve bought this from a dealer? Most auto shops don’t cater for specific Mazda colours, so that’s why I presume this. I bought a dealer pack of crystal blue for mine, which is tiny for any major work - not cheap either. I used it to cover up a scratch on the N/S rear wing, but it doesn’t do it very well - a spray can would be better. Colour comes with a tiny brush, which doesn’t help, and the other tube is the same - it contains lacquer, a finish off coat. As you say instructions are virtually useless, so I used used common sense, but wish for a better job.
Anyone can ‘blend’ colour with existing paint by using a spray can, not so easy with a brush - which is B useless. Other point is the older the car, colour matching becomes virtually impossible , as you are using new paint against old faded colour.
Before I bought the paint from my dealer, I tried colour matching from what Halfords had on display, and nothing comes close, despite what seemed similar. Closest IIRC was a BMW colour, but not in crystal blue.
I guess it all depends on how big an area that you are trying to touch up.
For real small stone chips, don’t use a brush, but use a cocktail stick.
Flatten the point ever so slightly, they work a treat, and are much more precise.
Another tip i was given was to never use the paint as it is in the pot, ‘Water it down’ a little with a tiny bit of spirits for easier and smoother application. Seemed to help for me along with the cotton bud trick
I did a little ‘how to’ with pics but something went wrong, not with the paint but the uploading. I’ll have another try later.
If you can find the colour code for your car you can get the proper colour made up at a vehicle paint supplier - in an aerosol if you prefer. As a new owner I don’t know where the colour code is on the car (usually three letters) but someone on here is bound to!
I had my bonnet painted 2 months ago and i told the paint shop the colour and paint code, paint arrived and the sprayer stopped as the colour was way off, he rang the paint supplier who came down and did a swatch test which turned out to be an Alfa Romeo colour.
Get your paint supplier to colour match, don’t rely on what it says on the tin.
I’ve bought one too - mazda touch up paint. The instructions involve dabbing the chip then running the head of the touch up bottle under the tap and then going over the area again - I think.
I might just dab it in the chip and then when dry add the clear coat.
Further to earlier, the paint code is on the inside of the near side door mirror shell. Apparently it prises off. Google tap in ‘Mazda paint codes’. The right code is the best and most accurate way of getting the right colour - but have regard to ageing. Don’t use the generic name like ‘red’ or ‘blue’ but the factory designated one. For one thing, you might not be aware if the car has been repainted before! That should be enough for minor scratches/blemishes without worrying too much about matching up. For major work such as a panel always use a pro painter.
From my earlier post this is what I do if it’s large noticeable area that’s needs more than a touch in. Below is what I did to some lacquer peel on my Mk3, adding colour and lacquer finish is much the same.
So no colour involved just lacquer I cleaned the area with some spirit making sure I had removed any loose lacquer, I applied lacquer to the area affected, the area was around 2cm long
After applying 2 coats of lacquer with a fine artist brush I let it dry for 24 hrs. I then sanded the area with super fine 1500 paper (wet) this is where care is needed, don’t overdue it.
Once I was happy I then polished the hell out of it using some Autoglym scratch remover paste and then Autoglym super resin polish. Again take care with the scratch remover stuff, or you can just use the super resin, finish with wax once happy you have a nice finish.
It’s not a perfect finish but better than looking at lacquer peel, in fact it was hard to find the area again to take the final pic, you can if you look hard enough but there’s more reflection off other stuff too.
Same applies if adding paint and lacquer afterwards, just go easy with the sanding part, the paint’s not great on Mazdas. I realise folks won’t have all this to stuff to do what I’ve done, then just apply the paint and lacquer but use an artist brush or as suggested in the above posts rather than the supplied brush in the touch in kits.
