Pro Tips & FAQs

Higher quality gravity paint guns like SATA, IWATA, or Walcom, and 3M guns require a compressor with a minimum of 5HP and a 60-gallon tank. Make sure to check the sticker on the electric motor to ensure it's truly a 5HP compressor, as some may be labeled as such but only have 3HP, which won't be enough for the job.

Yes, we do offer touch-up paint for car interiors, wheels, and bumpers. However, please note that our selection for wheel and interior colors may be limited, and finding the exact color code can be challenging. We recommend contacting us via email first to check for availability and feasibility. Some wheels are painted while others are powder-coated, and domestic wheel colors are often available in manufacturers' color books. Bumper colors typically match the body paint of the car. Our urethane basecoat is designed to be flexible and suitable for plastic bumpers. In cases where the bumper color differs from the body color (such as a black car with a silver bumper), we treat it as a two-tone vehicle. Please provide us with the factory color code and indicate that your vehicle has a two-tone scheme, specifying the correct color for your car. During the checkout process, there is an additional comments box where you can provide this information, or you can email us separately.

Tri-stage paint refers to a painting technique used by car manufacturers. Initially, the vehicle is painted with a base color known as the groundcoat. Afterward, a very transparent color with a higher density pearl is applied over the groundcoat. This process creates a unique and distinct effect on the vehicle's appearance. In some cases, a two-stage formula may be available, which is simpler to apply. However, if a two-stage formula is not available for your specific color, we will contact you to discuss the option of purchasing an additional can to ensure a proper match for your desired finish.

It is recommended to remove wax before touching up your car's paint. Wax, silicone, and oils can potentially cause fisheye issues during the touch-up process. To ensure a clean surface for the touch-up, use a prep solvent specifically designed to chemically remove these contaminants. Alternatively, you can use a liquid dish soap like Ivory or Joy, which effectively removes most paint contamination problems. However, it's important to note that regular car soap often contains car wax, so it should not be used for this purpose. After completing the touch-up, it is advisable to wait at least one month before applying wax to freshly painted areas to allow proper curing of the paint.

Car manufacturers utilize paint codes to identify the specific paint color of vehicles. While the exact location of the paint code can vary depending on the make and model, there are several common places where the paint code can be found along with other vehicle information, including:

• Door Jambs: Check the driver's side or passenger's side door jamb.
• Firewall: Look on the firewall, which is the metal panel between the engine compartment and the interior of the vehicle.
• Engine Bay: Inspect various components in the engine bay, such as the radiator support or fender wells.
• Trunk Lid or Spare Tire Well: Lift the trunk lid and examine the underside.
• Owner's Manual: Some manufacturers include the paint code information in the manual.

Please note that the specific location of the paint code can vary even within the same make and model, so it is advisable to check multiple potential areas. If you are having difficulty locating the paint code, you can also consult a dealership or contact the vehicle manufacturer directly for assistance.

To order touch-up paint for your car by color name, please provide us with the following information: the color name, year, make, and model of your car. With this information, we can provide you with examples of paint codes to look for. It is essential for us to verify the color code before shipping in order to qualify for our color match guarantee.

Car manufacturers often have a single color with multiple names for it. For example, Toyota and Lexus may share colors and color codes but have different names for them. Similarly, GM brands, Honda and Acura, Ford and its family of cars also have variations in color names. Additionally, there are instances where different car manufacturers share color codes, such as Isuzu with Honda, Nissan with Ford, Ford with Mazda, and so on.

Let's take the color black as an example. There are numerous names for black, including ebony, jet black, onyx, super jet black, black onyx, and more. Blacks can also have metallic or pearl finishes, with the pearl itself being of different colors like blue-black or brown-black. The possibilities are vast, which is why color codes play a crucial role. This applies to all colors, including red, blue, green, silver, and countless others.

By providing us with accurate color information, we can ensure that you receive the correct touch-up paint for your car.

Blending refers to the process of seamlessly merging two similar colors to create the illusion of a smooth transition. It involves making a line between the colors disappear. To understand blending, consider a white piece of paper and black paint. If you were to stop painting in the center, you would observe a gray area where the black and white merge. In the case of automotive basecoat, this process requires several coats to achieve the desired effect. The clear coat is then applied over the entire surface to create a more uniform appearance, ensuring that the blended colors seamlessly merge without any visible lines.

Clear coat is an essential component of the touch-up paint system. While base coat provides the color, it is a dull and flat paint. The clear coat is what gives the paint a glossy and polished finish, matching the rest of your vehicle's appearance. Beyond aesthetics, the clear coat also serves important protective functions. It acts as a shield against friction, weather conditions, and chemical exposure, while also providing resistance against chipping and fading.

Using nail polish as a substitute for clear coat is not recommended by Bill’s Auto Paint.  While it may initially provide a similar glossy effect, nail polish is not specifically formulated for automotive use and lacks the durability and longevity of a proper clear coat. Nail polish tends to fade and chip after approximately one month of application, whereas the Automotivetouchup.com touch-up paint system is designed and tested to last for years, ensuring a high-quality and long-lasting finish for your vehicle.

If you have received two bottles of touch-up paint labeled as "groundcoat" and "midcoat," it indicates that your vehicle's color requires a multiple coat system for accurate replication.

To properly apply the touch-up paint, you need to follow a specific process. Begin by applying the groundcoat, which is the first layer of paint. Allow it to dry according to the instructions provided. Once the groundcoat has dried, you can proceed to apply the midcoat over the groundcoat. This step completes the multiple coat system and helps achieve an accurate color match.

Typically, sanding between coats is not necessary when applying touch-up paint. However, there are a few exceptions to this general rule.
If you accidentally get a speck of dirt or any other foreign particle in the paint during application, it's best to let the paint dry completely and then carefully sand out the imperfection before applying additional coats. This will help ensure a smooth and flawless finish.

Additionally, if you encounter issues such as runs or excessive texture in your touch-up repair job, you may need to sand the affected area between coats to correct these problems. By sanding gently and using the appropriate sandpaper grit, you can address these issues and achieve a better result.

Single action airbrushing involves immediate paint release when the trigger is depressed, providing a simpler operation but limited control over paint flow. In contrast, double action airbrushing follows a two-step process where initial trigger depression activates airflow control, and pulling back on the trigger adjusts paint flow, offering greater precision and versatility in creating detailed artwork. Double action airbrushes are preferred for artists seeking more control and flexibility in their airbrushing techniques.

In general, you can use a wide variety of paints and media in your airbrush, as long as they can be appropriately thinned to a consistency similar to that of milk. This allows for smooth spraying and optimal performance. For beginners, it may be beneficial to use ready-to-spray airbrush paints or pre-reduced paints, as achieving the correct paint consistency can be a challenging task. These pre-mixed options simplify the process and ensure compatibility with your airbrush.

• Slow, medium and fast refer to the type of reducer required depending on the temperature where you are painting your car.

• FAST: 55 degrees - 70 degrees

• MEDIUM: 70 degrees – 85 degrees

• SLOW: 85 degrees to 95 degrees

• Anything over 95 degrees you should use a retarder.