PaintScratch Touch Up Paint  ›  Scratches and Chips  ›  Pen or Brush?...rubbing compound?
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edwardmrichards
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Posted by: edwardmrichards Posted on: September 21st, 2004, 5:47pm

Hi:

I'm just about to order some touch up paint from you, but I can't decide if I want to use the .5 oz. pen or the 1 oz. brush. I'm just repairing small-medium sized chips (most much smaller than a pencil eraser, but some a bit larger) and small scratches. Some of the chips resemble "fish eyes" and although they are very small, the metal is showing through (I'm not sure if this makes a difference).

I heard that sometimes it is better to use a brush because you can "blob" the paint on, and this makes it easier to bled the paint with a rubbing compund. Is this true, or can the same be true for the pen?

I also have a question about your rubbing compound. I almost bought this product called "Langka" which sounds like it does the same thing as your rubbing compound (is this true?). Your rubbing compund is much cheaper, so I would rather buy it than this expensive "Langka." Could you explain a little bit about the process of using the rubbing compound or "Langka?" I believe that it acts a little like a fine sandpaper?

Anyway, my main question is regarding if I should use the brush or the pen when I am planning on using some sort of rubbing compund. Which would be better? Also, do I use the compund on the primer, basecoat and clearcoat, or just the basecoat? Thank you so much.

Ed 

Posted by: CPaintCars (Guest) Posted on: September 22nd, 2004, 7:49pm
Reply: 1

First of all, if it is a metalic color the brush or pen will not work as well as you want it too because of something called "Modeling".  This means that when metalic paint is applyed in a NON-spray way the bits of aluminum that give it that sparkle settle to the bottom and make the paint darker than it really is by blocking light from reflecting back.

If you spray it on however this will not happen unless you apply too heavy of a coat of paint. 

If you have a solid color..."filling" the scratch or chip with paint that you have built up in it makes the paint too thick in that area and a risk to cracking as your car expands and contracts with heat and cold.

Explaining why "as seen on TV" products like Langka and other "paintless" repair systems do not work would take a little explaining.  But think of it this way.....if it was so easy, inexpensive, effective, and quick every bodyshop in America would be using them.  I have yet to see a shop that would ever touch the stuff.  The only reason it sells is because the consumer does not know any better.

The best way to repair any scratch or chip is by sanding and re-painting.  This actually removes the scratch/chip rather than hide it. 

If you need any more help you can e-mail me at CPaintCars.com

Posted by: edwardmrichards Posted on: September 22nd, 2004, 9:53pm
Reply: 2

The small chips I am repairing are probably not worth sanding and repainting. They're so minute that I don't want to put that much trouble into them. For this job, do you think the pen would be better or the brush. Also, now that I know not to buy the "Langka" product, should I still plan on using painntscratch's rubbing compound? Thanks for your help.
Ed

Posted by: edwardmrichards Posted on: September 24th, 2004, 4:17am
Reply: 3

Anyone from paintscratch.com have an opinion? Thanks.

Posted by: admin Posted on: October 8th, 2004, 7:15am
Reply: 4

The paint pen is the way to go on small scratches and chips. Langka is just thickened paint thinner (if you use too much, it takes all the paint off...of course!). We do not recommend it at all.

Just follow our directions at:
https://www.paintscratch.com/touch-up-paint-directions/
Also, read our section at: https://www.paintscratch.com/whatorder.htm as this has more discussions on what to order.

CPaintCars is right about the metallic flakes settling and even when metallics are sprayed at different pressures, temperatures, etc., they can lay differently. However, for small paint chips and scratches, you won't really notice it unless you are really looking for it.

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