Hi,
Looking for advice for the best place to source some touch up paint for a couple of minor scratches on my '86 944. Its Guards red ( i believe!). The colour code on the label in the boot says LM3A/LM3A.
Looking around the various sites - most of which which offer "guaranteed matches" - I don't seem to be able to find, with confidence, what I'm looking for. I'm assuming that OPC's wont be able to help with paint for cars that old (or am I wrong?). Suggestions for where/how to source some touch up paint would be much appreciated.
Regards, John
Touch up paint advice
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tr7v8
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Re: Touch up paint advice
As someone who has done a fair bit of paint in the past, you'll have an issue with any touch up pant. As it will be to the original mix, whereas yours will have faded over the years.
Best bet is to find a local car paint specialist & get them to do a mix to your cars CURRENT colour. You can find them on an online search, they'll be tucked away on an industrial estate somewhere. Try & get there when they are quieter & they'll help you. Although most are wholesale only most are quite happy to help if asked.
The other option is to talk to a local paint & body shop. Bigger ones have paint mixing facilities for exactly this.
When you get the paint, mix it well & then clean the chip or scratch & feather the edges with 800-1000 wet n dry. Wipe clean with some paint thinner. Then use a cocktail stick NOT a brush put spots of paint into the chip. Don't go mad, small spots, regularly placed is what you want. Allow to harden 2-3 days minimum. Then Using 1000-1500 wet n dry, wet with a dribble of washing up liquid in the water, rub the chip down. The idea is the paint you've applied needs to be the same level as the rest of the paint. Once it is go to 2500-3000 wet n dry until very smooth. Then use a light cutting paste, I use Autoglym Super resin polish go over the area. Once you're happy give it a coat of wax to seal it.
Guards red is notorious for oxidising hence the joke comment which is true of guards pink! The only way to truly fix that is a respray, although sometimes cutting it with a polisher & a fairly aggressive paste from 3M or Farecla will make it look better temporarily.
Best bet is to find a local car paint specialist & get them to do a mix to your cars CURRENT colour. You can find them on an online search, they'll be tucked away on an industrial estate somewhere. Try & get there when they are quieter & they'll help you. Although most are wholesale only most are quite happy to help if asked.
The other option is to talk to a local paint & body shop. Bigger ones have paint mixing facilities for exactly this.
When you get the paint, mix it well & then clean the chip or scratch & feather the edges with 800-1000 wet n dry. Wipe clean with some paint thinner. Then use a cocktail stick NOT a brush put spots of paint into the chip. Don't go mad, small spots, regularly placed is what you want. Allow to harden 2-3 days minimum. Then Using 1000-1500 wet n dry, wet with a dribble of washing up liquid in the water, rub the chip down. The idea is the paint you've applied needs to be the same level as the rest of the paint. Once it is go to 2500-3000 wet n dry until very smooth. Then use a light cutting paste, I use Autoglym Super resin polish go over the area. Once you're happy give it a coat of wax to seal it.
Guards red is notorious for oxidising hence the joke comment which is true of guards pink! The only way to truly fix that is a respray, although sometimes cutting it with a polisher & a fairly aggressive paste from 3M or Farecla will make it look better temporarily.
Jim
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http://tipec.net/region_southeastlondon.php
2019 Abarth 595C
2018 MGS5 Trophy
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SOLD
2005 Porsche Cayenne S SOLD
2000 Jeep GC SOLD
2010 Mazda MX5 Mk3.5 SOLD
2000 Porsche Boxster S SOLD
1987 Porsche 944 SOLD
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jillcotjohn
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Re: Touch up paint advice
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the very comprehensive advice. I do have some fading on the front panels (am beginning to wonder if its had a front end respray) which I am planning to have a go at with Mequiars ultimate compound. But it sounds like I'm going to have to go for a re-spray eventually
Thanks for the very comprehensive advice. I do have some fading on the front panels (am beginning to wonder if its had a front end respray) which I am planning to have a go at with Mequiars ultimate compound. But it sounds like I'm going to have to go for a re-spray eventually