Stephen111

For my 2010 A3 I purchased touch up paint at an auto store, which carries paint. It costs $15 for a bottle and $27 for a spray can. In Ottawa I have dealt with Hosie & Brown (613) 741-5006 and Max Auto (613) 741-5115.

You need to give the store your paint code, which is on your vehicle purchase agreement. It takes a couple of hours to mix the paint. Ask if your colour is offered in different batches. If you want a perfect match you need to pick a batch from samples. You compare the samples with the colour on your car. I did a lot of touching up several years ago and saw an improvement when I got the right batch.

The days of getting the paint in spray cans are coming to an end. The stores must use solvent based ingredients, which are no longer available.

mikeh

Great information to have...thanks. What are areas do you plan on touching up? If and when you do it take some photos of the process and steps. Then post up a real good DIY for all.

Thanks

Stephen111

The good news is that I am not concerned about how the touch up looks, because it is down on the rocker panel. The bad news is that I need to match the coating that Audi has applied to the rocker panel. This coating has the thickness of a leather watch strap.

The scratch looked small after I hit the curb, but it grew after I cut away the coating that had become unstuck. I am filling in the trough with a thick paint called gravel guard. I am concerned about getting a lot of paint on the metal so that the scratch will always be protected from corrosion.

I am using disposable microbrush applicators to apply the paint. They come in various sizes and can be bought at Lee Valley Fine Woodworking Tools.