Touch up paint

[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.