Touch up paint advice

[disad-vantage-d]

I have recently acquired a metallic diamond white Mercedes and have purchased a touch up stick from the dealer. However, the paint is very weak and almost transparent and I'm having problems covering minor chips.
Is this due to this being a pearlised paint finish?
Any suggestions?

[Squiggs]

From what you're saying it sounds like your car is a 3 stage white (a flat white base coat, then a more or less clear pearl coat, then lacquer). I don't know how touch up kits for 3 stage are supplied ... do you get a white base, pearl and lacquer?
If you're having coverage problems I might be tempted to get a small pot of white Humbrol model makers paint or get a plain flat white touch up kit and use that as a base then carry on with what you've already been supplied with.

Edited by Squiggs on Saturday 28th April 11:29

Edited by Squiggs on Saturday 28th April 11:33

[disad-vantage-d]

That's what I thought. I was supplied with the diamond white and a clear lacquer. But the white is just so thin.
I was thinking of using a white touch up I had for the roof of a Mini I used to have as a base coat, then using the diamond white over the top as you have suggested.

[mbcShay]

Just a quick thought - have you thouroghly agitated the paint before application?

Otherwise proceed as discussed earlier. Remember, if you have a 'cock-up' - thinners will remove touch up paint without damaging you original finish. Thouroughly dry thinners after use.

HIH

[disad-vantage-d]

That's what I thought at first, I shook the paint more than thoroughly. But it's consistency is almost like clear lacquer with just a hint of colour. I wondered at first if it was dodgy.

With regard to removing the touch up paint with thinners. I take it this is only when the paint is still wet?

[mbcShay]

It will remove dried touch up paint too.
Not to be used on resprayed panels.

[disad-vantage-d]

Thanks for that.
I have a tin of cellulose thinners. I take it that's what you mean?

[jds32]

You can still touch them up regardless of what type of lacquer they have on them ceramic or not.

[JulesB]

Tip ex?

Build up the paint layers, white is a horrible colour to get coverage with as it is very transparent so you will need to apply, dry, apply, dry, apply, dry etc etc. You will get there in the end