truelove

here's the deal. i repaired some paint chips this past weekend and didn't do such a great job (basically just little blobs). they're real small so you still can't really see them but they bother me a little. so i was wondering, if i took some paint thinner to the repair job, would that help or does the paint thinner hurt the original paint/clear coat already on the car. i'm hoping i can just use the paint thinner to either remove the repair job i did, or smooth it out.

i have no idea and i'm not gonna just start rubbing paint thinner on my car. if i'm stupid and this is a very dumb idea and it will eat through the factory paint, tell me and i won't do it.

any other suggestions on how to fix my tiny botched job. i would have used langka or something like that if i had known about it at the time. thanks.

Rowdy Audi

Yes, paint thinner will hurt your clearcoat. Go to an automotive paint store and get yourself some 1600 grit sand paper and wet sand the spot to help blend it into the original paint.

truelove

see, that's why i asked. so 1600 grit won't leave scratches?

Kar don

mineral spirits will not hurt your clear coat and should do the job to remove the paint. Make sure to wash and wax afterwards... Be careful if you do go the sandpaper route. I personally prefer langka.

truelove

i would have used langka if i had known. but it's a little late now (or is it). i did it 4 days ago and it would take a couple weeks to get some langka to me. i'll probably use it next time.

so mineral spirits will disolve the excess paint but not hurt my clear coat at all eh?

Rowdy Audi

It won't leave scratches that you can't wax out as long as you wet sand it. But it does take a little bit of practice to get it to look good.

I've never tried mineral spirits before, but I would suggest trying it in a spot you can't see first.

truelove

sounds good, i'll do some more research and try some options this week. thanks guys.

truelove

oh man, now where do i find 1600 grit sandpaper? i have no clue who would carry it in peoria, IL.

Rowdy Audi

Here is a start:

A & B AUTO BODY SUPPLY INCORPORATED
3220 N PROSPECT RD, PEORIA, IL 61603
(309) 688-8877

truelove

how did you find that? i've been looking and didn't run across that. thanks.

EDIT: now i found it. thanks again

Kar don

truelove, 1600 grit scratches cannot be "waxed" out. They have to buffed using an abrasive compound that says it can take out these scratches. BTW langka WILL work on touch up paint up to I believe 1 year old. The longer it dries, the more langka it takes to remove it.

truelove

will something like meguiars scratchX work to remove anything left behind by 1600 grit sandpaper?

if langka works on touch-up paint up to one year old, how does it not hurt the original paint on the car? is it not able to get through the clear coat or what? i will maybe have to order some and see what happens.

Kar don

touch up paint is not durable by any means compared to a factory paint finish. But wait, ur car was repainted right (due to that accident).

truelove

yes, but not on that area of the car.

so you're saying i shouldn't use langka on a section of the car that has been repainted? can i use it on those repainted sections if it's been a long time since the paint job? what are options on the repainted sections?

i just ordered some.

KOMPRESSORnSC

So Al, I have some touch up places I did a few months ago without shaking the bottle (orion blue) adequately and they're real dark compared to the touch ups I did when I shook it well. Does this mean I can use langka to strip them and then retouch? I hope so, because it just makes me sick that I filled them in so perfectly and then the color didn't match! TIA

Kar don

yes! you can. man u guys are motivating me to do my car! lol.

truelove

Al, i know you like langka, but how much have you actually used it. i believe you and all, i was just curious. have you actually used it on months old touch-up paint and how well does it actually work? how easy is it to do?

ajayz

I have a question about paint chips also. there are so many on the hood of the S that it annoys me. would it be easier just to get the hood repainted?

truelove

first step (if you're really serious) would be to find out what it costs. if it's more than you wanna spend for how much it bothers you, then fix them all with touch up. and if you screw it up even more with the touch-up, then have it repainted.

Kar don

I used it on 2 day old touch up paint and it came off pretty easily, there is somewhat of a learning curve, but not too much. I touched up and edge that was chipped, not a chip on the flat part of the hood. Came out 75-80% as good as the original paint next to it. You can find the spot if you are looking for it, but you wouldn't notice it otherwise. I am sure I could have done a better job now that I know how to use the product

truelove

hmmm, by the time the bottle i just ordered gets to me. the touch-up paint will be about 3 weeks old. i hope it still works.

mtdceo

I did the same thing with my car... thanks to all you guys... I now know what langka is.....i'm ordering it right now... will arrive next week... hope it still works...

thanks guys!!!