need help for blending paint

[rjgervacio]

So some of the clear coat and paint were peeling on the lower side of one of the doors due to rock chips. I did the following steps to correct it:

1) Wash, Clay & Dry
2) Prep the surface by wet-sanding it with 1200 grit.
3) Dab with OEM touch up paint which I acquired from a body shop that fixed my car.
4) Wet sand with 3000 grit.
5) Polish it with Meg 105 followed by Meg 205.

I was sort of happy with the results. The surface is all nice, smooth and leveled, however, the color doesn't seem to blend it with the rest of the panel.

My theory is that it needs a clearcoat application perhaps in order to bring back its gloss and blend in. Here are some photos:

 

[Midnight1700]

It's a little difficult to get a true visual from pictures, but it looks like the touch-up paint is a few shades lighter than the original. Did the supplier of the paint include an additive that adds additional shine to the paint? Also, it looks like there are still some scratches in the touch-up area from the sanding. Again, it's sometimes difficult to tell from pictures.

 

[rjgervacio]

It's a little difficult to get a true visual from pictures

You have a point there when it comes to pictures and it's different when you see it in-person, however, this image is actually rather close to what it looks like right now.

but it looks like the touch-up paint is a few shades lighter than the original. Did the supplier of the paint include an additive that adds additional shine to the paint? Also, it looks like there are still some scratches in the touch-up area from the sanding.

I'm not sure if it has any additives, I wouldn't be able to tell that, can I? Also, I've tried using the same paint on other spots and it blended quite nicely or least close to perfection. Do you suggest sanding it more?

 

[embolism]

I'm confused

that looks like the edge of a protective bra which would mean the fill is on top of the bra?

or has a bra been added over the area after you fixed it (in which case, you can't do anything else without removing the bra)

 

[rjgervacio]

I'm confused

that looks like the edge of a protective bra which would mean the fill is on top of the bra?

or has a bra been added over the area after you fixed it (in which case, you can't do anything else without removing the bra)

I'm confused myself too with what you have just written. :doh:

What do you mean by "bra"?

 

[embolism]

in the last 2 pics of the original post, I see a curved line that is either the edge of some protective film (clear bra) or a big sweeping scratch.

Furthermore, the curve of that film leads me to believe the area under it is what is covered by the "bra" but that is where those chips are that you are talking about. If there is a bra there then that means the chips have a bra on them or the chip repair was performed over the bra, which could be the reason why they look difft from the other chips you've fixed...

I guess the main question is:

is there a bra where those chips are or is it just paint?

 

[Blackthorn One]

It looks like the metallic in the touched up area is dispersed in stripes along the strokes of the brush. I wonder if better results could be achieved using a bigger brush and then after thoroughly mixing the paint right before you use it, to dab the paint on instead of brushing it, in order to simulate the metallic dispersion pattern of spraying.After that, you would sand and polish it flush. Because of how the metal lays down, it is difficult to match metallic paint. It can greatly affect the shade that the paint appears as to how the metallic is. A layer of clear will indeed make the color look deeper and darker. If I wanted it to be right, I would try my suggestion, unless you could mask and spray it, and then apply the clear. I think that my method will make it match better than what you have.

 

[David Fermani]

Pictures are fine. There is nothing you can do to improve this other than using a better matching touch up or have a body shop professionally repair it. Clear coat has no effect on this application and is pointless.

 

[Blackthorn One]

It looks like the metallic in the touched up area is dispersed in stripes along the strokes of the brush. I wonder if better results could be achieved using a bigger brush and then after thoroughly mixing the paint right before you use it, to dab the paint on instead of brushing it, in order to simulate the metallic dispersion pattern of spraying.After that, you would sand and polish it flush. Because of how the metal lays down, it is difficult to match metallic paint. It can greatly affect the shade that the paint appears as to how the metallic is. A layer of clear will indeed make the color look deeper and darker. If I wanted it to be right, I would try my suggestion, unless you could mask and spray it, and then apply the clear. I think that my method will make it match better than what you have.

Building on this, don't take my word for it, try the dab technique on something else and see if it makes the metallic look different than brushing the paint does.

 

[rjgervacio]

in the last 2 pics of the original post, I see a curved line that is either the edge of some protective film (clear bra) or a big sweeping scratch.

Furthermore, the curve of that film leads me to believe the area under it is what is covered by the "bra" but that is where those chips are that you are talking about. If there is a bra there then that means the chips have a bra on them or the chip repair was performed over the bra, which could be the reason why they look difft from the other chips you've fixed...

I guess the main question is:

is there a bra where those chips are or is it just paint?

I think this would be a bra. The design on the car has this thin extra layer on the lower edge of the rear passenger door.

 

[embolism]

can you put touchup paint on top of a chip that is covered by a bra? Will it stick if the surface is prepped properly?

I have a very noticable chip that the prev owner clearbra'ed over so rather than pull up the clear bra, maybe I'll just do what rj did...

 

[Blackthorn One]

can you put touchup paint on top of a chip that is covered by a bra? Will it stick if the surface is prepped properly?

I have a very noticable chip that the prev owner clearbra'ed over so rather than pull up the clear bra, maybe I'll just do what rj did...

No, you cannot. You must remove the bra. Touch up paint is for touching up paint, not clear urethane protective film. All paint defects must be fixed before a clear bra is applied. The only nice thing about this bra is that it prevents any ADDITIONAL chips from happening.