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How do you apply touch-up paint and lacquer to a car?

I just bought an older car and it has some small scratches and dings. I’d like to touch it up, but I’ve never really done a job like that before. What’s the best way to apply touch-up paint and lacquer to a car?

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Touching up your car is a cheap, easy way to help it look a little nicer. Plus, it’s not so hard!
You can follow these steps to
apply touch-up paint
and lacquer to a car:
  • Order and test your paint to make sure it matches the color of your car when it dries.
  • Paint your car in a space with low humidity and no sunlight.
  • Thoroughly wash and dry the areas that you plan to paint. Remove any rust with sandpaper or a wire brush.
  • Apply a primer to the areas you’d like to paint, and allow it to dry for at least 20 minutes.
  • Apply thin coats of paint to the scratches until they become flush with the rest of your car. Allow them to dry for at least 20 minutes between layers.
  • Once the paint is dry, apply some clearcoat to the area.
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