How to Apply Touch Up Paint Using the Spray Can

Preparation

  • Nozzle Preparation: The spray can nozzle is not pre-attached. Find it either in the cap or in the box and attach it to the spray can stem. We provide a fan-style nozzle for a broader and more even spray pattern.
  • Safety Precautions: Always use an approved automotive paint respirator, safety goggles, and gloves when handling and applying automotive paint to protect your eyes and skin.
  • Surface Preparation: Use SEM Adhesion Promoter on plastic, rubber, or chrome surfaces to ensure proper paint adhesion. If you’re applying over a previously painted surface, scuff the area to provide a good surface for the new paint to bond.
  • Taping: We suggest you use automotive-grade masking tape. You only want to tape to an edge, i.e. a door or hood. Do not tape directly around where you are repairing as you will see lines on the surface where you applied the new paint.
  • Testing Color Match: Before applying paint to your vehicle, test the paint on an inconspicuous part of the vehicle to ensure compatibility and color match.
  • Practice: Practice spraying off the vehicle first. Familiarize yourself with the spray pattern and pressure.
  • Environment Check: Ensure the humidity is below 50%. Make sure the temperature is at least 50°F but ideally around 70°F. If it is too hot, specifically over 80°F, the paint can dry before hitting the vehicle, resulting in a very rough surface. The whole point behind practicing is to observe how quickly the basecoat, (midcoat if you are doing a tricoat), and clearcoat dry. Normally, we recommend letting the paint dry overnight at each step, but often you can complete all the steps within an hour. Do not practice on your vehicle!

Spraying Instructions

  • Clean the area using soap and water or a wax and grease remover.
  • Wetsand and scuff the area with wet and dry sandpaper. Start with 220 grit and you can finish with up to 1000 grit.
  • Apply even wet coats of the basecoat. Allow each coat to dry for 20 minutes before recoating. Depending on the color, some might require more paint. If you are using single-stage paint, which already includes the clearcoat mixed into the paint, skip the separate clearcoat application steps. Directly polish the single-stage paint after application.
  • Blending: Blend the paint into adjacent panels for a nicer and less noticeable repair, especially for metallic paints. We sell a blending compound and it is highly recommended you use this product.
  • Apply Coats Properly: The most important thing is to not spray heavy coats. Ensure you do not apply so little paint that it dries as you apply it, as this can create dry spots.
  • Spray in a Dust-Free Area: Keep the environment clean to avoid dust settling on wet paint.
  • Practice: Always practice away from your vehicle to avoid mistakes on the actual paint job.
  • Optionally, wet sand the final coat with 1000 grit sandpaper to remove any imperfections.
  • Ensure the basecoat is dry to the touch before applying the clearcoat. Extend the clearcoat slightly beyond the basecoat to ensure full coverage.
  • Apply two wet coats of clearcoat, allowing sufficient drying between coats, unless using single-stage paint.

Post-Application

  • Drying Time: Let the clearcoat dry for at least three days. When you become more proficient, you will be able to tell when the clearcoat is dry by seeing if it will shine when you use the rubbing compound.
  • Finishing: Use a rubbing compound (cutting creme) with a clean, soft cotton cloth (avoid paper or dirty fabrics) to polish the area and achieve a high gloss finish. Always test the rubbing compound on a less visible part of your vehicle first to ensure it does not damage the paint.
  • Final Advice: If this is your first time using spray cans for touch-up, start with a small test area to get comfortable with the process before moving on to more visible sections.

Additional Spraying Application Notes and Tips

  • Single Stage Paint: If you ordered single-stage paint, it already includes the clearcoat mixed into the paint. Directly polish the single-stage paint after application, skipping separate clearcoat steps.
  • Sanding: If you are spraying a panel such as a door, you must decide how far you are going to paint and scuff the entire area. Typically you would paint the area and extend out to a panel line.
  • Spraying non-metal surfaces: Use SEM Adhesion Promoter if you are spraying a non-metal surface. Failure to do so will result in the paint peeling off within a few months. The SEM will promote proper adhesion of the paint layers. It must be sprayed BEFORE you apply primer.

Warnings

  • Do not use spray nozzles from another spray can! Swapping nozzles can puncture the plunger system and cause damage making the can unusable.