Touch Up Paint on quarter-sized area
 

I have a small spot that I need to touch-up and don't really need it to look perfect, just want the paint to stick and last. I have a spray can of touch-up paint that matches my color.

My question is, would it be better to spray some paint in a cup and touch-up with a small brush (after priming of course) or would it be better to make a mask with some cardboard and spray the paint on the spot to be touched up. The spray would be smoother, but, might be more difficult to feather around the edges. I'm thinking a heavier coat with a brush might be longer lasting.

Thanks in advance.

You'd be better off dabbing it with a brush. The problem with using the paint from the can is that it's been thinned for spraying. You could try letting the paint sit for a while to flash off some of the thinner so it can thicken up a bit and then use the brush ... or just get a paint touch up pen/brush from your local auto parts store.

Thanks Chad, good point regarding the spray paint. I just ordered the same color but in a 2 ounce bottle from automotivetouchup.com

About a week from completion of this project (well, at least for now).... I can finally see the light at the end of that tunnel.

That's cool Aaron.:)

Just in case you didn't know ... when I touch up chips I use the thick stuff you just ordered. I apply it in two coats and then use rubbing compound to work it down flush with the surrounding area. Then I use polishing compound to buff the spot. I have successfully used this technique to fill scratches on my mom's car that were from a vandal's key. You can tell where the scratches are if you know and look closely, otherwise they are imperceptible.

Chad, do you just apply the primer with a small brush as well before laying down the paint?

Thanks for coming through again man!

Yes, but try to keep the primer off the "face" of the chip edge. You want to try and make the color matched paint mate with that face so you can make a smooth repair without a primer ring.

Whooops. Went over the edge of the unpainted area with the primer... guess I'll have a ring. Oh well, like I said, doesn't need to look perfect. I haven't even buffed it yet and it looks 100x better.