Ok, so I have today off work and am just about to have lunch then wash/dry my car. I have 1-2 small stonechips I'm going to touch up as well with a Honda branded paint pen I got from my dealership.

I just wanted to see how everyone else feels I should go about doing this. In my mind, I should wash and dry the car, let it sit for about 30 mins in the sun. Then do a fine dab in the spot(s) and let dry for 1-2 hrs, then do the same thing again. Then repeat the process two more times (same delays) but those times with the clearcoat side of the pen.

If I'm doing something wrong please let me know (hopefully in the next few hours) so I don't mess anything up as I have never done this before.

And yes I have already checked the paint code on my car to make sure it matches the pen..esp since the pen says "greystone perl" when I have "graphite grey perl". The first hit is fairly hidden (fixing for peace of mind), so it should be a good test to see how well the colour does match. I'm also going to try the pen out in the trunk first, before I touch any "visible" painted area.

Thanks to all in advance...

I didn't know they're now using pens instead of the usual brush crap. I've never used the brush I use my own fine tipped tools for the job, but having a pen from Honda, I wouldn't mind giving that a try.

With older pens it was important to make sure you're getting the right viscosity and not the gooey stuff from leaving the paint sitting for too long (it's hard to handle and doesn't adhere well). Other than that you seem to have a good idea of what it takes, just be carefull depending on where you are (temp/humidity...etc.) a couple of hours won't completely dry the last dab (depending on how much you dab of course).

Good luck.

tip: clean out chip spots with rubbing alcohol before touching up to help make sure you get a good bond.

I1 :)

Thanks. I just finished washing and put the first coat on...letting it dry before I move the car into the garage and put a second coat on one of the spots (the other is so small I don't want to risk any dripping/running.

Will do the coat(s) of clear tomorrow.

Hey actually one other question to you all...how long should I really wait before driving my car again after using this touchup paint? I know I'm being paranoid but after 24 hours or so I should be able to drive the car normally again right? (this means also going in excess of 80mph).

With most touchup paints, you only need to let dry for 20 minutes before driving. I wouldn't worry about the speed you're driving as much as the debris the car in front of you kicks up. ;)

Funny thing was when I went to put on some clear today it actually removed a bit of the base I put on the previous day (and this had been on the car for approx 16hrs at that time). I just ended up doing a bit more with the base (to replace what the clear had removed for some reason) and "let things be". Temps around here have been about 25C to 32C ranging from no to moderate humidity during the day, dropping to around 17-20C overnight.

This was all around 1pm today (its 10:16pm here right now) and its still sticky if I lightly touch around one of the spots...hence why I am hoping with around 35hrs more "dry time" my car will be good to go again for Monday.

The only other thing that worries me is reports here already say it is going to rain on Monday...and if Honda is using water based paint couldn't it remove some and have it run down the side of my car? :paranoid: Not exactly what I would want do find when I go to come home from work. I do have access to one other car that I could use that day if it rains...anyone think that might be a good idea? :dunno:

Funny thing was when I went to put on some clear today it actually removed a bit of the base I put on the previous day (and this had been on the car for approx 16hrs at that time). I just ended up doing a bit more with the base (to replace what the clear had removed for some reason) and "let things be". Temps around here have been about 25C to 32C ranging from no to moderate humidity during the day, dropping to around 17-20C overnight.

This was all around 1pm today (its 10:16pm here right now) and its still sticky if I lightly touch around one of the spots...hence why I am hoping with around 35hrs more "dry time" my car will be good to go again for Monday.

The only other thing that worries me is reports here already say it is going to rain on Monday...and if Honda is using water based paint couldn't it remove some and have it run down the side of my car? :paranoid: Not exactly what I would want do find when I go to come home from work. I do have access to one other car that I could use that day if it rains...anyone think that might be a good idea? :dunno:

I've never had mine run from water, it stays sticky for a while sure. I highly doubt it's water based especially since the way Honda want you to clear the pen is soak it in some paint thinner (if it's stubbornly clogged). R u sure you're using Honda OEM touch up?

I've never had mine run from water, it stays sticky for a while sure. I highly doubt it's water based especially since the way Honda want you to clear the pen is soak it in some paint thinner (if it's stubbornly clogged). R u sure you're using Honda OEM touch up?

Yep its a Honda branded touchup pen I got from the dealership (one side clear the otherside my base colour). Reason I figured it was water based was due to the fact that the Ohio facility where they make the Accords is either now using water based paints or will be in the near future.

Just checked the car a few hours ago and its still sticky. Weather report is calling for thunderstorms throughout the day tomorrow so I may just let my baby rest one of day in the safety of my garage (supposed to be clear skies the rest of the week).

Overall I'm happy with my touchup job...but the one spot on my quarterpanel seems a little "scuffy" in apperance, as if the clearcoat didn't go on as smoothly as it should. Does anyone think a claybar or even waxing could fix this a bit? I know it will never look the same without sanding it all down and polishing it back up...but thats just not an option for me really (I'd rather live with it like it is than have to deal with doing all that for such a small scratch).

The reason I'm asking if it's honda OEM is that I just bought my Dad a Honda OEM touch up pen, and it only had either the brush or the pen, no different sides :dunno: , nothing about clear coat and base paint. Something new? Directions were fairly simple too (clean - apply - let dry, repeat as required...etc) no mention of a clear coat side. :dunno:

The one I'm using, as long as you are not too scruffy with the last layer, a mild polish will blend it nicely in.

It's an OEM Honda pen...I just picked it up, so maybe they changed something recently? :dunno: I'm also in Canada...so maybe something is different here...

Anyhow, here is a pic of the pen with both caps removed....

Thanks for the pic. Interesting. Seems like you're on your own on this one, never seen that version before. Good luck.

Thanks for the pic. Interesting. Seems like you're on your own on this one, never seen that version before. Good luck.
Me neither.

But don't use a clay bar on the fresh touchup paint. If you want to get rid of the stickiness, use a hair dryer or a heat gun on a low setting for a few minutes.

Probably only available in Canada. I've not seen any at ant US dealerships.

Me neither.

But don't use a clay bar on the fresh touchup paint. If you want to get rid of the stickiness, use a hair dryer or a heat gun on a low setting for a few minutes.

When would it be safe to use a claybar on it? 30-60 days? I figure that would remove some of the "roughness" of the touchup so long as I am careful....

The above photo doesn't look like some of the touch up pens I've seen. Some have fine felt tips, while others have a roller-ball. The latter doesn't make sense to me, since a rollerball works on the principle of a rough surface that creates friction. A clearcoat car finish doesn't do that, nor does the undersurface of the paint.

You could try using a rubbing compound on it to remove the rough spots in the touchup paint. The clay bar only removes surface contaminants.

It should be safe to clay that area after 30 days or so.

http://www.langka.com/

It really works