Better touch-up paint?

[pipspeak]

Does anyone know where I can get better touch-up paint for my Galactic Gray 4runner than the junk Toyota sells?

The Toyota stuff is two shades lighter than the factory paint, despite supposedly being the correct color (as confirmed by VIN).

I hae heard of some companies that supply touch-up paint based on a vehicle's paint code, but I've no idea where they are.

On another note, anyone planning to touch up a bunch of chips should invest in stuff called Tough-up Magic (I got some from my Toyota deler for $10). It's similar to the Lanka blob eliminator but easier to use... paint the chip, let dry for an hour, swab this gel-like stuff on, and scrape the paint blob flush with the supplied plastic scraper thingy. I was sceptical, but it seems to work well and makes life a lot easier.

 

[rook]

The reason touch up paint does not exactly match is due to paint variants within a certain paint code. Galactic Grey has been around for a few years and over time the paint formula varies for a number of reasons such as plant changes, production line changes, mixtures and different paint suppliers (buying from the lowest bidder). Therefore, the touchup paint isnt going to match all vehicles perfectly. You can experiment with the different aftermarket suppliers like dupli-color or go to an autobody supply store and have a small amount mixed up. Some stores will mix up as little as 4-8 ounces, others will make you buy at least a pint of paint at a relatively low cost (consiedering it costs about $200 per gal). If color match is that important, the latter may be the best option, paint co's spend a lot on perfecting their color-matches and keep records of the variants in their databases. Just go with the original or "prime" formula and it will be an excellent match.

 

[JP4RNR]

Also remember too, The reason the paint color is off is because the paint on our 4Runners is a two stage paint consisting of a base coat and clear coat. If you just apply the base coat the shade will be off. After you apply the base coat you need to apply the clearcoat to blend the repaired area. You also need to ensure you shake the paint bottle very well before applying as that can affect color match as well. If your vehicle is a few years old the exposure to the sun would make it difficult to match exactly as the paint has probably faded a little.

 

[pipspeak]

Also remember too, The reason the paint color is off is because the paint on our 4Runners is a two stage paint consisting of a base coat and clear coat. If you just apply the base coat the shade will be off. After you apply the base coat you need to apply the clearcoat to blend the repaired area. You also need to ensure you shake the paint bottle very well before applying as that can affect color match as well. If your vehicle is a few years old the exposure to the sun would make it difficult to match exactly as the paint has probably faded a little.

Unfortunately, applying clearcoat (albeit generic clear) seems to have minimal effect on the final color of the touch up. As for fading... the original paint is significantly darker than the touch up, so fading is not an issue.

Overall I wouldn't expect touchup paint to be an exact color, but a couple of dings on a door that I repaired kinda stand out, even from 5 feet away. Granted, it's better than looking at primer but I'd like to try and get something a slightly better match.

Does anyone else have better luck?

 

[Kenn]

Never tried it, but I heard paintscratch.com is good.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Does anyone know where I can get better touch-up paint for my Galactic Gray 4runner than the junk Toyota sells?

The Toyota stuff is two shades lighter than the factory paint, despite supposedly being the correct color (as confirmed by VIN).

I have the same problem with Pacific Blue, it's way too light. 99.9999% of touch-up paint users aren't going to use clear coat so why not make it match the factory color? Grrrr...

 

[Falls]

I'm sorry to say touch up paint in the bottle is exactly that , its made to just hide a small chip or something. To get something that will match a primer with paint over the top and clear over that , you will never find a match. Maybe it may differ ever so slightly from bottle to bottle but you kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place if your looking for an exact or close to an exact match.

Not what you want to hear , but thats just the way it is.

 

[jrs2]

If you just apply basecoat without putting clear over it, it will fade so fast it won't match anyway. One function of the clear is to protect the base from UV.

When you apply the clear you have to be real careful since it will remove the basecoat if you brush it on. For really small chips just apply one drop. After it's completely dry, sand and buff. For larger areas, you need to spray.

Fixing chips to look good is really hard. I think the main point of touchup paint is to prevent rust.

Another source of paint is http://www.levineautoparts.com/index.html

Both levine and paintscratch sell small bottles, spray cans, pints, gallons and painting supplys. Paintscratch sells these pens for touchup, they suck. Don't waste your time or $ on these.

 

[<<<<]

Toyota touchup with ball pen tip is crap and doesnt match anything. I got 14oz bottle from paintscratch.com and it matched my silver titanium perfectly. Get base coat only, there is no need for clear coat on small scratches.

 

[Falls]

Toyota touchup with ball pen tip is crap and doesnt match anything. I got 14oz bottle from paintscratch.com and it matched my silver titanium perfectly. Get base coat only, there is no need for clear coat on small scratches.

That great , good to know info ..... but a 14oz bottle ????

 

[oua]

Toyota touchup with ball pen tip is crap and doesnt match anything. I got 14oz bottle from paintscratch.com and it matched my silver titanium perfectly. Get base coat only, there is no need for clear coat on small scratches.

I think it was a hit and miss situation and you just got lucky.

Who else have order paint from paintscratch.com and also had a "perfect" match?


The point is: Local dealer Toyota paint is $8 tax included and paintscratch.com paint is $20 shipped.

If either touchup is gonna match perfectly. What's the point of paying extra $12.