Board vs. 4Runner: Paint Tips

[PredBlue]

Like the title says, Board vs. 4Runner....more specifically, a 2" x 12" fell and scraped across the front end. This is on an '03 and Silver in color. It left a softball size area of damage on the plastic fascia directly above the fog lights. I actually used a Magic Eraser and got about 95% of the color transfer off, and the few scraches that went more than surface deep I'll just have to live with since they're fairly faint. However, I still have an area about 4 inches long and 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide were the paint was scraped down to the bare black plastic that I want to touch up.

I've never been happy with the results I get from using the small brush that comes inside the touch up paint. It always seems to look a little "gloppy" when I've used it before, but usually it was a small area anyway. I tried a test on some scrap using the included brush vs. a small hobby brush (like for plastic models) and the hobby brush looked a little better (maybe because the hobby brush bristles are softer?). Still, it didn't look very good. Maybe the problem is just with the metallic silver being a harder color to work with?

Since this is a larger surface area on front, I would appreciate any tips, tricks or techniques for trying to make this look better. It's too visible of an area to try and fail so I thought I would ask for advice first.

Thanks.

 

[NorCalBorn]

Honestly the amount of tim and frustration you'd have to invest in trying to either rattle can it or brush touch it outweighs either PlastiDipp'n it or paying a body shop to fix it. Silver fleck is easy to lay down wrong and screw up.

Shouldn't cost ya more than $150 to respray at a jobber shop. me, I'd call it "PATINA". :lol:

 

[MR.H]

For best results using touch up paint, its best to buff it and apply 2-3 coats in each spot, with buffing in-between. If you are brave, wet sanding it very lightly with high grit sandpaper will smooth it out more, and buff it yada yada. If you want more info, shoot me a PM.