How to Apply Touch-Up Paint to Repair Minor Paint Scratches and Chips

The best way to protect the value of your vehicle is to always repair any paint damage before it gets worse and causes more extensive appearance or structural issues. Paint chips and scratches, if left unrepaired, can eventually lead to further paint deterioration, clear coat peeling, and rust if the metal body of the vehicle is exposed to moisture and other environmental or corrosive elements. Learn how to properly prep your vehicle and apply touch-up paint for a lasting repair with our detailed guide.


Technician selecting color of car with an electronic paint matching scanner.

1. Get your Vehicle's Body Color Custom Paint-Matched

The first step is to make sure you have the appropriate color-matched paint for your repair. The original paint color for your vehicle's body can be identified with a paint code specific to the vehicle's manufacturer, and these paint codes are usually located on the information label with the VIN number. If your vehicle also has an exterior painted trim color or if it was originally a two-tone paint job, then the trim paint code or secondary paint code will be listed there as well.

Select O'Reilly Auto Parts stores are equipped to provide professional paint matching and custom-mixing for most factory and custom paint colors. Whether you need a touch-up bottle for a paint scratch or chip or sprayable paint for repainting a body panel, our parts professionals can assist you with mixing the best paint match and volume for your repair.

We will attempt to match the paint color as closely as possible, but depending on the condition of the original paint on the vehicle it may not be a perfect match if there has been any change in color from UV exposure, age, or previous refinishing work.

If you'd like to learn more about locating paint codes or getting custom-mixed paint check out our store service page on Custom Automotive Paint Mixing at O'Reilly Auto Parts.
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2. Choose an Application Method: Paint Pens, Brushing, or Spray Paint

The best application method for new paint will be determined by the size of the area that needs to be repainted. For tiny scratches and chips, a paint pen or brush can be sufficient, but anything larger, such as a spot repair on a body panel, may require aerosol application to ensure a smooth finish. In this case, touch-up spray paint is usually the best option. If your paint project involves anything larger than a spot repair, including refinishing an entire body panel, bumper, or other large area, it's recommended that professional spray equipment be used to achieve the best results. If you are not equipped for these types of repairs, it may be best to find a professional body repair shop. O’Reilly can recommend a local shop that specializes in paint and body repairs if you’re not able to take on this type of repair yourself.

3. Choose an Application Method: Paint Pens, Brushing, or Spray Paint

Temperature is the most important factor in determining where to paint your vehicle, as heat is the main catalyst that causes the chemical reactions necessary for a high-quality finish. In most cases, painting and touch-up work can be done in a garage that is well-ventilated and within the appropriate temperature range for painting. If you don't have access to a garage or enclosed area, then you will want to make sure your painting location has relatively low humidity and is not in direct sunlight. If the temperature is too high, there is a chance the paint will start to dry before reaching the surface. This can result in uneven application, and may cause an orange peel effect or other paint defects. For this reason, it's recommended that you not apply paint in hot or humid conditions, especially to a car in direct sunlight. Cold temperatures can also cause issues with paint curing that may lead to cracking, bubbling, or other surface imperfections.

Always be sure to check the paint manufacturer's recommendations for the optimal temperature for paint application. If possible, always ensure that you are in an area free from dust or airborne particles that could also stick to the paint before it cures. If you must paint outdoors, choose a day with as little wind as possible to help ensure minimal surface contamination and embedded debris that could ruin your repair.

4. Testing the Paint Match and Practicing Application

Before applying any paint to your vehicle, make sure you test the paint match by applying paint to a test card or a piece of scrap metal and compare it to the original paint on the vehicle. This will help you avoid any costly repainting mistakes and also allow you some valuable practice time so you can become familiar with how the paint dispenses and how quickly the paint dries. If the paint on your test card looks drastically different than the paint on your vehicle, it may mean that the paint on the car has faded significantly or has been repainted in a non-original color, and it may be necessary to have paint custom-mixed for your application.


Technician wet sanding a car bumper.

5. Preparing the Surface for Painting: Removing Contaminants and Sanding

When you are ready to begin the actual painting process, start by prepping the surface that will be painted. Clean the touch-up area thoroughly with a paint prep solvent or grease and wax remover to get rid of any surface contaminants that may interfere or react with the paint. To get the best finish, you will also want to wet sand the area to ensure the surface is smooth and rust-free. This will allow the paint to bond evenly and also provides the paint or primer with small scratches to properly maximize adhesion. After sanding, make sure to give the area another rinse and use your prep solvent once more to remove any residual particles before applying primer.

When sanding, it's best to hold the sandpaper with a sanding block or use a sanding sponge so your fingers don't create uneven pressure points. This will help provide even sanding pressure and minimize the chances of taking off too much paint in one spot.

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6. Applying Primer

Applying primer is considered the most important step for any touch-up paint repair because it significantly increases base coat adhesion and enhances corrosion resistance. If you are using body filler, then primer will also help seal the filler and allow for smoother sanding. Once the primer is applied, it should be allowed to dry fully and may need to be sanded again to ensure smoothness and complete paint adhesion. Even if you choose not to sand the primer before applying paint, the primer should be completely dry before adding any base coat color. Always check the instructions on your primer and touch-up paint to ensure you understand dry times and application processes for the best possible finish.


Close-up view of a technician applying touch-up paint with a brush to a car scratch.

7. Applying the Touch-Up Base Coat

For most small paint repairs, you will be using the nib of a paint pen or a fine-tip paintbrush to apply the base coat. Paint one layer at a time by using a minimal amount of paint to evenly distribute over the prepped area, and let it dry before adding another layer. The goal is to not overpaint, but to paint in stages and to build up the paint in thin layers until it evens out. This helps limit the risk of runs or other paint issues. The touch-up paint should be flush with the rest of the vehicle's paint surface, and the deeper the scratch or chip, the more layers this may take.

If you are using a paint pen on a very small chip, it may be easier to use a palette instead of trying to apply the paint directly from the pen to the repair spot. Find a scrap piece of material with a clean surface to use as a palette, then dab the paint onto the palette. Use the nib of the paint pen to lightly touch the paint, then gently apply it to the repair area. This can help ensure you use as little paint as possible to avoid bubbling or runs.

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Technician preparing to spray paint by paint masking the front-end of a car.

When using touch-up spray paint for larger areas like a spot repair on a body panel, you'll want to be sure to mask off any areas you don't want the spray paint to touch. Follow the same process of building up the layers with an even, overlapping spray pattern and allow time between coats for the paint to dry.

It's also a good idea to have some lacquer thinner on hand in case any mistakes are made and excess paint needs to be removed. Keep in mind that lacquer thinner can also affect the undamaged paint or clear coat, so it’s important to be very careful if you attempt to clean any paint defects or mistakes using thinner. Once enough base coat has been applied to level the surface, let the paint dry completely before moving on to the clear coat.
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8. Sealing with Clear Coat

If you are using a single-stage paint or touch-up pen that includes a top coat, an additional clear coat may not be needed. However, if a clear coat is required, you will also want to repeat the process of painting in thin layers and letting the clear coat dry between applications. It's recommended that you apply the clear coat with as little pressure as possible and float it over the base coat so it doesn't remove any of the base paint. Check both your paint and clear coat manufacturers’ instructions to ensure that the products you’ve chosen are compatible and to determine when to apply the clear coat to ensure the best adhesion. Let the paint and clear coat fully cure before polishing with a rubbing compound.


Before waxing your vehicle, be sure to wait at least 30 days, or even up to 90 days, for the paint to settle into the surface. Ingredients in wax can interfere with new paint, and waiting to wax is the recommended process to avoid any damage to your new paint repair. If you’ve taken the necessary preparation steps, your refinished paint repair should last for years to come, but it’s important to continue to keep your vehicle’s finished surfaces clean and protected. Our article about how to detail your vehicle provides step-by-step instructions and the information you may need to wash, wax and polish your car at home.

If you need assistance with paint matching or finding the best touch-up paint supplies, stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts store and let our parts professionals help you find everything you'll need to restore your vehicle's appearance today. You can also visit one of our Custom Paint-Mixing locations that have even more of the repair supplies you need and can custom-mix touch-up bottles or aerosol paint cans to help you make a complete, like-new paint repair.

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