• Paint Pens

    How to repair small chips and fine scratches – up to the size of a pencil eraser

    Read Directions 

  • Paint Bottles

    Instructions to repair slightly larger chips, edges, and multiple narrow areas

    Read Directions 

  • Spray Cans

    How to complete larger repairs, blend panels, and fix more visible areas

    Read Directions 

  • Pro Sizes

    How to use spray equipment to repaint large sections and full panels

    Read Directions 

Which product should I choose?

You can get the same paint in a variety of formats. Compare features to ensure you're choosing the right solution.

 
Product Format
Paint Pen (1/2oz)
Product Format
Paint Bottle (2oz)
Product Format
Spray Can (12oz)
Pro Size Gallon
Best For

Tiny chips and hairline scratches. Made for quick, simple touch-ups.

Small to medium scratches and scuffs. More coverage, better blending.

Bumpers, panels, and larger areas. Smooth, even finish.

Full panels or professional repairs with near-perfect restoration.

Damage Size

From pinhead-sized to pencil-eraser sized

Roughly dime-sized up to a few inches across, when feathered properly

From hand-sized areas up to full sections where uniform finish matters

Full surface refinishing. Panels, assemblies, or multiple damaged areas.

Difficulty

Beginner friendly - very easy.

Beginner to intermediate

Moderately difficult - requires steady control

Experienced users and professionals. Requires an airless spray gun.

Repair time

1-2 hr active time, 24-48 hr total (including dry time)

2-4 hr active time, 48-72 hr total (including dry time)

3-6 hr active time, 3-7 days total (including dry time)

6-12+ hours active time, 7-14+ days total (including dry time)

Price from

$19.95

$34.95

$29.95

$599.95

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Give your vehicle the best possible repair by following these general guidelines:

  • Practice before touching your vehicle. Get a feel for paint flow, dry time, and pressure control.
  • Never start a paint pen or bottle directly on the vehicle. Prime the tip off the car, wipe excess, then apply.
  • Test cutting creme first on an inconspicuous area.
  • Use only automotive-grade materials (tape, sandpaper, cloths). Hardware store versions are often too harsh for your vehicle paint.

Best Practices for All Touch-Up Products

1. Clean and Prep the Area

  • Wash with soap and water.
  • Follow with a wax & grease remover for best adhesion.
  • Use automotive-grade masking tape around damage to protect surrounding paint.
  • Remove surface rust using 220-grit sandpaper or a wire brush.
  • For bare metal, treat with Mar-Hyde One-Step Rust Converter before beginning.

2. Understand Layer Order

All touch-up repairs follow the same sequence:

  1. Primer - protection needed only on bare metal/plastic/rubber
  2. Basecoat - the actual color
  3. Midcoat - sheer color layer (only for tricoats)
  4. Clearcoat - for shine and protection
  5. Cutting Creme - wet sanding after curing

3. Temperature & Dry Times

  • Minimum temperature: 40°F
  • Ideal temperature: 70–85°F
  • Paint dries faster in warm weather — practice off the vehicle first.
  • If unsure, let each layer dry overnight.

4. Sanding vs. Cutting Creme

  • For small chips, you generally should avoid sanding to prevent dulling.
  • If sanding is required: use 1000-grit, wet only, and be extremely cautious.
  • Cutting Creme is preferred for smoothing primer, basecoat, and clearcoat.

5. Clearcoat Behavior

  • Clearcoat acts like a solvent and can remove the basecoat if applied with pressure.
  • Always float it on using the tip of your applicator lighter than you think.

6. Cutting Creme Best Practices

  • Wait 3 days after clearcoat application.
  • Apply using a soft cotton cloth (NOT paper products).
  • Use light, circular motions; excessive pressure can scratch the existing finish.

7. Wait to Wax

  • Wait 30 days before waxing the repaired area.

PaintScratch Tutorial Videos

Visit our YouTube channel for short, easy-to-follow videos that show how to find your paint color code, apply touch-up paint, use paint pens, and repair chips and scratches correctly. Opens in a new tab.

Youtube Tutorials

Safety Warnings

Safety Warnings

Touch-up products contain automotive-grade solvents and should be handled with care. Follow these safety guidelines every time:

Work in a Safe Environment

  • Use in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.
  • Avoid working near open flames, sparks, or cigarettes.
  • Keep products away from direct sunlight or high heat.

Protect Yourself

  • Use a Dual Cartridge Respirator to protect your lungs, especially if using spray products.
  • Wear nitrile or latex gloves to avoid skin contact.
  • Use eye protection when sanding or using rust converter.
  • Wash hands thoroughly after use.

Use Products Responsibly

  • Keep all paint products away from children and pets.
  • Do not ingest or inhale contents.
  • Avoid long-term skin contact with solvents, clearcoats, and lacquer thinner.

Proper Storage

  • Store paint upright in a cool, dry place.
  • Make sure caps are tightly sealed to prevent spills or thickening.
  • Dispose of empty cans and solvents according to local hazardous waste guidelines.

Select the Right Tools

  • Rust converters and lacquer thinner can damage surfaces—use only where intended.
  • Do not use paper towels for Cutting Creme; wood fibers can scratch paint.

What to Expect From Touch Up Paint

Touch-up paint is designed to protect your vehicle and significantly improve appearance, but it’s important to set realistic expectations.

What Touch Up Paint Can Do

  • Hide chips and scratches so they are far less noticeable.
  • Restore the color in damaged areas.
  • Prevent rust from spreading.
  • Improve curb appeal.
  • Make surface defects blend better with the surrounding paint.

What Touch Up Paint Cannot Do

It will not make damage completely disappear, especially on:

  • Metallic paints
  • Pearls and tricoats
  • Large chips or wide scratches

It cannot replicate the look of a full-body or professional spray booth finish.

  • Clearcoat may slightly darken the final color, which is normal and expected.

Common Results

  • In most cases, chips are dramatically reduced in visibility.
  • From a few feet away, repairs typically blend very well.
  • Up close, depending on the damage depth and color, some texture or color shift may remain.

Best Practices for the Best Outcome

  • Follow each step carefully—rushing leads to noticeable repairs.
  • Practice on a smooth surface first to learn paint flow and dry times.
  • Use Cutting Creme after curing to smooth and shine the repair.
  • For perfection-level blending, spray cans or professional application may be the better choice.

Find your perfect match.

Instantly find your vehicle's exact color. Or, enter color keywords and browse all options for your vehicle.
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For small chips & scratches

Customized Color Paint Pen

Repair tiny chips and scratches with precision. Perfect for small nicks from rocks or door dings, the fine tip applicator makes it easy for beginners to achieve a clean, factory-quality finish.

From $19.95

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For Medium-sized Chips & Scratches

Customized Color Paint Bottle

Tackle medium-sized scratches and chips with our Customized Color Paint Bottle. The built-in applicator brush provides smooth, controlled coverage, while the included basecoat delivers a perfect factory match in your custom paint color.

From $34.95

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For larger areas & panel resprays

Customized Color Spray Can

Cover larger areas with a smooth, professional finish using ourcustomized color Spray Can. Designed for hoods, fenders, and larger scratches, this product provides consistent spray coverage and factory-matched color accuracy.

From $29.95

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For large repairs & total resprays

Customized Color Professional Size Paint

When your repair job calls for more than a touch-up, step up to our professional-size automotive paints. Available in Pint, Quart, or Gallon sizes, these paints are ready-to-spray using an airless spray gun.

From $599.95

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For small chips & scratches

Customized Color Tricoat Paint Pens

Repair tiny chips and scratches with precision. Perfect for small nicks from rocks or door dings, the fine tip applicator makes it easy for beginners to achieve a clean, factory-quality finish. Each order includes a basecoat and a midcoat pen.

From $34.95

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For Medium-sized Chips & Scratches

Customized Color Tricoat Paint Bottles

Tackle medium-sized scratches and chips with our Customized Color Paint Bottles. The built-in applicator brush provides smooth, controlled coverage, while the basecoat & midcoat deliver a perfect factory match in your custom paint color.

From $64.95

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For larger areas & panel resprays

Customized Color Tricoat Spray Cans

Cover larger areas with a smooth, professional finish using our customized color basecoat & midcoat Spray Cans. Designed for hoods, fenders, and larger scratches, this product provides consistent spray coverage and factory-matched color accuracy.

From $59.95

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For large repairs & total resprays

Customized Color Tricoat Professional Size Paint

When your repair job calls for more than a touch-up, step up to our professional-size automotive paints. Available in Pint, Quart, or Gallon sizes, these paints are ready-to-spray using an airless spray gun. Each order includes a basecoat & a midcoat paint.

From $1,299.95

Shop Now