Is a week too long to wait before a touchup?

[MattB]

Something hit the hood of my car yesterday pretty hard, and I'm concerned that the chip may have gone down to bare metal (the chip is pretty deep and looks kind of white/grey and the car is KR4 grey, can someone tell me what bare metal looks like?). Anyway, I've ordered a paint touchup pen but it won't be here for a week. Will I run the risk of rust starting within a week?

[Q451990]

Bare metal looks like, well... bare metal. What you describe sounds more like the primer layer. I don't think you have much to worry about. If it does rust a little in the week you can touch it up with a little Loctite Extend (available at Lowe's or Home Depot) for about $5 before you touch it up.

Heath

[MattB]

Bare metal looks like, well... bare metal. What you describe sounds more like the primer layer. I don't think you have much to worry about. If it does rust a little in the week you can touch it up with a little Loctite Extend (available at Lowe's or Home Depot) for about $5 before you touch it up.

Heath

The problem is that my car is pretty much the same color as bare metal (metallic grey), so it's hard to tell. I may just end up having the dealer overnight the paint to me, because then I could get it by tuesday instead of friday...how long does this stuff usually take to dry?

[maxnix]

Temperature and humidity variable.

Sand it and go thin with multiple layers.

[MattB]

Temperature and humidity variable.

Sand it and go thin with multiple layers.

It's going to be somewhat humid and in the 70s-80s for temperature (southern VA). I'm not sure it's something I can really sand though since it's so small that I don't think I could get anything in there without affecting adjacent areas.

[qship96]

Smear a dab of white lithium grease or similar on the spot until you can get the paint. When you are ready to touchup the chip, clean the area by washing with soap/water, then wipedown with alcohol to remove any trace of the grease or wax on blemish.

The covering of chip with grease will prevent oxygen & moisture from reaching the metal, preventing rust/ oxidation.

[MattB]

Smear a dab of white lithium grease or similar on the spot until you can get the paint. When you are ready to touchup the chip, clean the area by washing with soap/water, then wipedown with alcohol to remove any trace of the grease or wax on blemish.

The covering of chip with grease will prevent oxygen & moisture from reaching the metal, preventing rust/ oxidation.

What about putting a dab of wax on it? Would that work as well?

[maxnix]

Yes, that is fine. Just remember to remove with a solvent.

The sanding is to bevel the adjacent paint so by thin layering you can get a good blend and adhesion.

[MattB]

Yes, that is fine. Just remember to remove with a solvent.

The sanding is to bevel the adjacent paint so by thin layering you can get a good blend and adhesion.

Would rubbing alcohol be safe to use as a solvent?

[driverdriver]

Use denatured rubbing alcohol. Its less harmful to paint. Most large pharmacy chains carry both. If you can't find it, talk to a pharmacist.

Also beware that in high humidty-high temperature, rubbing alcohol will vaporize in air before hitting metal. Make sure the metal your treating is cool to the touch.