Hi all, OEM touch up paint is no longer available for my 2005 Highlander. It appears there are two aftermarket suppliers of touchup paint - Dr. ColorChip and Touch Up Direct. From a search it seems like several folks here have had decent success with Dr. Color Chip but has anyone tried or done a comparison between that and Touch Up Direct?
Dr.Color Chip vs. Touch Up Direct
- Thread starter NissanMaxima
- Start date
https://drcolorchip.com/
What a ripoff. $45 for touchup paint that is $10 or $15 a bottle at a dealer. Unless this is some late model or high dollar car, go to a site like https://paintref.com/index.shtml
find the color of your car, then match it with a later model car that is likely still available. Doesn't even have to be the same make. Tesla wanted like $40 for a touch up kit for my car. No thanks. I have a whole box of old bottles and found a "close enough" match from a Ford bottle.
What a ripoff. $45 for touchup paint that is $10 or $15 a bottle at a dealer. Unless this is some late model or high dollar car, go to a site like https://paintref.com/index.shtml
find the color of your car, then match it with a later model car that is likely still available. Doesn't even have to be the same make. Tesla wanted like $40 for a touch up kit for my car. No thanks. I have a whole box of old bottles and found a "close enough" match from a Ford bottle.
I've had great luck with Dr. ColorChip. Use per the instructions and you're able to level the touched up area to that of the original paint surface. If you simply blob on "standard" touch up paint, the color may match but you'll always have a little paint chip dent or raised paint dimple.
Soon after buying our Reef Blue Passat I got sprayed with small stones from an oncoming gravel truck. When I got home it made me sick - a weeks old car with 20 or 30 pin head sized chips. I ordered a Dr. ColorChip and spent a couple of hours in the garage one afternoon and was able to make those rock chips DISAPPEAR. Be patient, sometimes you have to work a chip more than once to make it fully DISAPPEAR.
My only caveat is that if you're trying to "catch up" on an older car that's gotten more than its fair share of rock chips, too many to count and rock chips packed with old wax, don't bother. IMO, Dr. ColorChip is best suited for use on a newer car with "flawless" paint, one where you're trying to stay ahead of the game and fix them when you get them.
Scott
Soon after buying our Reef Blue Passat I got sprayed with small stones from an oncoming gravel truck. When I got home it made me sick - a weeks old car with 20 or 30 pin head sized chips. I ordered a Dr. ColorChip and spent a couple of hours in the garage one afternoon and was able to make those rock chips DISAPPEAR. Be patient, sometimes you have to work a chip more than once to make it fully DISAPPEAR.
My only caveat is that if you're trying to "catch up" on an older car that's gotten more than its fair share of rock chips, too many to count and rock chips packed with old wax, don't bother. IMO, Dr. ColorChip is best suited for use on a newer car with "flawless" paint, one where you're trying to stay ahead of the game and fix them when you get them.
Scott
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All I use right here -
https://www.automotivetouchup.com/?...p2PDbqO2iTAYGKSe12aNIdJveWdBYz4BoCTfIQAvD_BwE
https://www.automotivetouchup.com/?...p2PDbqO2iTAYGKSe12aNIdJveWdBYz4BoCTfIQAvD_BwE
I buy it on Amazon for about $8.00 per bottle and it works great.
Use a Local auto paint store.
Have you tried going to Napa? My local one can mix the correct paint color by using the code on the doorjamb.
A belated reply to everyone here for all the great input. I ended up ordering the Dr. Color Chip system. I had a coupon code they gave me so that helped. The paint they sent was more on the brown side rather than the Sonora Gold of my Highlander but I sent them photos and they are sending out a new bottle of paint that they say will be adjusted. When I tried the paint, I did like their system of applying the paint, pushing it into the chipped area and then using their solvent to basically "mill" it down to the level of the paint. It seems this is their claim to fame. I've used regular touch up paint as mentioned by others and it has been difficult for me to get just the right amount of paint into the chipped area and not leave a raised blob. I'll report back once I get the new kit. Thanks again!
I didn't think of NAPA. I ended up ordering the Dr. Color Chip system before I spotted this. Good to know.
That's a great story Scott. I imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for your new car to get sprayed by gravel. I think you should make a YouTube video on proper application of the paint! I hear what you're saying about catching up on an older car. This used 2005 Highlander I got is in amazing condition with far less chips on the hood or even door dings than you would expect a 20 year old car to have. I want to fix the worst of them.
Do it! Just make sure you thoroughly de-wax the paint before doing so. Use a paint cleaner/prep of your choice. FWIW, I use citrus-based P21S Total Body wash. I suggest using a soft toothbrush on the chips so you remove any embedded dirt or wax. It can take an hour just to make a half dozen chips truly disappear. I've spent an hour reworking a single uncooperative chip - usually because I didn't fully de-wax it. You have to be thorough and patient. Good lighting is essential.
Scott
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I have a few chips from door hits on my wife's X5, and have been looking at paint touchup kits, to fix these spots. This discussion is helpful, to see what experience others have had.
In looking at these kits, one thing I notice is the lack of clear coat paint, in almost all of these kits. If anyone with any paint experience can help me out here. Is it not important to have clear coat over the top of a touchup, to keep it looking the same?
In looking at these kits, one thing I notice is the lack of clear coat paint, in almost all of these kits. If anyone with any paint experience can help me out here. Is it not important to have clear coat over the top of a touchup, to keep it looking the same?
I have used doctor color chip for years with great results. I like that NO clear coat is needed.....it is already mixed into the paint....
I know this thread is a year old, but another vote for Dr. Color Chip. I’ve used their product on three vehicles and have been satisfied.
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