touch up scratch question

[stevejohnson]

Managed to scratch the front wing by dropping something onto it. The scratch is narrow and long. The touch up paint I have is all in German ('Lackstift'), so I don't know whether it is oil-based, but is original Porsche part. The paint is too thick to apply with fine brush. What can I dilute it down with? (White spirit ineffective)
Or should I just leave it to the 'Chips-away' type professionals?

 

[Diver944]

Hi Steve, a picture would help, but for starters what colour is it? How long is it and whereabouts is it? Has it dented the panel at all?

Any scratch that has not penetrated through the clear laquer can be polished out, but if it has gone down to the colour then it will need spraying to effect a perfect repair. Depending on colour,size,location then damage to a wing could need the entire wing to be sprayed.

 

[stevejohnson]

Camera battery died, will have to wait till tomorrow for pic. It is 1.5ins long and less than 1/4in wide. No dent. Down to white undercoat. On the front wing, horizontal part. Guards red. To small to warrant panel respray (until needs doing for another reason), too big and visible to just leave.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: stevejohnson

It is 1.5ins long and less than 1/4in wide. No dent. Down to white undercoat. On the front wing, horizontal part.

In that case I would say it's actually incredibly wide for a scratch but also incredibly short (I was thinking more like 3 feet when you said a long scratch), but that's just me being a pedant [8|]

If it's as wide as that then I would suggest buying an artists brush and just painting it on to seal up the undercoat and prevent water and salt getting in there which will eventually lead to rust and a much bigger repair. Because of the shape of our wings you will be able to get the horizontal part sprayed when you are ready but horizontal panels are the easiest to spot if the paint match is the slightest bit out. Just to add insult to injury an old red paint is the most susceptible colour to fading, so you will more than likely spot a slight difference with the bonnet (unless you have the bonnet and the top of the other wing done to match [] )

If the touchup really is too gloopy to brush then add a few drops of thinners at a time until it reaches the right consistency. Make sure it's kept warm in the house beforehand too and given a damned good shake.