Support and Knowledgebase
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Featured Articles
What Is Your Color Match Guarantee?
We guarantee that our touch up paint will match your vehicle's original finish, or your money back.
Where Can I Find Your Instructions?
ScratchesHappen instructions are available here in our help center.
Unboxing ScratchesHappen Bottle Paint Kits
These short unboxing videos show what’s included in each ScratchesHappen bottle repair kit.
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How To
How to selectively remove paint around the edges of your repair, without removing the paint in the scratch or chip
How to prep aluminum or steel before applying touch up paint
What Polish Compound Works Well For Touch Up Paint Jobs
Tricks for Super Small Chips and Scratches
When should you apply primer?
How to properly spray aerosol paint, to avoid spitting and splatter
Why is my paint lifting or bubbling?
My touch up paint job does not look very smooth. What can I do?
How to get a smoother finish on brush touch ups
My final finish is not glossy or shiny
Application technique is usually the culprit in cases of low gloss. Here's how to fix it.
Can I use other brand primers and clears with your paint?
How can I tell if I have purchased the right touch up paint color?
Verify the color match before applying paint to the vehicle
How do I fix small blemishes in my paint job?
Can this paint be used on brake calipers or in the engine bay?
Which touch up applicator should I use?
My paint doesn’t feel completely dry, what can I do?
Applying Tri-Coat Layer 2 (L2 is a mid coat), Metallic or Pearl Finish Paint
How to Apply a Control (or Top or Drop) Coat for L2, Metallic, and Pearl Colors
How To Apply Tri Coat Paint Properly (with a brush)
The clear coat (or mid coat) is removing the base coat that I just painted on
Too much pressure with the brush, and the solvents in the clear coat or mid coat can remove the new base coat
Aerosol Sprayed Clear Coat is Cracking
Why this happens, and how to fix it
Can I paint more base color over the clear coat I just applied?
Sometimes you need to paint more base color after you've clear coated the repair. Here's how to do it.
Painting in High Humidity
Here are some tips for painting when humidity is high
What causes the "orange peel" finish when spraying?
How to Use an Airbrush with ScratchesHappen Paints
An airbrush requires a few extra steps to get good results
The Art & Science of Invisible Brush-On Touch Up Paint Repairs
We test out some touch up hacks from customers
How to Mask with Tape to Create a Soft Transition Line in Your Paint Repair
Fold over one edge of the masking tape to avoid a hard tape line
What Is “Fisheye” in Paint Repair?
What’s Wrong With My Aerosol Paint Finish? (Quick Diagnosis Guide)
How Much Aerosol Paint Do I Need for a Car?
The number of aerosol paint cans needed depends on the panel size and number of coats applied.
How Much Aerosol Paint Do I Need for a Motorcycle or Helmet?
The number of aerosol paint cans needed for a motorcycle or helmet depends on the part being painted and the number of coats applied.
How Much Aerosol Paint Do I Need for a Pickup Truck?
Estimating aerosol paint for a pickup truck depends on panel size and how much area you’re spraying.
How Much Aerosol Paint Do I Need for an SUV?
Estimating aerosol paint for an SUV depends on panel size and how much area you’re spraying.
Can I Use Scotch-Brite Pads Instead of Sandpaper?
Scotch-Brite pads can substitute for sandpaper on some prep and finishing steps.
When Primer Matters for Your Touch-Up Paint Repair
The foundation under your automotive factory paint, when your repair needs you to rebuild it.
Why Clear Coat Matters for Your Touch-Up Repair
Clear coat is the top layer of the factory paint system — protecting the color and giving the panel its finish.
How to Use 2K Aerosol Clear Coat
Activate the can, shake, and spray within 48 hours. Here's the full procedure plus when 2K is the right call over 1K.
Why Won’t My Touch-Up Paint Stick?
If your touch-up paint is wiping off, sanding off, or “won’t stay,” the most common reason is that the damage/scratch goes right through the factory primer.
Why Is My Aerosol Clear Coat Bubbling?
Heat-driven bubbling in clear coat is fixable — sand back, cool the surface, and reapply in lighter coats.
Why Is My Aerosol Paint Wrinkling?
Wrinkling is fixable — sand back to a sound layer, address the cause, and reapply.
Paint & Color
I found my color on your website, but the color swatch you display looks different than my car. Is this the correct color?
Is it necessary to use clear coat?
What is a tri-coat color?
How is your paint better than what my local dealer sells?
The color code on my vehicle says LRC LKH, but on your web site all I can find is code LKH/1AB/2136. Is this the right color to choose?
What is VOC and why does it matter?
What are your paints made of?
My paint looks blue, not black
Explaining the blue cast of waterborne paint when wet. Don't worry, it dries to the correct color
How soon can I wash and wax my car after a new paint job?
Whether you touch up by brush or aerosol, you need to wait before you hit the car wash.
When to Brush and When to Spray
Which kit do I need?
Drying Time Summary
Here are the recommended dry times for each step of the touch up process.
Glossy vs. Matte Clear Coat
Most factory body panels are glossy, but matte clear can show up on some motorcycles...
General
Where Are You Located?
Where Can I Find Your Instructions?
Professional Instructions
ScratchesHappen Polishing Compound Instructions
Body Filler Kit Tutorial
Aerosol Spray Trigger Tutorial
Find Your Vehicle's Paint Code
How to find out the locations on each brand vehicle where the paint code information is shown.