How To

Find Your Vehicle's Paint Code

Locate your vehicle's factory paint code.

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. SUV body panels are generally larger than cars, which can increase paint usage. Primer usually requires the least paint, base coat requires multiple wet coats, and clear coat often requires the most.

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. Primer usually requires the fewest cans, base coat requires multiple wet coats, and clear coat often needs the most. Use panel-based estimates to avoid running out mid-job.

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. Motorcycle parts and helmets are much smaller than car panels, so they typically require fewer cans. Use part-based estimates for primer, base coat, and clear coat.

How to selectively remove paint around the edges of your repair, without removing the paint in the scratch or chip

Tips on how to carefully remove the paint around the edges of your repair, without removing the paint in the scratch or chip.

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. Pickup truck body panels are generally larger than cars, which can increase paint usage. Primer usually requires the least paint, base coat requires multiple wet coats, and clear coat often requires the most.

What Polish Compound Works Well For Touch Up Paint Jobs

Removing fresh touch up paint? Here are some options.

How to prep aluminum or steel before applying touch up paint

Special considerations before priming aluminum or steel

Tricks for Super Small Chips and Scratches

Sometimes, your chip or scratch is so small, that no matter how hard you try, the paint and clear coat is too thick, and you end up removing it all when you try to level it. Here are a few tricks to help in this use case.

How to properly spray aerosol paint, to avoid spitting and splatter

There are a few reasons why an aerosol spray can might ruin your finish with paint splatter. Here's how to avoid that 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

When Should I Apply Primer?

Smart question! The answer depends on how deep the damage is. Use a flashlight to check if your scratch or chip has gone through the factory coating to bare metal or plastic. If it has, you’ll need primer — it’s the foundation that helps your touch-up paint stick, smooth, and last in deeper scratches.

My Final Finish Is Not Glossy or Shiny

A dull, satin, or matte finish on an automotive paint repair is usually caused by clear coat application technique.

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?

How To Apply Tri Coat Paint Properly (with a brush)

The correct order to apply base and mid coats, and how to polish excess away for each layer.

How to Apply Tri-Coat Layer 2 (L2 Mid-Coat), Metallic, or Pearl Finish Paint

Tri-coat and metallic finishes can look darker if flakes in the final paint coats don’t align evenly. A light “control” or “drop” coat helps those flakes settle correctly so the color reflects light evenly and blends smoothly with the original finish.

My paint doesn’t feel completely dry, what can I do?

Paint that doesn't fully cure is usually due to one or more of these 3 things.

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

Painting in High Humidity

Here are some tips for painting when humidity is high

What causes the "orange peel" finish when spraying?

The orange peel effect is an uneven finish that can happen due to several factors

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.

How to Use an Airbrush with ScratchesHappen Paints

An airbrush requires a few extra steps to get good results

Aerosol Clear Coat Cracking (Spider-Webbing or Hairline Cracks)

Clear coat cracking (often called spider-webbing) is usually caused by temperature differences, environmental conditions, or application issues during curing. Heavy coats, improper curing temperatures, or sudden temperature changes can cause the clear coat to crack. Repair typically requires wet sanding and re-coating.

What Sandpaper Grit Should I Use for Car Paint Repair?

The right sandpaper grit for car paint repair depends on which stage of the repair you’re working on — from smoothing primer to polishing clear coat. Each stage has a different goal: leveling, blending, or polishing.

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

The Art & Science of Invisible Brush-On Touch Up Paint Repairs

We test out some touch up hacks from customers

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 to bare metal or plastic, and new primer wasn't applied before painting. This is expected behavior and does not indicate a problem with the paint.