Paint & Color

Why Does the Website Color Swatch Look Different than My Car?

Website color swatches are screen-based approximations and can’t perfectly represent real automotive paint. Always rely on the paint code on your vehicle’s paint code label when ordering, not the on-screen swatch.

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?

How is your paint better than what my local dealer sells?

Is It Necessary to Use Clear Coat?

Yes — clear coat is required for both color accuracy and durability.

What Is a Tri-Coat Color?

Tri-Coat colors, also called three-stage paint systems, use three layers — base, mid, and clear — instead of the usual two (base and clear). The mid-coat adds pearl or metallic depth, and you simply apply base, then mid, followed by clear for a smooth factory match.

What is VOC and why does it matter?

What Are Your Paints Made Of?

ScratchesHappen paints are mixed using PPG and Akzo Nobel professional refinishing systems — engineered to match OEM factory finishes with precision. The same systems trusted by collision repair centers worldwide. Formulation varies by kit format and color.

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 Should You Wait to Wash and Wax Your Car after a Paint Repair?

After a paint repair, avoid washing the vehicle for the first 72 hours, wait up to two weeks before washing when possible, and avoid waxing or automatic car washes for 30 days while the paint and clear coat fully cure. Gentle hand washing is usually safe after about 3 days, but waiting longer helps the finish harden more completely.

When to Brush and When to Spray

Choosing between a brush-on bottle kit and a spray aerosol kit comes down to three quick checks — scratch size, depth, and location.

Drying Time Summary

Recommended drying and curing times for each step of your touch-up repair, for both bottle and aerosol kits — with adjustment guidance for cooler or more humid conditions.

When to Use Adhesion Promoter on Plastic Parts

For new replacement plastic parts, medium to large bare plastic repaints, and whole flexible plastic parts — adhesion promoter helps keeps paint stuck to plastic. For small spot repairs over exposed plastic or metal, you don't usually need it.

Why Primer Color Matters for Your Touch-Up Color Match

The primer underneath your touch-up paint affects how the final color reads — especially for bright reds, oranges, yellows, and other transparent pigments. Here's why, and how we match the right primer to your color.

When Primer Matters for Your Touch-Up Paint Repair

The foundation under your automotive factory paint, when your repair needs you to rebuild it, and why what's underneath affects what shows up on top.

Glossy vs. Matte Clear Coat

Most factory body panels are glossy, but matte clear can show up on some motorcycles and some uncommon full-body matte finishes. Your kit ships with the right one automatically — here's what to know about the difference.

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. Use this hub to find the right answer for your clear coat question.