|
1. For repairing "road rash" or individual chips or scratches! Clean the Area (paint chips or deep scratches): Use Langka PrePaint (included in the Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit) to clean the area and provide bonding agents for the touch up paint.
2. Fill the Chips or Scratches with touch up paint: [NOTE: if your paint is a Metallic Paint, or if it is a Scratch you are wanting to repair, you may want to use our alternative method called the Squeegie Method, or the Smear Method] . For Non-metallics, simply apply manufacturers touch-up paint [OR order paint from us directly] to the chip or scratch. Use a Microbrush (available in our Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit) , toothpick or match stick. Allow the touch up paint to dry to the touch - typically 2 hours up to 4 hours. (NOTE: European vehicles: 2 hours, USA vehicles: 4 hours, Japanese vehicles: 4-24 hours, Langka Touch up Paint : 24 hours). This will leave the typical "blob" of touch-up paint visible on the surface as diagrammed. Apply 2nd or 3rd coat if necessary. For a faster method (5 minutes), click here.
3. Remove the Blob of Paint: Wrap a smooth, clean, tightly woven cotton cloth (available in our Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit) around the enclosed "plastic card". SHAKE WELL and apply The Blob Eliminator generously to the flat surface. Rub over the "blob" for 15-30 seconds allowing The Blob Eliminator to quickly penetrate and begin smoothing the "blob" of excess paint. Once the touch-up paint blob begins to appear on the cloth, begin rubbing lighter until the BLOB is gone and the paint is left inside the chip/scratch. Lightly hand-buff to remove any residue on the vehicle immediately with a clean cloth or microfibre towel. NOTE: IF the paint pulls out of the chip or scratch, OR if the paint color seems to dull, you may want to try our Squeegie Method.
4. Final Step: Seal the repaired area with LANGKA Paint Sealant (included in the Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit).
OUR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
for all our Paint Chip and/or Scratch Repair Products.
-
The Blob Eliminator is designed for ALL MODELS of Vehicles from 1990 to Current Year Models
-
For MODELS from 1965-1989, you should test this product first (see # 4 Below). -
For MODELS from 1920-1964 Do NOT use this product if the vehicle has the ORIGINAL paint.
-
IF the vehicle has been repainted, test this product in an inconspicuous area first
(1) Repairing Paint Chips (scroll down)
(2) Repairing Deep Scratches
(3) The Five Minute (faster) Method
(4) How To Test The Blob Eliminator
(5) Repairing Light Surface Scratches
(6) Rust Problems
(7) YOUR Paint Code Color Identification and Location
(8) Quick Review
(9) Suggestions
(1) REPAIRING PAINT CHIPS
note: For repairng a DEEP SCRATCH, the method of applying the paint is a bit different from chips. Click here to view.
It is best to work on your vehicle in a shaded area...not direct sunlight. Manufactures touch up paint can be purchased for $5-$10 from your local auto dealership or an auto parts store (Napa, PepBoys, AutoZone, etc). IF you are going to use any other paint, i.e., paint mixed for you by a body shop, or from a internet paint supplier, you need to let the paint dry overnight or longer. These paints are NOT the best paint to use because they are very "soft" and can take days to dry. Manufactures touch up paint are the BEST paint to use as the dry harder, faster and retain their shine and the repair last indefinitely. If you are having a hard time finding your paint color, call us with the Make,Year, Model, Paint Code and the basic color red,blue,green, etc). We may be able to make it for you.
Step 1:
1. Cleaning the area
Step 2:
1. Applying the touch up paint
2. Drying Time
Step 3:
3. Removing the excess paint
Other Considerations:
A. Cloth Selection
B. The Process Itself
C. Clear Coat Application: Optional
D. Sealing the Repair
STEP 1: Cleaning the Area
It is preferred to use Langka PrePaint to clean the chip or scratch of wax or other contaminants. Rinse and dry area to be repaired. If rust is an issue, CLICK HERE.
STEP 2:
1. Applying Touch up Paint
Apply the touch up paint as "surgically" as possible using a Microbrush (less paint applied results in less paint to remove which results in less rubbing, and that is a "good" thing). The idea is to get the paint on so it can begin to dry. If you accidentally drip paint on the vehicle, just wipe it off with a cloth and remove the "smeared" paint with The Blob Eliminator then or later. Remember, all liquids, including paint, will "shrink" as they dry, so applying a 2nd or 3rd coat may be required, especially if the chip is "deep". Just keep re-applying layers until you get a raised area of touch up paint.
2. Drying Time Issues:
Drying time VARIES depending on the temperature (especially the metal's temperature), relative humidity and the type of manufactures touch up paint you use. For example, the temperature in Phoenix, AZ in the summer is much different than NY city in the winter. Another example is Honda's paints which are slow to dry, drying times can be days. Generally, we recommend 2 hours up to 4 hours as a time frame (at about 70 degrees air temperature). When removing the excess paint IF you find the paint is coming off too quickly or being removed from the chip itself, you will need to let the paint dry longer. Be sure to use a smooth, clean cloth i.e., available in our Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit.
STEP 3: REMOVING THE EXCESS PAINT
Removing the "excess paint" is simple, but requires a bit of "finesse" in some cases. Remember, The Blob Eliminator will ONLY affect the manufactures touch up paint....NOT the OEM surface (original painted surface from the factory). DO NOT USE on vehicles painted prior to 1965 and IF the vehicle has been repainted, test first. IF concerned, test this process in an inconspicuous area to better understand this process if you desire or if the "fear factor" is an issue.
The included "plastic card" is designed to provide a flat surface as you rub over the blob of excess paint and to prevent "dipping" into the chip as best as possible. However, it can get in the way of viewing yourl work as it smooths down the blob of paint and you can't feel the "blob" under the card very well. For many users, it works great and you should try using it initially. However, you can wrap the cloth around your index finger, apply LANGKA Blob Eliminator and rub over the blob. The advantage of using your finger is that you can both see the "work-in-process" and you can feel the blob especially as it begins to smooth down. In both cases, it is critical that the cloth be smooth on the card or your index finger. Wrinkles or creases will cause the cloth to "dip" into the chip and wipe out the touch up paint. No big deal, just start over. Again, The Blob Eliminator will not affect the OEM surface.
IF you remove the paint from the chip OR are unhappy with the "texture"...you can always use LANKGA Blob Eliminator to wipe out the rest of the paint remaining in the chip...and simply start over by applying touch up paint and repeating the process! You may want to try another method, click here to review.
A. CLOTH SELECTION (Cloth included in the Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit)
A clean smooth cotton cloth is required, i.e., NOT a terry cloth or anything that does not have a smooth surface. We recommend an old bed sheet, pillow case because the material is tighter woven as compared to a T-shirt material. Be sure the cloth is large enough so you can wrap it around the blue card and hold the card and cloth securely. Again, be sure the card/cloth surface is smooth (wrinkle free).
B. THE PROCESS ITSELF
When you first start rubbing over the paint with either the wrapped plastic card or your index finger, you need to apply relatively firm pressure in a "back and forth" (not circular) motion. When you see the paint beginning to smooth down (it will begin to appear on the cloth), then begin rubbing more lightly. This is where the "finesse" issue takes affect. Some prefer to take one "stroke" at a time when the paint removal process is getting towards completion in order to better judge when to stop the process. Once the removal process is completed, simply take a smooth cloth to wipe off any residue or film that may have developed.
C. CLEAR COATING the Repair: Optional
It is NOT normally necessary to do this, but IF the chip is large and the remaining paint in the chip appears "dull" (this can happen with some metallic colors), you will need to apply clear coat to the repaired chip. Some paint manufacturers provide two bottles, the paint and a clearcoat and the following applies as well. There are two (2) methods we recommend.
1. The Two Step Method: After following Steps 1,2,3 above you may clear coat the repair if desired. Clear coat applications requires a microbrush . Simply dip the brush into the clear coat solution and wipe the brush on the inside of the container to remove excess clear coat from the brush. You are only trying to "surgically" apply a very light coat to restore the shine and provide UV protection to the larger repaired areas. You do not want to apply a blob of clear coat. (IF you apply a blob, you can remove the blob of clear coat with LANKGA...but it is best to be as "surgical" as possible). You may want to have your kids do this...better eyesight and all. TIP: rest your hand on the vehicle to stabilize your hand during this application.
2. Another more popular method for using clear coat is this: Mix the paint and clear coat in a 1:1 ratio (using a paper ketchup cup from a local fast-food restaurant for mixing in). Apply as directed. Allow to dry, then remove the excess "mixture" if necessary with The Blob Eliminator.
D. SEALING THE REPAIR
LANGKA Paint Sealant is used to seal the repaired chip or scratch. It provides UV protection and enhances the shine. Just wipe on, let dry, and the wipe off the area.
You're done! You may also wax the area 24 hours after completing the repair.
(2) REPAIRING "DEEP" SCRATCHES
There are two methods and it is your choice which one you decide to use.
Method 1: The SQUEEGIE Method.
This method is extremely good for Deep Scratches OR Metallic paints OR paints that seem to dull or loose their shine OR if you keep pulling the paint out of the scratch. It is very simple to do.
1. Clean the chip or the scratch using LANGKA Pre Paint
2. Fill the Scratch with Paint: Apply a drop of the touch up paint using a Microbrush to the end of the scratch (or chip), then use the plastic card's edge to "squeegie" the touch up paint down the length of the scratch (keeping the edge on the surface of the vehicle. It's sort of like spreading butter on toast). You have now filled the scratch with paint, and in this process will have also spread (smeared) paint on both sides of the scratch or chip. Again, at this point, you will have wet paint in the scratch and smeared paint on both sides of the area. Not to worry! :-)
3. Removal of Paint: While the smeared paint is still wet, wrap a clean cloth over your index finger, and apply The Blob Eliminator to the cloth/finger. Rub The Blob Eliminator into the cloth to soak the cloth. Using your finger, carefully wipe off (surgically as possible) and remove the excess "wet" smeared paint from the surface, again, while it is still wet. Try NOT to rub over the still wet touch up paint residing in the scratch or chip. If you do disturb the wet paint in the scratch or chip...just go back to Step 2 and start over. No big deal.
4. Allow the remaining paint that you could not initially remove and the wet paint in the scratch to dry. In 2 to 4 hours, check the scratch to see if the paint has dried and "shrunk" in size. If you wish, you can repeat the steps 2 & 3 above to further fill in the chip with touch up paint to get a more smooth end result.
5. Once the scratch is filled with paint to your satisfaction, and it has dried sufficiently (2 to 4 hours), wrap the plastic card with a smooth, clean, cotton cloth, apply The Blob Eliminator to the cloth/card, and smooth down any remaining paint along the edges of the scratch. IF you did step 3 above well enough, you may not need to do this step.
6. IF you pull paint out of the scratch, just repeat the above steps, be more gentle the next time... this is the "finesse" aspect we mentioned earlier.
Method 2: Designed primarily for Non-Metallic Paints
1. Clean the area with Langka PrePaint.
2. Apply paint into deep scratches using a microbrush. Be as surgical as possible for the following reason. With scratches, when removing the excess paint, the tendency is for the paint to be "pulled" from the scratch...so applying as little-as-possible excess paint on the vehicle reduces the amount of rubbing required (less paint to remove). Be sure to apply multiple coats to build up a "blob" of paint over the scratch. NOTE: Shallow or "light" scratches are normally not deep enough to hold the touch-up paint. We developed our WetSand2000 Light Scratch Repair Kit for quickly removing these light scratches by hand in minutes.
With this method, it is best to let the paint dry at least 12 hours (except German manufacture touch up paints 2 ours is plenty of time) or even days in some cases.
3: Wrap the cloth around the blue card or your index finger, apply The Blob Eliminator and rub perpendicular to the scratch. Use a bed sheet or T-shirt material (clean cotton cloth). More "finesse" is required in this process, and you may remove part of the paint in the scratch as you rub over it. Typically, it takes two to three (or more) attempts at this to do a satisfactory repair. Patience is required when dealing with scratches. Try Method 1 above if you have difficulties
CLOTH SELECTION (Cloth included in the Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit)
A clean smooth cotton cloth is required, i.e., NOT a terry cloth or anything that does not have a smooth surface. We recommend a bed sheet or pillow case because the material is tighter woven as compared to a T-shirt material. Be sure the cloth is large enough so you can wrap it around the blue card and hold the card and cloth securely. Again, be sure the card/cloth surface is smooth (wrinkle free).
CLEAR COATING
Same as with Chip section
PROCESS ITSELF
Same as with Chip section
FINAL STEP: SEALING THE REPAIR:
Same as with Chip section
(3) THE FIVE MINUTE (faster) METHOD :
If time is critical and you don't want to wait 2 hours for the paint to dry, OR you just want to get paint into the chip/scratch, and you are NOT overly concerned about the "smoothness" of the repair you can do this repair in 5 minutes or less. Here's how:
- Clean the chips/scratched area with LANGKA Pre Paint
- Apply touch up paint and while still wet, "smear" the paint with your finger or the blue card over the chip and over the surface of the vehicle to other chips in the area if needed, i.e., finger painting the vehicle. This will put paint in the chip/scratch and speed up the drying time of the paint. Likewise, this will leave more touch up paint on the OEM surface (which will come off quite easily...not to worry!).
- When the paint is "tacky" or "dry" ( a few minutes +/-), wrap your forefinger with a smooth clean cloth, and apply LANGKA Blob Eliminator (shake well) to the cloth. Rub over the areas painted and you can both watch it begin to remove the excess paint and you will "feel" it being rubbed off. Use light pressure when moving over the chip areas and a little bit more pressure where the paint is on the OEM surface. NOTE: if you remove too much paint, just re-do this process being more careful with the amount of pressure you apply with your finger.
- Buff the excess LANGKA from the surface.
- Seal the repair with LANGKA...Paint Sealant
- Remove any paint on your finger with LANGKA and then wash your hands immediately.
NOTE: this will not leave larger chips smooth, but color will be in the chip/scratch to camoflague the damaged area and protect the area from rusting.
(4) HOW TO TEST THE BLOB ELIMINATOR ON OLDER VEHICLES
We recommend testing the Blob Eliminator if you are uncertain if the vehicle has been repainted prior to your owning the vehicle. IF the vehicle has been repainted properly using proper paints, reputable body shops, etc, you will not have any problem with the Blob Eliminator affecting the vehicle surface. To test, just wrap a clean cloth that is of a different color than your vehicle color around your index finger. Apply a small amount of the Blob Eliminator to the cloth, and rub it into the cloth. Then, in an inconspicuous exterior area of the vehicle, i.e, lower rear quarter panel, rub with your finger for 10-30 seconds. IF any color begins to appear on the cloth, STOP. Wipe off any Blob Eliminator residue, and then rewax the area. 99.99% of the time, you will not see any color on the cloth, which means you are safe to use this product, and you can proceed with repairing chips and scratches. Any questions, please call us.
(5) REPAIRING LIGHT SURFACE SCRATCHES in the CLEAR COAT
For complete directions and product information, click here
When we refer to light scratches, we are referring to scratches that are ONLY in the clear coat surface. These light scratches are identified as a "light" scratch if you can NOT get your fingernail to "catch" in the scratch. If your fingernail will not "catch", typically our paint chip/scratch repair may not work since there is "no room" for the paint to stay in. In this case, we developed our WetSand2000 Light Scratch Repair Kit for YOU, and it can all be done by hand. Wet sanding years ago was quite risky, but not with our new technology. Now you can remove all these minor clear coat scratches quickly with LANGKA...WetSand2000 Light Scratch Repair Kit (for professional use only).
Use Step A to try to possibly eliminate the scratch without wetsanding the area. Just apply Step A to a clean, cotton cloth, Terry cloth or Microfibre towel and rubas rapidly as possible in a circular motion. This will take some pressure applied as well. If this product will not remove the scratch, then wet-sanding the area is required. A dual-action orbital buffer is an excellent device ($150) for buffing your vehicle and is an alternative to "hand" buffing when using Step A. IF Step A alone will not remove the scratch, then you'll need to actually wet-sand the area.
Simply wet sand with the enclosed paper to remove the light surface clearcoat scratch. Be sure to limit your "sanding" to the immediate area to be repaired. Then use StepA (rub rapidly in a circular motion and apply quite a bit of pressure) and Step B which are proprietary products to (A) quickly remove the minute scratches caused by wet sanding and (B) seal the repaired areas. It's the only way to eliminate these blemishes quickly. All by hand - no power buffers required (but a buffer make is easier). Kit contains: special paper, StepA and Step B products in a decorative package for complete storage. Typical time (from start to finish) for this repair process is less than 5 minutes.
(6) RUST PROBLEMS
There are two things you can do:
1. Remove the rust using our Prep Pen, an adjustable sanding pen specifically designed for removing rust(available on our order form). The tip can be sharpened to reach tight or small areas.
(7) YOUR PAINT CODE IDENTIFICATION
If you know the paint color and want to find the paint code for your color, Click Here . At the top of this page, just insert if it is a domestic, asian, or european vehicle. Then you'll enter your vehicle model, then year to find the paint colors available. You'll find your color and the associated paint code. IF you can not buy the paint in a local dealership or local auto part store, email us with your Make,Year,Model,Paint CODE, general description of the color (red,blue,green,etc), and we may be able to mix it for you. ($24.95/2oz). For most newer vehicles, you should be able to buy paint locally for $5-$7.
(8) QUICK REVIEW:
In a nutshell you are really doing what our commercial company (IMAC) has been doing for years, but in a slower process with your touch up paint. You are simply putting paint on your vehicle to restore the color and fill the chip as best as possible, then smoothing the excess paint down.... leaving the paint in the chip.
Paint chip/scratch repair boils down to this: Shake-up the paint, and apply it on the chip (for scratches, be more "surgical" with the paint application). If the paint shrinks into the chip/scratch, reapply again. Once a blob is formed, wait 2-24 hours to dry. Then wrap the cloth on the plastic card or your finger, apply The Blob Eliminator and start rubbing pretty agressively at first. Rub lighter as the paint begins to smooth down, using "finesse". Once satisfied, buff off any residue with a microfibre towel . Apply Clear coat if the chip is large or has dulled (described above). Seal the repair with LANGKA Paint Sealant. That's it! You can wax your vehicle within 24 hours.
(9) SUGGESTIONS:
In the future, keep the paint in your glove box and LANGKA COMPLETE PAINT CHIP REPAIR KIT in your garage. When you get a FRESH chip or scratch in the future, just clean the area, apply the paint, let it dry, then remove the excess paint when you get time (2-4 hours)
With LANGKA, it's now that simple to maintain the integrity of your vehicle's painted surface. A child can do this, and so can you! Have no Fear, LANGKA is here!!
|
