TUPP Touch Up Paint Pen - The best you can get without repainting!
Q. How can I obtain the best results with my TUPP paint pen?
A. Always start with a clean vehicle. Paint will not stick to dirt or wax. If you are washing your vehicle yourself, use a natural sponge or chamois for best results. Make sure the vehicle is dry. Wipe the area you are going to touch up with a cotton swab dampened with alcohol.
Q. Why does paint sometimes flow out of the sides of the TUPP paint pen when I depress the tip?
A. This may happen if you press the tip too hard on a surface. Remove excess from the side with a shop towel or paper towel.
Q. Does the temperature make a difference when I touch up my vehicle?
A. Yes. Never touch up your vehicle in the direct sunlight. The ideal temperatures are between 18-26C (65-80F).
Q. What if I don't like what I've just done?
A. Place a small amount of paint thinner on a cotton swab. Gently wipe it over the area you just touched up. You can shine up any dulled areas later on with a little wax.
Q. How do I get a high gloss finish?
A. Make sure every coat is dry prior to applying another coat of paint.
Q. How long before I can wash my vehicle?
A. Wait at least 1 day.
Q. How should I store my paint pen?
A. Store the pen on its side and keep it in a cool, dry place. Never keep it in your car.
Q. What is the difference between solid paint, metallic and tri-coats paint?
A. Solids: Solid colours were the first colours to be used on cars, and are still widely used today. They have no metallic or pearl flakes added to the colour. Solid colours look the same from any angle.
Metallics: Metallic colours contain very fine, sparkling metallic flakes. This makes the paint glitter and sparkle. Metallic colours are very popular in all makes and models today.
Tri-Coats or 3 Stage Paints: A tri-coat or 3-stage paint has three different layers: base coat, pearl coat and clear coat. The base coat can be a solid colour or a metallic colour. The pearl coat is a translucent paint with pearl flakes mixed in. The last coat is the clear coat, which is a shiny see through paint. This is also a protective coat from the sun. Tri-Coats show slight highlights of diverse colors when you look at your car from different angles.
Q. I have a metallic green car. Will the TUPP paint pen match the color of my car?
A. Metallic and Tri-Coat paints will always look different touched up versus sprayed on. When spraying these paints, the metallic flakes will spread out and lay down differently. If you touch up these paints, the metallic and pearls will look more condensed, since there is no air behind the painting process. TUPP paint pens are made to the manufactures paint specifications, so the colour match will always be consistently good.
Q. What elements can have a negative effect on my paint job?
A. The worst adversary of your vehicles's paint include the following classes:
Rust: The catalysts for rust on your car are water and salt.
Sunlight: The sun's UV rays are the lead cause of sun damage to your vehicle.
Acid Rain: This means airborne contaminants caused by industrial fall out. These are dissolved in rainfall or in overnight condensation.
Natural Hazards: Examples of natural hazards are dead bugs, wet leaves, water from your sprinklers and bird droppings. All of these have elements in them to eat right through your paint job.
Q. How can I protect the finish of my vehicle?
A. There are many things you can do to take care of your vehicle. Below are a few basic things to do.
1. Always park your vehicle in the shade.
2. Do not park your vehicle under or near trees or factories if possible. Sap or industrial fallout can make marks in your paint finish.
3. Avoid driving on gravel roads; this will chip the finish quickly.
4. While at the petrol station, be very careful not to spill petrol or any other fluids that may damage the paints finish.
5. Wash your vehicle at least once per week with a natural sponge and dry with a chamois to avoid scratching the paint.
6. Put a coat of wax on your vehicle at least every 6 months. For best results, always use wax and apply with a cloth or 100% cotton T-Shirt. Either one of these will not scratch your paints surface. Always apply wax in a shady area.
7. Keep your vehicle covered as much as possible, either in a garage or with a car cover.
8. As soon as you see a paint chip or scratch that is through to the primer or metal, address it immediately. Do this by first cleaning the damaged area with a cotton swab dampened with alcohol. Then touch up the area.