White Touch Up Paint: Tips for the Perfect Finish

In 2023, a survey found that white was the most popular car color in 40 US states (black at second. Gray and silver at third & fourth). The color white has been a steadfast fixture on the top of the color charts for decades. It’s no wonder that automobile companies have created a variety of white shades for their models. TouchUpDirect carries a truly astonishing amount of white touch up paint that are all unique and distinct from each other. Let’s take a closer look at this most colorless of colors. 

What Does a White Car Mean?

You should know what the color of your car is saying about you. A white paint job sends a fascinating message because it symbolizes so many different things. All over the world, the color white can mean anything from purity to death. But what does a white color mean on your vehicle? According to studies, the shade in question can denote discipline and confidence. White cars can also imbue their owners with an aura of fastidiousness and dependability. That has less to do with the meaning behind the color and more to do with the practicality of owning a white car. 

In the olden days, wearing white was a symbol of wealth and status. The archaic “no white after labor day” rule comes from this mindset, with rich folk wearing white in the summer and darker colors in the fall and winter. Wearing white showed that you didn’t have to worry about the messy business of manual labor and could afford to keep your clothes clean. Luckily for you, this is not the case with white cars. 

…Mostly. 

A white car picks up a lot of dirt and detritus on its daily day to day. After a long drive, you could come home in a car looking like a Samoyed who’s been frolicking in a mud puddle.

While they are a little harder to keep clean, white cars hide small blemishes very well. While these little scrapes will still exist on your automobile and the most obsessive part of your mind, such a bright color drowns out the blemishes that have accumulated. A white car might be worth a few extra trips to the car wash for that benefit!

Photo By Grant Ritchie From Unsplash

How To Touch Up Your White Paint

First, you’ve got to get supplied with white touch up paint. To get the right shade, find your paint code. This code allows you to get a perfect color match between the touch up paint and what’s already on the body of your car. For instance: The Jeep Pearl White has PWQ as its paint code. After finding white touch up paint you need, determine how big the size of the scratch is. This will allow you to figure out which touch up paint applicator you’ll need. For scratches the size of a pencil eraser or smaller, you’ll want to use the Pen applicator to fix the damage. For areas the size of a quarter or smaller, a Brush applicator is the recommended fix. For large panels, you’ll want to use Aerosol spray. 

Start out the touch up process by testing your paint on the testing card. You’ll want to include the Clearcoat on the card so you know if you have the correct match. If the damage on your vehicle is showing metal or substrate, put down Primer on the target area. This will allow the paint to stick to the surface of the car. Apply 2 to 3 coats evenly over the damaged area. Allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the Colorcoat. The Colorcoat is the actual color you see on your vehicle. In this case, the white touch up paint means that you have a white car, Again, apply 2 to 3 even coats before allowing it to dry. Finish up with Clearcoat. This top coat protects the touch up paint and gives it a greater luster. You know the drill by now. 2 to 3 even coats with 15 minutes in between. In addition to giving your coat a glossy shine, this layer provides durability. It protects your paint from the sun and everyday contaminants. Wait 48 hours for the Clearcoat to dry before applying any wax or polish.