FAQ’s

Why preclean

Like any painting if you paint over dirt your paint won’t stick.  Unless it is a fresh stone chip there is a very good chance it has dirt and polish in it.  Pre cleaning with our wipes will clean any residue or dirt off.

It is water based won't it wash off?

Like the paint on your house which is water based once dry our paint will not wash off, strong solvent or thinner will remove it for quite some time.  If you use our UV clears over the top you cannot wash it off with anything.  We have heard people say touch up paint washes off from other brands, the truth is no paint washes off, it is more likely not pre cleaned properly.  The only touch’s up that wash off are the coloured polishes.

Metallic, pearl and solid colours

The truth to all this is on a stone chip repair the only thing that matters is the shade of the colour.  In a perfect world we would supply all solid colours of varying shades.  This of course would not fly with most people, for this reason we have metallics and even straight pearl flakes.  But don’t get hung up if your spectro asks you to use a solid colour on a metallic or the other way around, give it a go.  Make sure it is dry before judging.

Colour matching

Our system is designed to save you colour matching, with our mini spectro database and comprehensive well chosen, ever developing range of colours we aim for better that 95% of colours covered in our standard range without any need for additional mixing or tinting.  There will be times when you need it a little lighter or darker, if it is close enough resist the urge to play with it!  If it is not do not be afraid to darken or lighten a little.  Black and white and silver are the best colours to do this with.  Just put a little into the mixing containers we supply and tint away.  Remember let it dry before judging.

Shelf life

Our paint has an indefinite shelf life, it will never need mixing.  In saying that some of the colours can get what we call thixatropic, that is they thicken from standing and not being stirred, it can make them appear to be lumpy.  For this reason it is a good idea to knead the tubes before opening, just to return it to a liquid form.  This affects very few of our colours.

Is it safe/green/healthy

Our paints all water based, there are no DG requirements on them.  Our precleaning wipes are like are strong form of hand sanitiser.  The finishing solution has some automotive grade polishing compound in it.  The only product that is like a full automotive grade paint with all the nasties that come with that is the Pro Clear, being UV cure clear it is isocyanate free of course.

Takes too long to dry

Our paint being water-borne is very fast to dry, a couple of factors can affect this.

1. Wet weather – super high humidity will dramatically slow the paint dry time
2. No airflow – the paint dries by evaporation, if there is no airflow like in the back corner of the workshop this can also slow things down

The solution to both of the above is a blow drier.  A cheap low end blow drier will do wonders.  It is not the heat you are seeking but the airflow.

Matte colours

Matte colour cars are increasing in popularity, many cars also have matte black door frames etc. This has been near impossible to touch up till now, our UV cure matte clear dries completely matte in 30 seconds.

Repair is too dull or repair is not level

Our paint being waterborne is not resoftened by adding another layer, it is not required but if you want to build it up you can.  You can also fill it level with our range of UV clears.  With these clears it is also possible to get matte or gloss finishes

UV cure clears

• Do I need the UV torch – you can either cure the clear with the torch or simply drive it into the sun for a minute or so.
• Can I do it outside – it is possible, shading with your body, even then you will only get a couple of seconds to work it.  We strongly suggest it is done inside.
• Should I use the pro clear – only use this clear if you are confident with a block, sandpaper and a buff, this is the only way to finish it.  It is like a full automotive grade 2k clear.
• Can I use the blending solution over the matte clear – very carefully, each time you touch it with the solution you will make it shinier.