How to find the right Automotive Touchup Paint AI guide

Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.

What the AI looks for in Automotive Touchup Paint

Paint code
Find the paint code on the door-jamb or VIN label and order that code. Model-year color names are not unique.
Format vs damage size
Use pen or brush bottles for chips, aerosols for areas larger than a coin, and include clear for base/clear finishes. Pens leave blobs on large areas, and aerosols overspray tiny chips.
Damage depth
If the chip is down to metal, prime it first. If there is rust, remove it first. Color alone over bare metal or rust fails quickly.

Brands that matter

  • Dupli-Color: Scratch Fix All-in-1 pens and code-matched aerosols.
  • AutomotiveTouchup: Custom-mixed by code in several formats.
  • ScratchesHappen: Code-matched touchup kits.
  • Dr. ColorChip: A chip-fill system that wipes off excess.

What to avoid

  • Universal color pens.
  • Touching up over rust.
  • Skipping clear on base/clear cars.

Questions

Where is my paint code?

Usually on a label in the driver's door jamb, though it can be under the hood or in the trunk depending on the make.

Decided by claude-opus-5-5 (opus-5-5_g1), knowledge as of 2026-06, generated October 27, 2026. Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge, without web search. How picks are made.

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