Before you start, ensure that the area is clean of any debris. For glossy surfaces, dulling it with sand paper from medium to fine grit is recommended. This will allow proper adhesion when the surface comes in contact with the touch up paint. If you are using an aerosol can for your touch up needs, we recommend masking any areas that don’t need the touch up. Note that the purpose of touch up paint is to cover small areas of abrasions and scratches, rather than covering large areas. Remember that it is also ok to test on an inconspicuous area of the furniture to practice the process of the touch up.

Touch Up Paint in Aerosol Cans

Ensure to shake the aerosol can for a minimum of one minute to where you can hear the mixer ball rattle. There is possibility that the gloss a color of the paint will differ if the aerosol can is not shaken properly. When you are spraying, hold the aerosol can upright, ten to twelve inches from the surface. Mist the area as you pass it until there is a smooth continuous layer of wet looking paint. Now allow it to dry for five minutes and continue to add another coat of paint. Make sure to shake the aerosol can often between coats to maintain color accuracy. Once finished, you can store the can for future use. Flip the Aerosol can upside down and spray until clear gas is present. This will empty the valve to prevent drying of paint in the spray tip.

Brush On paint

Touch Up Marker

Make sure to always shake the touch up marker for at least one minute. Then remove the cap and let the paint soak up the tip of the marker by pressing the marker a few times on a flat surface. Paint will start to cover the tip allowing you to start your touch up process. If the touch up marker is continuously pressed, it may cause too much paint to be dispensed to the tip. The tip of the touch up marker should only be pressed when additional paint is needed.

Apply the touch up marker on the area with smooth light strokes. Try to avoid disrupting the wet paint for at least two minutes. Once you reach a desired point, cap the touch up marker. If not, the marker will dry out

General Problems

After your touch up and if you’re not satisfied, something may have gone wrong. Use this guideline to help troubleshoot your general problems.

Nonmatching Color

Either the Aerosol can or Touch up Marker was not shaken thoroughly. Pigments in the products must be mixed well to have proper gloss and color.

Flat/Hazy Color

Humidity levels may affect this hazy color. You may need to touch up your product within less humid conditions. The surface of the area may have too high of a heat level.

Streaky Surface

There may be uneven thickness. To solve just apply more coats of paint to help smooth out the surface. For Aerosol cans, try to vary the spray patterns.

Runny Paint

Too much paint may have been applied. Try applying lighter paint coats by increasing the speed of the spray motion. Double check that the environment is at room temperature, low temperature paint may lead to runs.