So, found my first paint chip of consequence today. about an inch above the bumper/hood seam on the hood. Clear to the aluminum.

Anyone have any suggestions/tips/tricks to best touch it up?

 

A traditional method is to use a matchstick (the cardboard kind) and try to build up thin layers. Don't use the little brush inside the cap of the touchup paint, as it will leave a big glob of paint that will be too high.

Griot's Garage ( www.griotsgarage.com) sells some touch up sticks that may do a better job.

 

Don't use the match sticks, they are too flexible. Use a toothpick with a fine point and work slowly.

 

There was an extremely detailed and exacting set of instructions posted on H-A.net a while ago. Anyone remember the author or save a copy? It recommended, among other things, the use of a pencil with a disc of sandpaper glued to the eraser to scuff up the spot, a toothpick to apply the paint in thin, multiple layers, and covering the work area with cardboard boxes to prevent dust contamination.

 

CoralDoc

I believe these are the instructions you were thinking about:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/painchiprep.html

 

I have heard that a product called langka works great (from the z3 folks) for touching up small spots on your paint. I haven't tried it yet but was planning on trying it on a couple of spots that I found on my right fender.

The web site is called http://www.langka.com/

 

Here is another detailed on that may help you out:

http://www.carcareonline.com/paint_chips.html

 

Thanks for the links! The Langka product sounds intriguing, but I'm a skeptic. ANyone out there with first hand experience with it?