Paint Applicator: Beyond Horrible

[RayCJ]

I purchased a tube of Mazda touch-up paint and the applicator is beyond horrible and totally unusable. The applicator is a thin metal tube with a spring-loaded metal ball. Its similar to a mechanical pencil tip but with a ball point at the end.

After adequate shaking followed by dozens (if not hundreds) of attempts on a test area under the hood, the paint will not flow adequately. The ball point can actually damage the surface. I tried every conceivable technique to make this thing work.

Pure JUNK! If you purchase this, just puncture the can in a way you'll be able to plug the hole and just use an art brush to apply the paint. -Trust me. The built-in applicator is totally useless.

Ray

 

[PimTac]

The trick is to test it first on something else. You have to depress the ball at the end to get the paint flowing.

I've never had a perfect touch up applicator. The old Mitsubishi ones were pretty good but if you let them sit for a few years they became useless.

Keep this pen inside the home.

 

[Bailes1992]

We get them from Halfords in the UK. Push the pen on the body and then squeeze the pen and the paint will flow out.

 

[The_Nuke]

I have found using my own paint brush(es) or other applicator always ends up better than the brush or pen tip on those touch-up paint pens.

 

[grampi]

Next time I get touch up paint, I will be using Dr. Colorchip...these pens from the dealership are useless...

 

[RooflessVW]

 

[Schmoe]

Dr. colorship is the bomb!!!!

 

[PimTac]

The manufacturer has to consider shelf life and usage when designing these applicators. Regarding these pen style types, I find them useful for small nicks and chips. A scratch or anything big is better suited with a brush applicator. Sometimes having both is a good way. These pen type applicators will leave a blob of paint in a chip and you can use the brush to smooth and spread that blob around a bit.

 

[atikovi]

The ones from VW are pretty bad too. Some kind of fiberglass tip you have to point down to get anything out. Used to be $2 for touch up bottle of paint with a brush in the cap. Now it's $15-20 for a useless pen.