FAQ’s

Basecoat is the middle layer of automotive paint structure which is the colour layer. Basically there are 3 layers in car paint structure.

1st layer is Primer which is directly contact to bare metal.

2nd layer is Basecoat which is provide colour appearance.

Lastly finished by Clear coat which is a layer of transparent coat that to protect the Basecoat from UV, weather, and provide glossy finishing.

• Basecoat Metallic - A Metallic Colour requires a Clear Lacquer on top to protect and provide the shine
• Basecoat (Non Metallic) - A straight solid colour mixed in Basecoat requires a Clear Lacquer on top to protect and provide the shine.
• Cellulose (Non Metallic) - A straight solid colour mixed in Cellulose will not need to be lacquered unless you are unhappy with the shine which can be caused by many factors ie damp weather it can bloom or if it is too hot the shine level will be reduced. If this is the case a clear lacquer can be applied.

Grease Removal is a special solvent that thoroughly removes all kinds of wax, oil, grease, silicon, micro dirt and tar. It is important to thoroughly clean the surface as failure to do so may cause the new paint to lift up. It also helps to provide the maximum adhesion for the Basecoat to stick on to the repair surface.  This solvent will not affect the existing original paint.

We use the material from original OEM automotive paint manufacturer.

Clear coat makes the painted surface glossy and shine. It also protects the basecoat colour from UV attack, protecting the colour from fading.

Our paints can last for at least 5 years if stored in cool, dry place.

Our paints have been tested and formulated to last if you really take good care of it. The durability should be the same as original paint.

Our paints can be applied and perform very well on surfaces of metal, plastic, rubber, fiberglass, PU, PP, ABS and wood.

Factory Colour Code is a unique code that shows your car's original colour.
We mix paint base on the colour code you supply only (not the colour name) and to be able to order paint you must know your vehicle colour code. Every vehicle has a factory colour code and the colour code can be seen in several places of your car - depending on the manufacturer, year, and model brand.

Normally you can find the colour code location by refer to your Owner's Manual Book or using our Colour Code Location Guide, you can easily locate your vehicle's colour code.

Click on a make of car from the list below and a new browser window will open showing a diagram where you may find the paint code.
If you still can't find the colour code for your vehicle, or your vehicle is not listed below, or if you still confuse, please contact us with your car detail (make, model and year), then we will show you the right code. Also you could get more advice on colour code if you contact with your local main dealer (they request your vehicle registration number).

ALFA paint code - AUDI paint code - BMW paint code - CHRYSLER paint code - CITROEN paint code - DACIA - DAEWOO paint code - DAIHATSU - FIAT paint code - FORD paint code - HONDA paint code - HYUNDAI paint code - INFINITI - ISUZU - IVECO - JAGUAR paint code - KIA paint code - LANCIA - LAND ROVER paint code - LEXUS - MASERATI/FERRARI - MAZDA paint code - MERCEDES paint code - MINI paint code - MITSUBISHI paint code - NISSAN paint code - PEUGEOT paint code - PORSCHE paint code - RENAULT paint code - SAAB - SSANGYONG - SEAT paint code - SKODA - SMART - SUBARU paint code - SUZUKI - TOYOTA paint code - VAUXHALL/OPEL - VW paint code - VOLVO paint code

We mix paint based on the colour code you supply. Using OEM formulations provided by the original paint manufacturers (using Palinal Car Refinsh softwar system) and mixed manually (99% to 100% accurate). The colour may look slightly different from your car's colour due to sun and or other elements which may of faded your vehicle's paint since it was manufactured.

Therefore we do not guarantee 100% match on your existing paint. In over 95% of cases the colour difference is totally invisible! We always recommend painting a test area first.

We recommend to only using the cellulose thinner in Cellulose paint and Standard Thinner should only be used in Cellulose Primer, and as a cleaning solvent.

The mixing ratio for Cellulose paint recommended is 1 parts paint to 1 parts thinner.

You don't have to be a professional to achieve a showroom finish, you can save a fortune when touching up a slight damage or re-spraying repaired bodywork. The key to effective paint work is preparation and patience.

Ideal temperature for spraying is 70-80F. Ideal humidity should be 50% or less. Test the colour on test match panel before doing any work to your car.

Products needed are: Wet & Dry sand paper, rust treatment, body filler (if required), masking tape, primer, paint, clear Lacquer (if required), and compound.

Surface Preparation
Thoroughly clean area to be repaired with washing up liquid and water and dry completely.
Use a degreaser to remove silicone, tar, wax, grease and other residence before coating
For better results do not apply in direct sunlight.
If sanding is needed: Use 80 to 230 grit wet and dry sandpaper to remove rust or bad surface damage. Then use 320 to 600 grit sandpaper to remove any grit scratches. (If there is a hole which needs repairing, uses a suitable Motip body filler to fill the gap and wait for it to fully dry. After that sand down with an abrasive paper to smooth off the filler ready for primer application)

Primer
Apply Primer to fill all sand scratches. Apply touch up primer over bare metal or plastic 2-3 coats 5-10 minutes in between each coat. Primer can be sanded with 600-800 wet sandpaper in as little as 30 minutes.

If you want to blend:
Then sand the outer edge with 1000 to 1500 wet sandpaper. Clean the sanding dust with plain water and dry well. Touch up paint basecoat colour will cover over 600-800 grit scratches, clear coat will cover up 1500 grit scratches.

Paint Touch Up Application
Thoroughly shake the touch up paint basecoat colour before applying. Apply as many coats necessary to cover the area leaving 5-10 minutes minimum between light coats. Do not wet sand or use prep solvent in between coats of touch up paint or clear coat.

Clear lacquer coat instructions
Please allow 30 minutes after the last layer of base coat colour application to apply touch up clear lacquer coat. Apply 2-3 coats of clear coat using a light dabbing motion waiting 10-20 minutes in between each coat. Be gentle with the brush because you do not want to disturb the undercoats.

The Clear lacquer coat should be dry to the touch in 1-2 hours, but will completely dry overnight. Use rubbing compound once fully dry to bring out and optimum level of gloss. Do not wax the fresh paint for one month.

Surface Preparation
Thoroughly clean area to be repaired with washing up liquid and water and dry completely.
Use a degreaser to remove silicone, tar, wax, grease and other residence before coating
For better results do not apply in direct sunlight.

Loading The Tip With Paint
Shake paint pen tightly capped until the ball rattles freely. Remove the cap and press the spring loaded tip of the paint pen on a flat surface until the paint flows through. You may need to press the tip in a few times for some colours. This process may need to be repeated in between coats. Paint should be tested on a surface before using on your vehicle.

Primer Paint Pen
Apply touch-up primer over bare metal or plastic. Apply paint pen primer waiting 5-10 minutes in between each coat. Apply enough primer to cover the area to be primed. Wait 30 minutes before sanding with 600 to 800 grit wet sandpaper or applying colour. Do not use prep solvent over fresh primer.

Paint Touch Up Application
Thoroughly shake the base coat colour pen before applying. Apply as many coats necessary to cover the area waiting at least 5 minutes between each light coat. Do not wet sand or use prep solvent in between coats of touch up paint. Wait at least one hour before using clear coat.

Clear coat Paint Pen Application
Please allow at least 1 hour after the last coat of basecoat to apply the clear coat paint pen. Apply 2-3 coats of clear coat using a light dabbing motion waiting 10-20 minutes in between each coat. Be gentle with the tip because you do not want to scratch the basecoat layer with the clear coat pen. Wait one day to use rubbing compound to bring out a higher level of gloss. Do not wax the repair for one month.

Surface Preparation
Thoroughly clean area to be repaired with  washing up liquid and water and dry completely.
Use a degreaser to remove silicone, tar, wax, grease and other residence before coating

Basic Sanding
Use 120-320 grit sandpaper to sand out rust, scratches, or bad surface damage. Primer will cover over 120-320 grit sand scratches. Use 600-800 wet sandpaper to sand the area you will use to basecoat. Use with 1000-1500 grit wet sandpaper to sand the blend panel (area that might get some basecoat and will get clear coated). The area to be painted should be dull and smooth.

Masking off Adjacent Panels
Mask off adjacent panels to prevent over spray paint. Use grade 3/4" masking tape and masking paper. Never tape off mid panel or you will see a tape line. Make a line with tape first, then tape paper to your existing tape line. Doubling up newspaper will work fine but paint has a possibility of bleeding through with excessive heavy coats. Use 1 1/2" or 2" masking tape for small areas like tail lights and reflectors. In the case of painting in an enclosed area mask the entire car with plastic sheeting to prevent overspray.

Primer
Shake primer well. Apply aerosol primer spray paint over clean sanded metal or plastic treaded with plastic parts adhesion promoter. Many primer colours are available for better paint coverage. Primer will fill 120-320 grit wet sandpaper scratches. Apply 3 or more coats waiting 5-10 minutes dry time in-between coats. Sand the primer in 30 minutes with 600-800 grit wet sandpaper. Use regular water to clean off sanding dust and dry the area and then replace the dust contaminated masking tape and paper. Do not use prep solvent over the fresh primer. Use a tack rag to pick up lint and dust particles.

Spray Paint application
Thoroughly shake the Holts basecoat colour spray can before applying. Spray a test panel with base coat and clear coat first to compare colour match and coverage. Apply as many medium coats necessary to cover the area waiting 5-10 minutes between each coat. Each coat should appear uniform and dry between each coat. You may gently use a tack cloth between each dry coat of basecoat. Spray light dust coats if a metallic or pearl colour looks too dark. Wait 30 minutes before using clear coat.

Clear coat Spray Paint
Shake aerosol clear coat well. Allow 30 minutes after base coat colour has been applied to apply the clear coat. Apply 3-4 wet coats waiting 5-10 minutes in between coats. Each coat should look wet and glossy but not dripping. Wait one day to use rubbing compound. You may sand out orange peel and light texture, or dust imbedded in the clear coat film with 1500 wet sandpaper and then use rubbing compound to bring out the gloss. Do not wax for 30 days.

Depending on how deep the scratches are, most of the time they can be removed by using a compound. If they are deeper you can use a touch up  custom match paint pot.

We will ship out once the order has been confirmed and payment received. Shipping will usually take 2-5 working days. If you did not receive your order, please contact us.

We do not sell or distribute your details to third parties. Your details are only used for our company's internal records and making your next purchase easier.

Online payment system is powered by PayPal, which is secure.

All prices include free UK Mainland delivery with no minimum order up to 20kgs.

Once the courier has collected your order from us you should receive it within 2 to 3 working days, (note couriers do not deliver on Weekends or Bank Holidays)

Delivery to N. Ireland, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight & Isle of Man:
This is priced at £5.00 on all order up to 2kg.

IMPORTANT NOTE

For orders larger than 2kg outside of UK Mainland, please contact us for more information.

Once the courier has collected your order from us you should receive it within 2 to 5 working days, (note couriers do not deliver on Weekends or Bank Holidays)

For International deliveries please contact us for more detail.

Yes you can cancel your order within 7 days of receipt. You must email us at order@autocustompaint.co.uk first, and then return the products to us UNOPENED and unused in the original packaging and in a saleable condition, excluding custom mixed paint. A full refund (excluding P&P) will then be given. All returns should be sent using an insured postal service.

We cannot refund a custom made product that doesn't match your vehicle (unless the error is ours). We always recommend spraying/painting a test panel prior to application. Therefore we will not accept any liability for remedial works.

Anyone under 18 years is not allowed to buy and use spray paint.