Best touch up paint method

Ok, so was detailing my Super White Taco yesterday and it was so dirty I didn't notice at some point earlier in the week someone backed into my bumper and took a section of paint off. Damages goes all the way to the metal. It's a smallish spot, less than 1".
I'm really pissed (duh).

What is the best paint touch up method you guys have used?
I'm thinking of getting a touch up and clear coat pen from Toyota and hit it with some wet sanding to smooth it out. I want it as close to perfection as possible but hope to avoid spending too much for professional services.

I'll post a picture when I get one.

I'm hopinh because it's white it's an easier fix.

 

Bump

 

Google "Kevin Tetz chip repair" (or scratch repair). I've used this method with excellent results. Only thing I do differently is to ditch the paint brush and use the cardboard end of a match cut at an angle as a 'brush'. Only put enough color to match and hide the metal and then fill with clear. Then finish per the video...

 

Here is a picture from this morning.
Everything has been cleaned off. So all the markings are where paint has been removed.

I feel like this is going to be challenging to "fix" if I'm looking for a 100% perfect job. I could get a pen and go over it or brush on paint myself but honestly it's not going to look smooth or very good I don't think.

 

If it was only the small chip (to the right in the photo) you could do it yourself, but the scratches to the left will not come out good if you do it yourself. Better have it done professionally and pay the couple hundred bucks, than to fix it yourself and never like it.

 

Good advice. I am going to have someone take a look at it this week and give me a quote.
I don't want this bumper rusting on me at all in the future.

 

^^ Exactly as Boer said. An area that size with touch up paint would end up looking worse than it does now.

 

You could buy a take off super white rear bumper off of a 2015 for $100.

That's what I would consider instead of more expensive paint repair.

 

This is true. I'm sure someone it getting rid of theirs to put in a fab bumper.

 

OEM bumpers are low value items for most of TW who find them useless, so it really makes a lot of sense to buy take offs.

Front bumper covers, chrome grills, rear bumpers - you could buy all 3 for $250 and half the time the front bumper cover will include fog lights and bezels, and the rear bumper the OEM tow receiver.

 

What about paint matched Line-X?

 

Up to you, really.

It'd be a different texture so not sure that wouldn't bother you a little - also, that metal is super thin on those OEM rear bumpers, and easily dented or bent. Keep that in mind that the LineX may look better, and look better longer than the flimsy steel bumper it's attached to.

 

Ok guys so what should I do?

Quote for a fix is $425. The whole bumper has to be repainted.

1. Fix it
2. Leave it until it rusts then deal with it - and tuck so money away in the meantime.
3. Fab bumper
4. Line-X in white
5. Buy a take-off from someone else

What I like about option 3. is it really doesn't cost that much more. Plus it will protect me more in the future. Although I don't know how much it will protect me if I'm rear ended. I would also need one that allows me to access/use my hitch which might be more expensive.

 

Buy touch-up paint and experiment with fixing the scrapes on this bumper while you figure out one of the other options listed. That way you can learn what will and will not work for chips in the paint on another part of the truck and it will keep you from feeling like you are in a rush to make a decision on another option.

For me, when I have a paint chip that needs to be fixed I usually use a toothpick for the real small crevices. If it is a little larger, put a dab of paint in the middle of the chip then use a toothpick to drag the paint to the edge of the chip. Do that a few times and you can buildup the paint to close to the height of the surrounding paint.

 

I've been looking at fab bumpers that still allow me to use my hitch. Very expensive but they really only cost 2 bumper repaints. So its really good insurance.

This is a good idea. I'm not wanting to put up any money to fix right now. Need to think about it.

 

Update: A couple of weeks ago I got my paint pen from Amazon and started to work on fixing this damage. I cleaned the area very well and basically was going to try the method of liberally applying the paint in the scratches and knicks so that it was above the level of the factory paint. All went well, paint matches great. Then I tried to hit it with a scratch compound (McGuires Scratch X 2.0) in attempts to "buff" it all down to a smooth level.

It didn't work so good. Compound was not strong enough to smooth and level out the paint (to be expected, I guess). I tried doing this with a 103 degree fever so I gave up quickly lol. Last week I had rotator cuff surgery. When I'm healed up I'll try to either wet sand it and polish it or try to buff it down. I'll post how it goes and I won't do it with a fever so I'll care enough to take pictures.

Even sloppily painted it looks better than scratched up. Gotta love super white!

 

...does toyota use clear at all for the super white? I heard they don't.

 

Clear is mixed with the white before it is put on.

 

hmmm....do you happen to know if they put the paint on before or after they put chipguard on the rocker panel/under door panels? Trying to figure out the best course of action. Not sure of that's the metal there in the picture of just the primer...Couple options i've been thinking about, not sure what the best course of action is.
1. fill in gouges with touch up paint and clear (brush style), wax
2. remove a larger area of paint by sanding, then hit it with primer, paint, then chipguard?

 

Bump. Any suggestions?