Rock Chips (Tangerine Splash Pearl)

The "statement" is correct.

You will never match "exactly" any touch up repair on a tri-coat paint. My guess is however your going to try to do it anyways. So here is my recommendation.

Barely apply the paint - as in hardly nothing. Let it get tacky, lightly wipe it with your finger. Then let it dry. Do this repeatedly until your getting the idea it's as best as it's going to get. Once your as satisfied as you think you'll be with it walk away from it. Because if you stare at the area too long, your not going to be happy with it. You will then strip what paint you have already applied and try to do it again. Only making a bigger mess than you had to start with.

Tri-coat is lovely to look at. But don't think a touch up paint will ever be a perfect/exact match.

 

Also, heads up as you may be interested. They do make "clear" front end masks and you can find a few places on the net which sell them. If your worried about rock chips in the future, you may look into it. Only a couple hundred dollars on average, but have it installed as it's a bear to do it yourself. I've put on a couple in the past, and the newer your car, or the newer the paint the easier it is to install by whomever does it.

 

When my C took some landscaping debris to the face, and I had to have the bumper and hood repainted, my painter gave me the extra base. It matches really well and where he touched up on the fender isn't noticeable unless you are really inspecting things. I don't know if he would be willing to mix the color only for touch up, but if you make your way out to Campbell area stop by "The Great Auto Paint" and talk to Alex.

 

As to where to get touch-up paint: any dealership parts department will have it. I'd concur, you'll never be able to do a seamless repair; just keep it as surgical as you can, just fill the chip, and don't fuss too long, it dries fast. Let it sit an hour, do a second coat.

And don't be stampeded by that "three stage process": it's not going to be perfect. Put on the color coat, and my 2 cents: if it comes with color coat at one end and clear coat at the other, don't do the clear coat. I've found it tends to lift the color coat. You could experiment on an unseen area though, see how it goes.

Front bumper chips are often but not exclusively due to following too close.

 

Arrrgh!

I just ran into this one... Apparently Toyota does not produce touch-up paint for this color. I thought they did, since they were happy to sell me a tiny bottle of it for $14. Part number checks out, code 4X3 "Tangerine Splash Pearl."

But there is no orange paint in the applicator.

Instead, it is clear scratch sealer. I guess they didn't think they could get close enough so they didn't try.

 

Could it have the color at the other end? Is it pen style?

 

@Mendel Leisk

No, it's got a single product in it. Brush-cap applicator with a scratch-follower tip, and an abrasive prep tip on the outer cap. So paint can be applied two different ways, but there is only one paint within.

It isn't completely clear, it has a very slight warm tint to it, which I reckon is about right for the pearlescent effect.

I never wanted pearl paint in the first place, but that was the only way to get orange.

There's a local shop with a sampling colorimeter, and they produce touch-up pens while-you-wait. I'll take it around there tomorrow and get one made up. I know it'll never match (thanks pearl!) but it'll be better than putting warm clearcoat over primer.

 

Did you (vigorously) shake the pen? Pigment and the sparkly bit will often settle to the bottom if left on the shelf too long.

If you do end up having it custom mixed, try to keep it in the refrigerator. It will last longer and it won't run/drip when you apply it cold.

Also this place sells 2x 1/2oz. pens for about $32:
Automotive Touch Up Paint from PaintScratch - Order Pro Grade Paint - PaintScratch.com

Another place that sells the full kit for $60:
The World's Leading Car Touch Up Paint System by Chipex

Both have your color and claim or guarantee it will match.

Videos on how to apply:

(F.F. to 5:00)

 

@frenzee Thanks! I bought the paint pens. This stuff in the Toyota penbottle is definitely a clear effect sealer. Even the label shows a very hazy orange effect- not real pigment. I've dealt with aged touch-up applicators before.

I reckon the combination of the Paintscratch paint pen plus this clearcoat will do it right. Cheers!