Have a 21 CX-5 Soul Crystal Red. Only 9K on it. Garaged and obviously not driven that much. Live in the NW so no sanded roads for 90% of the winter, no desert dust storms, few long road trips. Have a 4-5 small chips I was going to touch up and read threads on this. Seems like more chips given the miles than previous vehicles I owned or it could be that they are so noticeable as the undercoat is bright white so very easy to spot them! Was disappointed to discover the paint on this car isn't very durable it sounds like. Not sure if it's just the red or any color on the new Mazdas. I also understand this car they used a tinted clear coat which is part of the reason why the color looks so amazing.

It seems none of the touch up solutions apparently match perfectly (not uncommon with most cars) but particularly challenging on this color due to the tinted clear coat. I would imagine if you ever had to have body work done though, they paint it in two coats, just like the factory, the base color coat and the tinted clear coat otherwise a repainted panel would be way too obvious.

Is there not a touch up kit that contains the base coat and the tinted clear coat? If not, what's the verdict on the current best matching touch up paint source?

 

First it is a BS MYTH that Sole RED is any less durable then the other colors like say Mico.
Better experienced shops can match or blend that only a truly discriminating and experienced eye can see if there is any color changes on the repaired paint.

There are many companies that offer touch up kits that come in 3-4 steps paints that wrk very well. The set for the Mica has a primer/filler paint and clear.

There are many vendors that offer these kits. I suggest to look for one you like on the WWW

 

the 'official' Mazda touch up pen, for lack of a better description, is close. It is, however, 'runny' or 'thin'.
In my case it was hard to keep it on the bare spot. Tended to run off as the hood is tapered.

My 2¢

 

I would suggest to apply when the temperature is at least 70F. Also you need to carefully clean the chip you are touching up or the paint will run out as you described. You may also need to apply very small amounts several time to "fill" the chip if you are not using any primer or filler prior to touching up.

 

The Mazda "pen" I used worked great for a small ding (1/8") by my driver door handle.
But it took multiple dabs and waiting in-between.
In my experience, "touch up paint" is just that, you'll never get the "original color/luster/look".
It will give you a "clean look" from a distance, but when you get up close the "new paint" will be visible.

 

Ya this is because to make it blend so it is not noticeable takes many more steps then simply applying the paint. And the proper touch up is generally needing to extend twice out ward the size of the paint repair to look really good and for the most part undetectable.

 

Yeah, I do clean/sand/clean the area but not like I used.
In the "old days" I'd start with a 1/16" ding and end up with a spot the size of Frisbee that needed painting.
Now I just don't wear my glasses...

 

LOL been there.....rolmao..... Now I just except that my MAZDA is a daily driver, looks good but its going to get lots of paint chips.