Attention all Langka users!

S

slvrshadow94tt

New member
I was wondering how many Langka users have "experimented" with different touch-up application and removal techniques to achieve more desirable results from the Langka product. Perhaps some Autopians who use this product could post the "Tips & Tricks" that they have learned over time.



I used Langka last fall on one or two paint chips with fair results, and I realize this product will not do a PERFECT repair.

However, I believe some experimentation and patience could net excellent results in the end.



As an example, my Supra is a bright silver-metallic in color. Like some other users, I experienced a "darkening" effect to the touch-up paint when I used Langka to level out the blob. It now looks as if I used the wrong color to touch-up with. This weekend I plan to repair a couple more rock chips and plan to use the Langka again. But I'm wondering if this time I should use an even lighter shade of silver touch-up paint so that the "darkening" effect might make the touch-up a closer match to the factory color. Anyone tried that before?



Anyone who has deviated from the Langka instructions to achieve superior results, please share your techniques with the rest of us. Who knows, this product could be better than most of us give it credit for.



Thanks in advance!:xyxthumbs
 
BTW, what is in Langka that makes the paint blob level out? Can it still be used if the paint touch-up was made a month ago?



Thanks- didn't mean to thread-jack :D
 
In short, yes. It can be used on older touch-up paint with a little more effort and finesse. As far as "How does it work?".....perform a search on these forums or check out there website --- www.langka.com.



My goal with this post is to learn alternative methods that others have used in order to achieve superior results. I personally feel that following this product's included instructions will only produce quality results with darker colored vehicles (black in particular) and some single-stage paints. After searching through previous threads myself I've noticed that many of us have had less than desirable results with light-to-medium colors and especially metallic based paints. New techniques must be learned and shared:bounce !
 
The reason metallics look different after using the product is the metallic flakes come up to the top of the paint surface while setting up.



To counter this, try using the blue sanding card on edge immediately after applying the touch up, like a razor. This will remove most of the touch up while the metallic flakes are still suspended evenly throughout the paint, smearing the excess across the local area. Then, let dry and use the Langka to wipe away the smear tail left across the OE paint.



I've had good luck with this method on my wife's Sand Beige Metallic paint on her MPV.



BTW, on solid colors I like to let the touch-up dry for 24 hours. It's harder then and the Langka works slower, giving me more control over the smoothing process.
 
On metallic paints you use the blue card without material and without Langka initially. Then follow up with the blue card wrapped in material with Langka to remove excess after it has dried. Is this correct?





Anyone using clearcoat as a topper with any success?





BTW, thanks forrest! Your advice is always appreciated!
 
I use the card on edge like a razor to remove the blob immediately after the touch-up is applied.



I then use the Langka in the normal manner (on a t-shirt wrapped around the card) to remove the smear of touch-up paint where it was dragged across the OE paint - I don't go near where the touch-up was actually applied to the chip/scratch area.
 
I have experimented with this product a lot. I found that using a microfiber "silk" or "suede" material (mostly used for cleaning eye glasses) does a fantastic job. Just about every other fabric I tried remove too much paint.



I sent this information over to Larry Johnson. He's getting fabric samples to evaluate for updates to his kits.



db
 
Where do I find these fine grade MF materials? Can they be purchased cheaply?



Thanks DavidB! I'd like to try this myself.





Any others with ideas?
 
I as well have metallic silver paint and tried forrest's advice he gave me on his Mother's message board. Basically his technique works very well...most people don't notice where the chips are...however, i'm not most people -- now that I have the Autopian Anal Eye...his advice worked alot better than when I tried it myself, but I am still trying to achieve perfection as well...i think i'll try using it with db's silk MF suggestion...



BTW slvrshadow94tt...i would love to be buried in your car. :p
 
slvrshadow94tt,



I have some suede microfiber cloths. Not many though, I don't sell them on the site. But if you are interested PM me or email me and I will help you out.



Ian

Autofiber.com
 
I have used Langka with the brush-on touchups on my black VW with success and the fabric I used was * ahem* the butt out of one of my old pair of panties. ( Now for $19.95 + shipping .. err never mind ). The finer fabric seemed to not drag paint out of the chip like I experienced with the tee shirt type fabric.



One thing, and I don't know if it was a one of, but when I used it on a copper Mirano where the touchup paint came in the felt tipped pen.. it just disolved it all be it 2 weeks or 2 days old.
 
Thanks for the offer on the suede microfibers. I may take you up on that. I'm going to check out your site as well.



Jesstzn, all i have to say about that one is......:cool:
 
I have been using langka for a couple of years now. I own a 5th gen maxima. If you visit the maxima forum, you will know how crappy the paint is. Anyways, the way I use langka is I place two strips of masking tape parallel to each other with the filled-in chip between the two strips. Get your cloth and apply a small amount of langka on it. With the cloth wrapped around the card that came with it, I begin to rub the spot. However, I place pressure on the card directly on top of the two strips of tape, as opposed to the spot itself. This raises the contact point and prevents me from taking too much paint off the spot. Another thing I noticed is that the cloth, after a couple of swipes, get real dirty. So after a couple of swipes, I move to a clean spot on the cloth, apply langka and swipe some more. If you keep swipinging using the same dirty spot on the cloth, somehow, that dirt gets transferred back to the touched-up chip. Thus, making it darker than the rest of the paint. After a lot of trial and error, this is the only way I could use it with acceptable results. Don't think of this as your fix for all your chips. But I think that a half-decent work is better than an exposed chip. This is my two cents.......
 
Max Man, I thought about doing something similar. I'm not sure if this would work well but, what about those little round stickers with the hole punched out in the middle? The ones I'm speaking of are for re-enforcing the holes in paper after you use a hole punch to put the paper in a 3 ring binder. They can be found at any office supply store.
 
I have used Langka with the brush-on touchups on my black VW with success and the fabric I used was * ahem* the butt out of one of my old pair of panties. ( Now for $19.95 + shipping .. err never mind ).
Click to expand...



hmmm i can see it already:setting victoria's secret

...No honest these are for paint repair on my car...sure they are sir it's ok if thats what you want us to believe.
 
slvrshadow94tt said:
Max Man, I thought about doing something similar. I'm not sure if this would work well but, what about those little round stickers with the hole punched out in the middle? The ones I'm speaking of are for re-enforcing the holes in paper after you use a hole punch to put the paper in a 3 ring binder. They can be found at any office supply store.
Click to expand...



Never thought of using that. I have tons of those. But it works on the same concept. Raise it a little bit so as not to rub away all the touch-up paint. Thanks for pointing that out....



P.S. the only thing I see is that these round stickers may be a tad too thick. There might be a little bump on the touch-up....I have been using masking tape which is pretty thin....anyways, if it works, go with it...
 
Jesstzn,

If I use your panty suggestion, how do I get the paint/Langka out of my wife's drawers before she finds out? Any laundering tips?



max_man_94_01,

Good idea!



forrest,

Would your tip also work if I use clear over my touchup? My touchup paints have the pearl in the clear. Does the pearl behave like metallics (settling to the top)?



Dave
 
Dave - I believe the pearl is similar, but the particulates are smaller in size, so migration towards the surface may not be as bad.



You can use the same procedure with your pearlized clear, but I've not tried it - give it a shot and let us know how it works. Worst case, you can wipe it off and start over.
 
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