Touch up paint before or after?

[JohnKnee15]

Hey guys I'm a new owner of an Audi S5 and I tried searching to see for relative post but couldn't, sorry if this was answered already.

I'm going to detail the car this spring but was wondering are you supposed to do touch up paint (Dr. Color chip) before detailing or after?

[Diokhan]

Define what you mean by detailing?

If you mean before or after polishing, it doesn't matter. I'd say before as with the Dr Colorchip system you can get some light marring in the area during the removal process.

If you mean before or after wax, sealant, or coating; then you want it before so that the protection doesn't seal the area you are trying to fill in and prevent the paint from sticking.

[Ballzo]

What every paint touch up you do, you would want to do free of any product underneath if you can, you don't want wax or fillers underneath your touch up paint in theory it will adhere better.