Canon touch-up paint for series II L lenses?

I have a Canon L lens with the newer white color that has a handful of paint chips, revealing the darker metal color underneath. I was wondering if anybody knew of an excellent match, as I have found that Canon no longer sells the paint themselves.

As well, if anybody has any tips on how to apply to match the textured paint job (I've heard using a sponge works well) I would appreciate that information, too!

=)

I asked the lady I was talking to a couple of weeks ago about the paint, she said that they do sell it, but only in large (probably quart-sized) cans.
I mentioned that I had the older white color, and asked if they had any, she said she didn't know if it was the same or what. So, she couldn't tell me if that paint they sell was for version I or II. That was kind of odd considering they are 'THE' people you go to for that. Don't get me started on the reason I called them in the first place, I can't understand how a large company like Canon doesn't know what they are doing, I had to go through hell before I finally got my order settled, it took me several calls to get it through their heads what I needed.

So, the only thing I can tell you is to search eBay, I know that a guy there 'used to' sell a smaller can of it, probably the older stuff, but still, he sold it, and I know it was mentioned (here?) that someone would buy the can and others would buy smaller containers of it. That way the cost wasn't crazy, plus, nobody can use all of the paint that comes in that large can that Canon sells, or sold, or...

This paint on their lenses is more than likely lacquer, (I don't know for sure though) if so, that can be matched at an auto paint place probably, that's how I would attack that. I know that all auto paint and body shops know how to match paints, but it depends on the type of paint. If it was an acrylic enamel it would be super easy, but I am pretty sure it's not.

As far as applying it, I would dab it on with a very small piece of sponge, really small, make dabbing motions until you get the coverage, then after it starts to dry I would 'pick the paint up' to give it that texture. What I mean it, like frosting, make the semi-wet paint have small bumps, so to speak. More than likely you could even use your fingertip after it starts getting to a point where you can get it to take some texture. The paint really needs to be built up because you can't do it they way they originally did it, it was probably laid on very thick with a large airbrush, but trying to match that thickness on a small area takes some skills, but I am sure it can be done.
I know how to do all of this, (I think) but I have not worked in that particular kind of paint, and if it is a lacquer it is very thin, so it means it'll have to (probably) have to be worked a lot differently. If it's a lacquer I don't think that other paint will stick very well, it's been years since I've messed with this stuff, but that's how I remember it. Lacquer 'may' stick to acrylic enamel though, but I wouldn't take my word, ask a paint shop, they know this stuff. Maybe someone that has painted similar stuff will see this and let you know.

Anyway, I hope this at least gives you an idea as to where to start.
Please let us know if you do find a place, I know that I could use a little bit myself, and I am sure that there is a bunch out there that would.

Randy

Excellent info, Randy...thanks for chiming in. I see touch-up paint on eBay but I believe it is all the older, duller white. Too bad Canon employees can't be of more help, haha.

You might try calling Canon and try your luck, maybe you'll fare better than I did.
Surely someone on e-Bay will have the newer paint for you, hopefully.

Randy

The paint is on Amazon in both large tin and small bottle. I assume the small bottle is the same seller as on Ebay. He lists which lenses the paint matches.
Large tin CY9-8078-001 $43.96
30ml bottle $18.99

aphphoto wrote in post #17755159
The paint is on Amazon in both large tin and small bottle. I assume the small bottle is the same seller as on Ebay. He lists which lenses the paint matches.
Large tin CY9-8078-001 $43.96
30ml bottle $18.99

Now see? I knew that someone would come along that knew something...

Thank you, that is VERY GOOD news, at least for those (of us) that have the older style lenses, I am pretty sure this is not the same paint the OP wanted.
This should be very helpful, and I for one would like to thank you for finding this, I am going to put it on my Wishlist right now.

Randy

I just got a bottle of the old style paint from Amazon today, and it's a perfect match for my 70-200 and 100-400 zooms. I don't have any of the new lenses so I can't speak of matching paint for them.

I'd recommend going to a sherwin-williams. i used to work at one and could match anything that was brought to me. even in lacquer. they might not be as helpful as i once was but using the "color eye" will give them a pretty accurate formula to spin up some all-surface enamel that'll be pretty damn close if not perfect and may set you back $15 for a quart. (they don't go smaller than that)

According to the-digital-picture.com, Canon used to sell it but had to stop bc it was classified as a "Hazardous Material" and they couldn't ship it.

I'd probably try a local auto-body paint store. They can custom mix something made for a durable finish on metal. Either that or a hobby store. They usually have quite a selection of small enamel paints and may have a close match to what you need, or could help you with mixing something custom.

As a body repair tech at a modern (-ish) body shop, for the most part ( can't speak for ALL shops) but the standard in automotive paint is a base coat/clear coat system, and it usually is a urethane or polyurethane, and unless it can be mixed as a 'single stage', you would need to touch it up with base coat as well as an activated clear coat. My guess for the 'paint' on the lenses would actually be a powder coat, that is baked on, but if they still paint the lens bodies, they more than likely use an enamel of some sort, as it would be more durable than many other types of finishes...

I too looked this up and found an off white colour and a white colour too, basically you can add white to the off colour to suit the paint on the lens. I did my 70-200 a few weeks ago and used model paint. Fairly easy to do and mixing a bit at a time with a small sharp pointed brush it came out good.

Just noticed the off white colour I believe is the one thats mentioned here CY9-8078-001 as the older colour, and I added white paint to make it match the newer lens paint.

Im away from home just now but I will try and find what paints I got.

Found them in an email from ages ago.

X-2 White - Tamiya
XF-55 Deck Tan - Tamiya

They were only a couple of £ here so wont be many dollars over there.

That looks REALLY good from what I can see. My question would be, how durable do you think that it is?
I ask that because I also think that the lenses are painted using powder coating which is really very durable, and I have used paints similar to what you used, so I was just wondering.
In other words, after a few days would you try and check with your fingernail to see if it would chip? I know that is maybe asking a lot, but a lot of paint won't stick to another, so while it may look VERY good from what I can, the real test would be how tough it is.

Thank you for letting us know though, it's nice that you (and others too) take the time to do this.

Randy

I'll certainly have no problems trying to shift it with my nail when I'm home.

I'm not home for a week so you will have to bear with me. It's been pretty good so far. None of it has come off so far so seems pretty good.

I just didn't want you to think that I wanted you to scratch it off!

I'm in no hurry myself, mine has been scratched for over a year, it can wait a little longer.

Thank you!

Randy