Small containers of pre-mixed automotive paint, designed for minor repairs like scratches and chips, provide a handy and reasonably priced technique to preserve a automobile’s end. These merchandise are formulated to match unique manufacturing unit colours throughout numerous makes and fashions, enabling near-seamless repairs. Sometimes, they’re out there in numerous applicator codecs corresponding to pens, brushes, or aerosol sprays for exact software.
Sustaining a automobile’s look protects its resale worth and provides a way of satisfaction in possession. Addressing minor paint injury promptly prevents rust and additional deterioration, contributing to the longevity of the automobile’s physique. Over time, the event of those small, easy-to-use restore options has simplified the method of sustaining a pristine end, making professional-quality outcomes accessible to the typical client.
This text will additional discover the choice, software, and ending strategies related to these helpful automotive paint options. It’s going to cowl matters corresponding to coloration matching, floor preparation, and clear coat choices to make sure optimum restore outcomes.
1. Exact Coloration Matching
Attaining a seamless restore with touch-up paint hinges on exact coloration matching. An inaccurate coloration choice, even when barely off, will lead to a noticeable blemish. This part explores the vital sides of correct coloration matching for a professional-looking restore.
-
Finding the Car’s Coloration Code
Most automobiles have a coloration code sticker situated in locations like the driving force’s aspect doorjamb, glove compartment, or below the hood. This code is essential for figuring out the manufacturing unit paint coloration. On-line databases can cross-reference these codes with particular paint formulations. Variations can exist inside the similar coloration code attributable to components like fading, so cautious visible comparability is advisable.
-
Visible Comparability below Numerous Lighting Situations
Even with the proper coloration code, it is advisable to match the touch-up paint with the automobile’s end below totally different lighting situations daylight, shade, synthetic gentle. This helps determine refined coloration variations which may not be obvious below a single gentle supply. Slight discrepancies can turn out to be magnified as soon as the paint dries.
-
Check Utility on an Inconspicuous Space
If attainable, a check software on a hidden space of the automobile, corresponding to the within of a door or below the trunk lid, is very advisable. This enables evaluation of the colour match and compatibility with the present end with out risking a visual blemish on a distinguished floor. The check space ought to endure the identical preparation and software course of because the meant restore space.
-
Understanding Coloration Variations and Fading
Environmental components like solar publicity and weathering could cause paint to fade over time. This makes exact coloration matching tougher, notably on older automobiles. In such circumstances, mixing strategies or searching for skilled help may be needed to realize a really seamless restore.
Correct coloration matching is the cornerstone of profitable touch-up paint software. By diligently following these steps, the probabilities of attaining a just about invisible restore are considerably elevated, preserving the automobile’s look and worth.
2. Applicable Applicator Choice
Attaining knowledgeable end with touch-up paint relies upon considerably on choosing the proper applicator. The kind of injury, its dimension, and placement dictate the simplest device. Choosing the suitable applicator ensures exact paint placement, minimizes mess, and contributes to a seamless restore.
-
Brush Applicators
Ideally suited for small chips and scratches, brush applicators provide wonderful management for exact paint placement. Their small dimension permits concentrating on particular areas with out overspray. Nonetheless, brushstrokes can typically be seen, requiring cautious software and potential sanding for a easy end. Wonderful-tipped brushes are notably helpful for intricate areas.
-
Pen Applicators
Combining a pen-like tip with an inside reservoir, pen applicators dispense paint easily and evenly. They’re well-suited for slim scratches and rock chips. The managed circulation minimizes the chance of runs and drips. The pen tip’s form permits for managed software in tight areas and alongside edges.
-
Aerosol Spray Applicators
Aerosol sprays present even protection over bigger areas and provide a smoother end in comparison with brushes. They’re appropriate for repairing scratches, scrapes, and bigger chips. Nonetheless, overspray might be a difficulty, requiring cautious masking of surrounding areas. Spray applicators are sometimes most popular for mixing repairs into the encompassing paintwork.
-
Specialised Applicators
Some producers provide specialised applicators like foam pads or dabbers for particular restore sorts. Foam pads are appropriate for making use of paint to broader areas whereas minimizing texture. Dabbers are helpful for filling in deep chips. Selecting a specialised applicator tailor-made to the particular restore enhances precision and effectivity.
Applicator choice instantly influences the ultimate final result of a touch-up paint restore. Fastidiously contemplating the injury sort and desired end ensures optimum outcomes, contributing to a seamless and professional-looking restore that maintains the automobile’s look.
3. Thorough Floor Preparation
The longevity and effectiveness of touch-up paint repairs rely considerably on thorough floor preparation. Correct preparation ensures optimum adhesion, prevents untimely failure, and contributes to knowledgeable, seamless end. Neglecting this significant step compromises the restore’s sturdiness and aesthetics, doubtlessly resulting in additional injury and a less-than-satisfactory end result. The next sides define the important parts of thorough floor preparation earlier than making use of touch-up paint.
-
Cleansing the Restore Space
Contaminants corresponding to filth, grease, wax, and street grime intrude with paint adhesion. Totally cleansing the restore space with an appropriate automotive cleaner or degreaser is paramount. This removes impediments, permitting the touch-up paint to bond instantly with the present end, maximizing sturdiness and stopping untimely peeling or chipping. Rinsing with clear water and drying utterly are essential steps following cleansing.
-
Sanding and Smoothing Imperfections
Floor imperfections like rust, chipped paint edges, or minor scratches necessitate sanding earlier than paint software. Sanding creates a easy, uniform floor, selling optimum adhesion and a seamless mix between the present paint and the touch-up paint. Utilizing progressively finer grit sandpaper ensures a easy end. Feathering the perimeters of the broken space helps combine the restore seamlessly into the encompassing paintwork. Correct sanding minimizes seen transitions and enhances the restore’s general look.
-
Masking Adjoining Areas
Defending adjoining areas from overspray throughout paint software is crucial, particularly when utilizing aerosol sprays. Masking tape and paper create a barrier, stopping undesirable paint from adhering to surrounding surfaces. Cautious masking preserves the integrity of the encompassing end and ensures a clear, skilled end result. Exact masking strategies decrease the necessity for subsequent cleanup and contribute to a extra refined restore.
-
Utilizing Primer (If Obligatory)
In circumstances of naked metallic publicity or deep scratches, making use of primer earlier than the touch-up paint is crucial. Primer promotes adhesion, prevents rust formation, and offers a uniform base for the touch-up paint. Choosing a primer appropriate with each the present end and the touch-up paint is essential for optimum outcomes. Primer software enhances the restore’s longevity and ensures a constant coloration and texture throughout the repaired space.
Thorough floor preparation kinds the inspiration for profitable touch-up paint software. By diligently addressing every of those sides, the restore’s sturdiness, look, and longevity are considerably enhanced. Correct preparation maximizes the effectiveness of the touch-up paint, leading to knowledgeable, seamless restore that preserves the automobile’s look and worth.
4. Cautious Paint Utility
Cautious software is paramount for attaining skilled outcomes with touch-up paints, instantly influencing the ultimate look and longevity of the restore. This entails understanding the particular product traits, making use of applicable strategies, and exercising persistence to realize a seamless mix with the present end. A methodical method minimizes widespread points like runs, drips, uneven texture, and poor coloration mixing, guaranteeing the restore is just about undetectable.
The viscosity and drying time of touch-up paint formulations range. Making use of skinny, even coats is essential, permitting every layer to dry correctly earlier than subsequent purposes. This prevents runs and sags, notably on vertical surfaces. A number of skinny coats construct up the colour regularly, leading to a smoother, extra even end in comparison with a single thick coat. Moreover, respecting the desired drying occasions between coats minimizes the chance of lifting or wrinkling, guaranteeing correct adhesion and a sturdy restore. For instance, making an attempt to use a second coat earlier than the primary has totally dried can result in a cheesy floor and compromise the colour uniformity.
Totally different software strategies require particular strategies. When utilizing a brush applicator, easy, managed strokes in a single course decrease brush marks. With pen applicators, sustaining constant strain ensures uniform paint circulation and prevents extreme buildup. Aerosol software necessitates constant spraying distance and pace to realize even protection and keep away from blotchiness or orange peel texture. Understanding these nuances, coupled with cautious execution, considerably impacts the ultimate end result, yielding a professional-looking restore that enhances the automobile’s look. In the end, persistence and a focus to element throughout the software course of are important for attaining a really seamless and sturdy restore that integrates flawlessly with the encompassing paintwork.
5. Efficient Drying Strategies
Efficient drying strategies are important for attaining knowledgeable and sturdy end when utilizing automotive touch-up paints. Correct drying instantly influences the paint’s adhesion, gloss, and general look. Inadequate drying can result in a variety of points, together with a cheesy or mushy end, solvent entrapment, poor coloration improvement, and compromised sturdiness. These points can finally necessitate reapplication, including effort and time to the restore course of. Conversely, appropriate drying practices maximize the paint’s efficiency traits, guaranteeing a easy, onerous, and long-lasting restore. As an illustration, permitting adequate drying time between coats prevents lifting or wrinkling of the underlying layers, contributing to a uniform and stage end. Moreover, correct drying minimizes the chance of mud or particles embedding within the recent paint, preserving the smoothness and gloss of the restore.
Environmental components considerably affect drying occasions. Temperature, humidity, and airflow all play a task within the drying course of. Larger temperatures usually speed up drying, whereas excessive humidity can sluggish it down. Satisfactory air flow promotes solvent evaporation, essential for correct curing. When making use of touch-up paint in less-than-ideal situations, changes could also be needed. For instance, rising drying occasions in humid environments or utilizing a low-speed fan to enhance airflow can mitigate potential points. Direct daylight, whereas seemingly useful for fast drying, can typically result in uneven drying and floor imperfections, notably on darker colours. Understanding these environmental influences and adapting drying strategies accordingly ensures optimum outcomes whatever the prevailing situations.
Adhering to manufacturer-recommended drying occasions is essential for attaining the specified end. These suggestions take into account the particular paint formulation and supply optimum drying parameters for various environmental situations. Untimely dealing with or publicity to moisture earlier than the paint has totally cured can compromise the restore’s integrity and longevity. Endurance throughout the drying course of is crucial for attaining knowledgeable and sturdy end result. Understanding the science behind drying, coupled with cautious consideration to environmental components and producer suggestions, ensures the touch-up paint performs as meant, leading to a seamless and long-lasting restore that enhances the automobile’s look and protects in opposition to additional injury.
6. Correct Clear Coat Utility
Correct clear coat software is integral to attaining knowledgeable and sturdy end when utilizing touch-up paints, notably these designed for automotive purposes. Clear coat serves a number of vital capabilities that instantly influence the longevity and aesthetics of the restore. It offers a protecting layer in opposition to environmental components corresponding to UV radiation, acid rain, and street particles, safeguarding the underlying coloration coat from fading, oxidation, and chipping. This safety maintains the automobile’s look and worth over time. Moreover, clear coat enhances the gloss and depth of the colour, making a easy, reflective floor that blends seamlessly with the encompassing manufacturing unit end. With out a correct clear coat software, the repaired space could seem uninteresting, flat, or mismatched by way of sheen, detracting from the general aesthetic. As an illustration, a repaired scratch on a metallic end would possibly seem noticeably duller than the encompassing space if the clear coat isn’t utilized appropriately, highlighting the restore slightly than concealing it.
Attaining optimum outcomes with clear coat entails cautious consideration of a number of components. Compatibility between the clear coat and the underlying touch-up paint is paramount. Utilizing incompatible merchandise can result in adversarial reactions, corresponding to clouding, cracking, or peeling. Choosing a transparent coat particularly designed for automotive use and guaranteeing compatibility with the touch-up paint system is essential. Utility method additionally performs a big function within the last final result. Just like making use of the bottom coloration coat, skinny, even coats of clear coat are important for stopping runs, sags, and orange peel texture. Permitting adequate drying time between coats, as per the producer’s suggestions, is essential for correct curing and adhesion. Moreover, the encompassing setting, together with temperature and humidity, can affect drying occasions and the ultimate end. Extreme humidity, for instance, can decelerate the drying course of and doubtlessly result in a hazy or cloudy look. Cautious consideration to environmental components and adjusting drying occasions accordingly ensures optimum outcomes.
In abstract, correct clear coat software isn’t merely a beauty step; it’s a essential factor in guaranteeing the longevity, sturdiness, and aesthetic enchantment of touch-up paint repairs. Understanding the protecting and enhancing properties of clear coat, coupled with meticulous software strategies and consideration of environmental components, yields a professional-looking restore that seamlessly integrates with the present end, preserving the automobile’s look and worth.
7. Understanding Paint Sorts
A basic side of attaining profitable touch-up repairs entails understanding the varied paint sorts generally utilized in automotive finishes. Dupli-Coloration provides merchandise formulated to match unique manufacturing unit finishes, encompassing lacquer, enamel, and acrylic lacquer. Choosing the proper paint sort for a touch-up restore is essential for compatibility and attaining a seamless mix with the present end. Incompatibility between the touch-up paint and the unique end can result in adversarial reactions, corresponding to poor adhesion, lifting, cracking, or discoloration. For instance, making use of an enamel-based touch-up paint to an unique lacquer end can lead to wrinkling or lifting of the present paint. Conversely, utilizing a lacquer-based touch-up paint on an enamel end would possibly result in poor adhesion and untimely chipping. Understanding the underlying paint chemistry helps guarantee a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing restore.
Every paint sort possesses distinct traits that affect software strategies, drying occasions, and general sturdiness. Lacquer paints dry shortly by means of solvent evaporation, providing glorious coloration and gloss retention. Nonetheless, they’re extra vulnerable to solvents and require particular thinners for mixing and cleanup. Enamel paints, recognized for his or her hardness and sturdiness, dry slower by means of oxidation and polymerization. They provide good resistance to chemical compounds and abrasion however require longer drying occasions between coats. Acrylic lacquer combines the fast-drying properties of lacquer with the sturdiness of acrylic resins, providing a steadiness between ease of software and long-term efficiency. Selecting the suitable Dupli-Coloration product requires figuring out the unique automobile end and choosing an identical formulation. On-line assets, automobile documentation, and paint code databases help in figuring out the proper paint sort. In conditions the place the unique end is unsure, consulting knowledgeable automotive paint provider can present worthwhile steering.
Correct paint sort identification is crucial for profitable touch-up repairs. This information permits knowledgeable product choice, ensures compatibility with the present end, and minimizes the chance of adversarial reactions. Selecting the proper Dupli-Coloration formulation primarily based on a transparent understanding of paint sorts contributes to a sturdy, seamless, and professional-looking restore, preserving the automobile’s look and worth.
8. Appropriate Storage Practices
Sustaining the standard and usefulness of touch-up paint merchandise requires adherence to correct storage practices. Incorrect storage can negatively influence the paint’s chemical composition, resulting in efficiency points corresponding to poor adhesion, altered viscosity, and compromised coloration accuracy. These points can finally render the product unusable, necessitating alternative and doubtlessly delaying repairs. Applicable storage preserves the paint’s meant traits, guaranteeing its effectiveness and longevity. This part particulars important storage practices for sustaining optimum product high quality.
-
Temperature Management
Excessive temperatures, each cold and warm, can negatively have an effect on touch-up paint. Excessive temperatures could cause the solvents to evaporate prematurely, thickening the paint and altering its software properties. Freezing temperatures can injury the paint’s chemical construction, resulting in separation and rendering it unusable. Storing touch-up paint in a cool, dry place, away from direct daylight and excessive temperature fluctuations, is essential for preserving its high quality.
-
Container Integrity
Guaranteeing the container is tightly sealed after every use prevents solvent evaporation and contamination. Publicity to air could cause the paint to dry out, thicken, or develop a pores and skin on the floor. Contamination with mud or particles can compromise the paint’s software and last end. Correctly sealing the container maintains the paint’s desired consistency and prevents undesirable chemical reactions.
-
Storage Location
Storing touch-up paint in a well-ventilated space, away from flammable supplies and ignition sources, is crucial for security. Paint solvents are flammable and might pose a hearth hazard if saved improperly. A delegated storage space for chemical compounds and automotive merchandise, away from dwelling areas and warmth sources, minimizes potential dangers.
-
Shelf Life Concerns
Whereas touch-up paints have an affordable shelf life, their efficiency can degrade over time. Checking the producer’s suggestions for shelf life and storage pointers offers worthwhile data relating to the product’s anticipated lifespan. Utilizing older paint past its advisable shelf life can lead to suboptimal efficiency, corresponding to poor adhesion or altered coloration accuracy. Changing expired or degraded paint ensures optimum restore outcomes.
Adhering to appropriate storage practices is crucial for preserving the standard and usefulness of touch-up paint merchandise. Correct storage safeguards the paint’s chemical composition, guaranteeing its effectiveness and longevity. By following these pointers, customers can maximize the product’s efficiency, attaining professional-looking repairs that preserve the automobile’s look and worth.
9. Automotive Compatibility
Automotive compatibility is paramount when choosing touch-up paint, guaranteeing correct adhesion, coloration match, and a sturdy end. Incompatible paints can result in adversarial reactions with the present end, leading to poor adhesion, discoloration, and even injury to the unique paintwork. Understanding the components contributing to compatibility is essential for attaining skilled and long-lasting repairs. This entails contemplating the automobile’s make, mannequin, yr, and particular paint code, together with the touch-up paint’s formulation and meant use.
-
Matching Paint Codes
Car producers make the most of particular paint codes to determine manufacturing unit finishes. Exactly matching the touch-up paint to the automobile’s paint code is the inspiration of compatibility. Utilizing an incorrect code can lead to a noticeable coloration mismatch, even when seemingly comparable at first look. Assets corresponding to on-line databases and automobile documentation help in figuring out the proper paint code, enabling exact product choice. Slight coloration variations can nonetheless happen attributable to components like fading, highlighting the significance of cautious visible comparability below totally different lighting situations.
-
Paint System Compatibility
Fashionable automobiles typically make the most of advanced paint techniques comprising primer, base coat, and clear coat layers. The touch-up paint should be appropriate with the particular system used on the automobile. Utilizing incompatible merchandise can result in inter-coat adhesion failures, leading to peeling, cracking, or effervescent. This necessitates choosing merchandise designed for the particular paint system, guaranteeing correct bonding between layers and a sturdy restore. Mismatched techniques can even result in discoloration or cloudiness, compromising the aesthetic enchantment of the restore.
-
Solvent Compatibility
Totally different paint sorts, corresponding to lacquer, enamel, and acrylic lacquer, make the most of totally different solvents. Utilizing a touch-up paint with incompatible solvents can injury the present end, inflicting it to melt, wrinkle, or carry. Guaranteeing solvent compatibility is essential for stopping adversarial reactions and attaining a seamless, built-in restore. This entails understanding the unique automobile end and choosing a touch-up paint with appropriate solvents, guaranteeing correct bonding and stopping injury to the present paintwork.
-
Plastic and Trim Concerns
Not all automotive surfaces make the most of the identical paint techniques. Plastic components and trim typically require specialised paint formulations for correct adhesion and sturdiness. Utilizing commonplace touch-up paint on these surfaces can lead to poor adhesion, chipping, or flaking. Dupli-Coloration provides specialised merchandise designed for plastic and trim, guaranteeing compatibility and a sturdy end. These specialised formulations adhere successfully to plastic substrates, offering a long-lasting restore that resists fading and chipping.
Automotive compatibility is a multifaceted side of profitable touch-up paint repairs. Addressing every of those sides contributes to a sturdy, seamless, and professional-looking end result that preserves the automobile’s look and worth. Neglecting compatibility issues can compromise the restore’s integrity and result in additional injury, necessitating extra in depth and dear repairs sooner or later. Choosing the suitable Dupli-Coloration product primarily based on an intensive understanding of those compatibility components ensures a profitable and long-lasting restore that integrates flawlessly with the present end.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
This part addresses widespread inquiries relating to the choice, software, and effectiveness of automotive touch-up paints, offering readability and steering for attaining optimum restore outcomes.
Query 1: How one can decide the proper coloration code for a automobile?
Car producers sometimes affix a coloration code sticker to the automobile. Frequent places embrace the driving force’s aspect doorjamb, glove compartment, or below the hood. On-line databases can cross-reference these codes with particular paint formulations.
Query 2: What’s the distinction between lacquer, enamel, and acrylic lacquer touch-up paints?
Lacquer paints dry shortly by means of solvent evaporation. Enamel paints dry slower by means of oxidation, providing better sturdiness. Acrylic lacquer combines the quick drying of lacquer with the sturdiness of acrylic resins.
Query 3: Can touch-up paint be utilized over present clear coat?
Usually, touch-up paint is utilized on to the bottom coat. Nonetheless, sure merchandise are formulated for software over clear coat. The product directions will present particular steering.
Query 4: How one can stop runs and drips throughout software?
Making use of a number of skinny coats, permitting adequate drying time between every coat, helps stop runs and drips. Keep away from making use of thick coats, particularly on vertical surfaces.
Query 5: When is primer needed earlier than making use of touch-up paint?
Primer software is advisable when naked metallic is uncovered or when repairing deep scratches. Primer promotes adhesion and prevents rust formation.
Query 6: How lengthy ought to touch-up paint dry earlier than making use of clear coat?
Drying occasions range relying on environmental situations and product specifics. At all times adhere to the producer’s suggestions for drying occasions between coats and earlier than making use of clear coat.
Understanding these key features ensures correct product choice and software, contributing to a profitable and long-lasting restore. Correct coloration matching, correct floor preparation, and applicable software strategies are important for attaining skilled outcomes.
The subsequent part will delve into superior strategies for mixing touch-up paint repairs to realize a really seamless end.
Suggestions for Efficient Contact-Up Paint Repairs
Attaining professional-looking outcomes with automotive touch-up paint requires consideration to element and adherence to greatest practices. The next ideas present sensible steering for a profitable restore course of.
Tip 1: Cleanliness is Paramount: Totally clear the restore space with a devoted automotive cleaner or degreaser to take away contaminants like filth, grease, and wax. This ensures optimum paint adhesion and prevents untimely failure.
Tip 2: Exact Coloration Matching: Correct coloration matching is essential. Find the automobile’s coloration code, sometimes discovered on a sticker within the doorjamb, glove compartment, or below the hood. Evaluate the touch-up paint with the automobile’s end below numerous lighting situations to make sure a seamless match. A check software on a hidden space is advisable.
Tip 3: Correct Floor Preparation: Sanding smooths imperfections and creates an appropriate floor for paint adhesion. Use progressively finer grit sandpaper, feathering the perimeters of the broken space for seamless mixing.
Tip 4: Skinny Coats are Key: Apply a number of skinny coats, permitting every to dry utterly earlier than the following software. This prevents runs, drips, and uneven texture. Endurance is crucial for a easy, skilled end.
Tip 5: Applicator Choice Issues: Select the suitable applicator primarily based on the injury sort and dimension. Brushes provide precision for small chips, pens are appropriate for slim scratches, and aerosol sprays present even protection over bigger areas. Specialised applicators like foam pads or dabbers cater to particular restore wants.
Tip 6: Environmental Concerns: Temperature and humidity considerably affect drying occasions. Regulate drying occasions primarily based on environmental situations. Keep away from making use of touch-up paint in direct daylight or excessive temperatures.
Tip 7: Clear Coat Safety: Apply a appropriate clear coat to guard the restore, improve gloss, and guarantee a seamless mix with the encompassing end. Observe producer suggestions for clear coat software and drying occasions.
Tip 8: Correct Storage Extends Product Life: Retailer touch-up paint in a cool, dry place away from direct daylight and excessive temperatures. Guarantee containers are tightly sealed to forestall solvent evaporation and contamination.
By following the following tips, one can obtain professional-looking outcomes, preserving automobile aesthetics and worth. Consideration to element throughout every stage, from preparation to last clear coat software, contributes to a seamless and sturdy restore.
The next conclusion summarizes the important thing takeaways for attaining optimum outcomes with automotive touch-up paint.
Conclusion
Attaining professional-grade touch-up paint repairs hinges on meticulous consideration to element and an intensive understanding of the method. Exact coloration matching, applicable product choice primarily based on the automobile’s unique end, and diligent floor preparation are important conditions. Cautious paint software strategies, together with the usage of skinny coats and applicable applicators, decrease widespread points like runs, drips, and uneven texture. Efficient drying practices, influenced by environmental components, and correct clear coat software contribute considerably to the restore’s sturdiness, gloss, and seamless integration with the encompassing paintwork. Understanding paint sorts and their respective traits ensures compatibility and minimizes the chance of adversarial reactions. Correct storage practices preserve product integrity and lengthen shelf life.
Sustaining a automobile’s end by means of touch-up repairs contributes not solely to its aesthetic enchantment but in addition to its long-term worth and safety in opposition to additional injury. Diligence in using the strategies and issues outlined herein empowers automobile homeowners to handle minor paint imperfections successfully, preserving the automobile’s look and defending its worth over time.
