The previous owner went on a touch-up paint frenzy on my car, and covered many marks which I am sure were easily buffed out. Is there anyway to remove touch up paint that could have been on the car for potentially months to years without destroying the surrounding paint? Or is it better left on? The reason I ask is because the touch up is clearly visible and a different shade than the regular paint.

 

Wetsanding is certainly an option if you're comfortable doing that. If not, try some Langka. It obviously works great on fresh touchup but has taken off and smoothed down some older touch up that I had on my car from the previous owner. GL.

 

wetsanding is probably the best option. use at least a 1200 grit sheet and make sure you've got lots of water flowing as you sand down the touch up paint.

 

Eeek, I'd start at 3000 and go from there. 1200 would slaughter his paint and clear coat.

try something like this first

http://www.autogeek.net/3000-grit-sandpaper-5.html

 

try some acetone and wax the area right after