Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I have some recent scratches/gouges from recent 4WD trips. They are down to the bare metal.

What's the best way to touch up the scratches? Is it the case of just using touch up paint (bottle or pen) or should I prep the surface first, maybe with cold gal or, if there is surface rust, some rust converter. Then can I use the touch up paint?

Cheers,
Ben

I just use a touch up pen, touch it up before it gets surface rust, give it a litght sand without wrecking the undamaged paint, before painting if it has some surface rust.

Is a clear coat required too?

Use some touch up paint, but steal some of your missus's cotton tips, you'll go through a few but they are better than the stupid little brush.

shouldn't need clear coat....