COLOR CODEFM9 - Black Cherry Pearl MetallicDodge Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This is the ultimate sleeper shade of the late eighties. Whether you are fixing up a Daytona, a Shadow, or a classic Ram, you are dealing with a color that has two distinct personalities. In the shade or inside your garage, it looks like a deep, sophisticated black. The moment you pull it into the light, the finish erupts into a rich, red wine glow. Since your Dodge has likely been on the road for over thirty years, the original clear coat has probably seen some sun, so keep in mind that fresh paint will always have a bit more depth and "pop" than the aged panels around it.

Technical Details

This finish is a pearl metallic, which is a fancy way of saying it is packed with tiny flakes designed to reflect light at different angles. This makes for a beautiful finish, but it comes with a catch: if you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, those flakes will bunch together and create a patchy, dark appearance. You want to avoid the paint looking "muddy." Because it is a pearl, the final look depends entirely on how the flakes lay down, so focus on even coverage rather than trying to get full opacity in a single pass.

Best Practices

Dodge usually hid the paint code on a metal plate on the radiator support under the hood or on the driver-side door jamb. Before you spray or dab Dodge Black Cherry Pearl Metallic (check for code FM9), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds. Those heavy metallic particles love to settle at the bottom, and if they aren't mixed, your repair will look like a flat maroon instead of a deep cherry. Always test the color on the included card to see how the light hits it before you touch the car. When you start the repair, keep the container moving to ensure the pearl spreads out naturally. Give the area plenty of drying time between layers to prevent the paint from sagging or trapping moisture.