COLOR CODEEW1 - Spinnaker WhiteDodge Touch-Up Paint

The Look

If you are looking at your 1979 Dodge, you probably notice that this white is not the bright, sterile color found on modern appliances. It has a softer, warmer character that was specifically designed to mimic the color of a canvas sail. While it appeared on everything from the rugged Power Wagon to the Aspen, it gained real fame as the signature shade for the limited edition Chrysler 300. Because your car has lived through several decades, the original finish has likely developed a slight yellowish tint from the sun, which actually helps this creamy white blend in better than a modern refrigerator white would.

Technical Details

This is a solid finish, meaning there are no metallic flakes or pearls hidden in the mix. While that makes the color matching process more straightforward, it also means the paint is less forgiving. Solid whites act like a spotlight on your prep work, so any bits of dust or uneven textures will be visible once the paint dries. On the plus side, you do not have to worry about the "mottling" or tiger stripes that plague metallic paints. Your main challenge will be keeping the area clean since a solid white background makes every speck of dirt look like a mountain.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Dodge Spinnaker White (check for code EW1), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. You can verify your code by looking for the metal fender tag located on the driver-side inner fender well under the hood; it is usually stamped right into the metal. Once you are ready, test the color on the included card to ensure the shade matches your weathered finish. When applying, keep the container moving to avoid heavy build-up in one spot. Since this is a solid color, several thin layers will always look better than one thick coat, and you should allow plenty of drying time between them to ensure a hard, durable finish.