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This color is compatible with the following Fords:

MODELS: All Other Models

YEARS: 1981

To determine if Bright Red is the correct color, check your vehicle's color code. It should match the paint color code, which is 27 (1981).

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Non-Paint products for all vehicles

Once you've added custom color paint to your cart, you will need clearcoat and (depending on your damage) other non-paint products to complete your repair.

Your Paint Color Profile

27 (1981) - Bright Red

The Look

This red is the soul of 1981. Whether it sits on a Fox Body Mustang or a rugged Bronco, it represents a year when Ford leaned into bold, primary colors. It is a high-visibility shade that gives your vehicle a classic, utilitarian energy. This color appeared on almost all other models that year, making it a definitive look for that era of Ford design.

Technical Details

This is a solid finish, which means it contains zero metallic or pearl particles. Solid reds are heavy on pigment and provide great coverage, but they remain vulnerable to the sun. Since your vehicle has aged for over forty years, the original finish might have a chalky or faded character. A solid red shows every imperfection, so your surface must be clean and smooth before you start.

Best Practices

Find your paint code on the driver's door jamb sticker next to the exterior paint label. Before you spray or dab Ford Bright Red (check for code 27 (1981)), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. Red pigments are heavy and settle at the bottom of the container, so mixing is the only way to get a match. Test the color on the included card before moving to the car. Work in the shade and keep the container moving to ensure the flow remains even. Give each coat ample drying time so the new paint settles into a smooth finish.

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Find your Ford paint code

Ford paint color codes are on the drivers door jamb, on the color plate. The typical format is PM/M6599, though usually only PM appears. Example: PM corresponds to Bright Calypso Metallic Clearcoat PM/M6599; it may appear as PM Bright Calypso Metallic Clearcoat. Plates may show Exterior Paint Colors or EX PT; sometimes the color is embossed mid-plate. WB is wheelbase; above Wheel Base is EXT PNT, and to the right of EXT PNT is the code. Many mistake LX3 as the code.

Find My Ford Paint Code
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Custom paint for your Ford

Skip expensive body shops - Do it yourself!

Whether you're an absolute beginner or a seasoned professional, you can achieve a high-quality paint job on your Ford in the comfort of your own home.

PaintScratch proudly offers simple, beginner-friendly products in Bright Red that do not require any fancy equipment. For the serious car fanatic, you can find ready-to-spray large-sized paints.

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What Our Customers Are Saying

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Laura C.
Nov 21

Will absolutely order from this company again.

After ordering touch-up paint from Lexus I was still waiting for it a month later. If they'd told me upfront it would take that long I wouldn't have ordered in the first place. Paint Scratch was recommended by a friend who restores cars. Easy ordering, fair price and fast shipping. The color match is great especially considering my car is a 2012. Will absolutely order from this company again. Reason I chose this business: Lexus collision repair and a local collision repair. Will use paint less dent removal and touch up chipped paint myself. Reason I chose this product: Spouse sideswiped passenger side of car while backing out of garage. Mostly plastic transfer from his wheel well trim but pressure creased and cracked the paint causing a bare strip 1/8 wide x 4" long below door handle. Scratches on door handle and a few small chips on both doors.

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Javier A
Nov 26

Simply the best custom mixed paint in spray cans

Used Paint Scratch metallic custom mixed spray cans paint on a hood panel with excellent coverage and texture over the surface. Metallic paint can be very unforgiving out of a spray can, sputtering pigmentation dots on the panel being sprayed and thus ruining the paint job. No such issues with Paint Scratch custom mixed metallic paint spray cans. Paint sprayed strong and evenly till the last drop of paint in the can. Shipping time was faster than expected. Reason I chose this business: Having tried other brands of custom mixed metallic paint with terrible results, sputtering pigmentation tint dots from the spray nozzle in spite of vigorously shaking of can prior to application and loss of propellant rendering the lower fifth of the can's paint useless, Paint Scratch custom mixed metallic paint sprays out beautifully and strong all the way to the last gram of paint in the can. Simply the best custom mixed paint in spray cans for automotive restoration. Thank you Paint Scratch.

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Matt M.
Sept 6

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I am a multiple time purchaser from this company. Each time they have provided me high quality products that are reasonably priced. The products come in a timely manner well packaged. The resources they provide have given me excellent guidance about how to use their products. I give this company my highest rating With No Reservations. A+ Reason I chose this business: There is no comparison possible. They are in League of Their Own as far as I'm concerned.

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