COLOR CODE3-D (1974) - Medium Blue PolyFord Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This shade is a pure time capsule from a year when Ford was transitioning its lineup toward more efficient, stylish cruisers. Whether your paint is on a classic F-Series truck or a first-year Mustang II, this color provides a professional, balanced look that is neither too dark nor too bright. Because it served a limited run, seeing it on the road today is a treat. It captures the essence of the mid-seventies with a tone that manages to look rugged on a flat body panel while still showing off the curves of a coupe.

Technical Details

You are working with a metallic finish, which means there are thousands of tiny aluminum flakes suspended in the paint. Before you spray or dab Ford Medium Blue Poly (check for code 3-D (1974)), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds. If those flakes are not perfectly mixed, you will end up with mottling, which looks like dark and light stripes or clouds in your finish. Since your Ford has likely been on the road for decades, keep in mind that the original paint may have shifted slightly due to sun exposure, so the metallic depth of your fresh paint will always look its best when applied in thin, even layers.

Best Practices

You can find your paint code on the metal data plate riveted to the driver's side door jamb or pillar. Before you begin the actual repair, test the color on the included card to see how the metallics lay down. When you are ready to apply the paint, keep the container moving at a steady pace to prevent the flakes from piling up in one spot. If you are using a pen or brush for a small chip, use a light dabbing motion rather than a long stroke to keep the metallic particles distributed evenly. Work in your garage or a patch of shade to ensure the surface is cool to the touch, which helps the paint flow correctly as it dries.