COLOR CODER-37Z - Caribbean RedHonda Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This color belongs to a specific moment in history when the second-generation Civic was proving that small cars could be both reliable and punchy. It is a bright, unapologetic red that defines the early 1980s Japanese aesthetic. Since your car has likely been on the road since the Reagan administration, the original finish has probably moved a shade or two away from its factory brilliance. This red is a survivor, and it gives the boxy lines of a vintage hatchback a level of energy that modern grayscale cars simply lack.

Technical Details

This is a solid finish. Because there are no metallic flakes or pearl additives inside the mixture, you do not have to worry about the paint looking striped or blotchy. Solid colors provide a deep, consistent look, but they are honest. They show every bit of texture left behind by poor sanding. Red pigments are also historically sensitive to the sun, so the contrast between fresh paint and your existing panels might be noticeable if the car has spent years parked outside.

Best Practices

You can find your factory identification plate attached to the driver's side door jamb or stamped directly onto the firewall behind the engine. Before you apply Honda Caribbean Red (check for code R-37Z), you must shake the container for at least sixty seconds to ensure the heavy red pigments are fully suspended. Test the color on the included card to verify the match against your specific car. When you begin, keep the container moving across the surface to prevent the paint from pooling. Allow for plenty of drying time between each thin coat to build the color up properly without creating runs or sags.