COLOR CODENH81M-3 - Slate Gray MetallicHonda Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This color is a rare slice of the eighties. Because it only appeared on the 1983 Accord, your car represents a very specific moment in Honda design history. This isn't a modern, flashy silver. It is a deep, industrial gray that gives the car a grounded and professional appearance. Since your Accord has been on the road for over forty years, the original finish likely shows some character. This shade does a fine job of blending into those aged panels without looking out of place, making it a practical choice for preserving a classic.

Technical Details

This is a metallic finish, which means the paint contains tiny flakes designed to catch the light. These flakes are heavy and settle at the bottom of your container quickly. If you do not mix them thoroughly, the repair will look like a flat, dark smudge instead of a shimmering gray. Metallics can be temperamental; if you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the flakes bunch together and create dark streaks or "mottling." You need to maintain a steady flow and keep the container moving to ensure the metallic particles lay down in a uniform pattern across the surface.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Honda Slate Gray Metallic (check for code NH81M-3), you need to shake it for at least 60 seconds to wake up those metallic flakes. You can usually find your paint code on a metal plate riveted to the firewall in the engine compartment or on the driver's door jamb. Always test the color on the included card to see how the flakes react before you touch the car. Since you are likely working in a garage or the shade, pay close attention to the drying time between thin layers. Thick coats are the enemy of a metallic finish, so build the color slowly to ensure the new paint matches the texture of the old.