COLOR CODEDR - Dark Cherry Red PearlHyundai Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This shade represents a pivotal era for Hyundai, marking the transition from the simple economy of the Pony Excel to the mainstream success of the Santa Fe. It is a deep, wine-colored hue that leans more toward elegance than aggressive sportiness. Because this color was active for over two decades, your paint has likely weathered its fair share of sun and road debris. While it masks light road film well, the dark pigment acts like a spotlight for deep scratches, making maintenance a priority for any owner who wants to keep that classic depth.

Technical Details

You are dealing with a pearl finish, which is more complex than a standard solid red. It contains mica particles that catch the light to create a sense of three-dimensional depth, but those same particles can be difficult to manage. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the pearl can bunch up and create dark, muddy patches. Because these pigments are heavy, they tend to sink to the bottom of the container, making thorough mixing your most important step before you begin.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Hyundai Dark Cherry Red Pearl (check for code DR), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. You can typically find your paint code on the firewall near the center of the engine bay on an older Excel, or inside the driver's side door jamb on a Santa Fe. Always test the color on the included card to see how the pearl flakes lay down before touching your car. To get a clean match, keep the container moving and apply multiple thin coats, allowing for plenty of drying time between each layer.