COLOR CODEPDE - BlackJaguar Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This is the deep, unforgiving shade that defined the XJ6 and XJS during the mid-eighties. It is a pure, non-metallic void that makes your Jaguar look like a rolling inkwell. Because your car has lived through several decades, the original finish has likely developed a character of its own. This color does not hide anything. It highlights every curve of the bodywork, but it also shows every speck of dust and every swirl mark from years of car washes. When it is right, it looks expensive and authoritative, but it demands that you keep the surface clean if you want that mirror effect.

Technical Details

You are working with a solid finish. Unlike modern metallics that use flakes to hide imperfections, this pigment is honest and direct. The benefit is that you do not have to worry about metallic particles settling unevenly or creating dark stripes. The risk is that solid black shows texture more than any other color. If you apply it too thick, you will see ripples. If you apply it too thin, it will look dull. Your goal is a smooth, level layer that mimics the factory gloss. Since there is no sparkle to distract the eye, your prep work on the surface will determine exactly how well the repair disappears into the surrounding panel.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Jaguar Black (check for code PDE), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to ensure the pigments are fully integrated. You can usually find your paint code stamped on a metal plate located on the radiator crossover rail under the hood or tucked inside the driver's side door jamb. To get the best result, test the color on the included card to see how the depth matches your aged paint. When you move to the car, keep the container moving to avoid puddles and give each layer enough drying time so the paint stays flat. If you are using a pen or brush for a stone chip, build the color up in thin applications rather than trying to fill the hole in one heavy drop.