COLOR CODEDI - Dark Ink Blue PearlMercury Touch-Up Paint

The Look

Since your Milan or Sable belongs to the final era of the Mercury brand, you know this color is all about understated class. It looks nearly black in the shade but wakes up with a deep, oceanic glow once you move it into the light. Because your car has been on the road for well over a decade, the original finish has likely weathered the sun and road debris, so your repair will need to account for a bit of natural paint aging.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which means it contains specialized mica flakes rather than standard metal bits. Pearl finishes are temperamental because the flakes like to sink to the bottom of the container. If you apply the paint too thick, those pearls clump together and make the repair look muddy or darker than the rest of the panel. The secret to success is thin layers that allow the mica to lay flat and catch the light from multiple angles.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Mercury Dark Ink Blue Pearl (check for code DI), you need to shake the container for a full minute to lift the heavy pearls from the bottom. Find your code on the driver's side door jamb sticker, usually listed next to the "EXT PNT" text. Always test the color on the included card before you touch the car to see how it matches your current paint. While working in your garage or the shade, keep the container moving to ensure the flakes distribute evenly across the surface. Give the paint plenty of drying time between each light pass so the finish stays crisp and level.