COLOR CODEPRJ - Lava Red PearlMitsubishi Touch-Up Paint

The Look

If you are driving a Raider, you are driving a piece of truck history that looks best when it is glowing. This color was the flagship choice for the mid-size pickup during its short run, and it was designed to stand out in a sea of boring white and gray work trucks. Since your vehicle has likely been on the road since the mid-2000s, that deep red has probably lost a bit of its factory punch. It is a sophisticated, heavy red that feels more like a custom hot rod finish than a standard factory option.

Technical Details

This is a Pearl finish, which is significantly more complex than a standard solid color. The depth comes from tiny mica flakes that catch the light at different angles. This makes for a beautiful finish, but it can be a headache for repairs. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, those pearls will bunch up and create dark, muddy patches that look like a bruise on your truck. You want to see the red through the shimmer, not a face full of silver sparkles. Because it is a pearl, you must apply a clear coat once the color is set, or the repair will look dull and flat compared to the rest of the panel.

Best Practices

You can usually find your identification sticker on the driver side door jamb, though on some models, you might need to check the center of the firewall under the hood. Before you spray or dab Mitsubishi Lava Red Pearl (check for code PRJ), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to get those settled pearls back into the mix. Test the color on the included card first to see how the pigment behaves. When you start the repair, keep the container moving to ensure the particles lay down evenly. Use several thin layers rather than one thick one, and give each layer plenty of drying time before adding the next. This patience prevents the metallic "mottling" effect and helps the new paint blend into the original finish of your garage.