4431-LM - Flat Burgundy Fleet Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is a veteran of the road. It has a deep, brick-like gravity that defined commercial and utility aesthetics from the mid-sixties all the way through the turn of the millennium. It doesn't scream for attention like a bright cherry red, but it carries a professional weight. Since your vehicle has likely been in service for quite some time, this shade is excellent at hiding the minor road grime and dust that would make a high-gloss finish look neglected. It is a no-nonsense, industrial burgundy that feels as sturdy as the steel it covers.

Technical Details

You are working with a solid finish. Because there are no metallic flakes or pearls to worry about, you won't have to deal with the paint looking striped or blotchy from different angles. However, the flat characteristic of this pigment presents a different challenge. Matte and low-luster finishes show every inconsistency in how the paint is layered. If you apply it too heavily in one spot, it might dry with a slight shine that won't match the rest of the panel. You want a uniform, velvet-like texture across the entire repair area to maintain that classic fleet appearance.

Best Practices

Locating your identification tag is usually as simple as checking the driver-side door jamb or looking inside the glove box. Before you apply Fleet Flat Burgundy (verify code 4431-LM), you must shake the container for at least sixty seconds to properly distribute the flattening agents that keep the finish from looking too glossy. Test the color on the included card to confirm it matches your current paint, which may have shifted over decades of sun exposure. When you begin, keep the container moving and apply very thin layers. Rushing the drying time between coats is the quickest way to ruin the matte effect, so stay patient and let each layer set properly in the shade.