Cart
Help Desk
Black Touch Up Paint: What’s The Story Behind This Classic Color?
We’ve given a lot of attention to the color gray but we think it’s time to go a bit…darker. Black is one of the most popular automotive colors across the board. It’s no surprise that automotive companies have created countless different types of black touch up paint. These various shades of black are some of our bestsellers. We’ve already talked about the darkest shade of black and the challenges of putting it on your car, but what about the other black cars out there? Let’s take a look at some of our favorite shades of black touch up paint.
Matte
This flat black is all the rage these days. While we love a metallic, there’s just something about a matte paint that screams stealth and luxury. Matte shades, usually reserved for custom wraps and paint jobs, are breaking into the mainstream with companies dropping matte colors in their fresh from factory line-ups. Here are some of our favs.
Jaguar – Ligurian Black Satin
Also available on Jaguar’s sister make, Land Rover, the Ligurian Black Satin (color code: 2358/PPM) can be found in recent years on the Jaguar F-Type. While its sleek and stealthy look is a stunner, matte always requires a few extra precautions from its drivers. It can hide small scratches well but things get tricky when you’re dealing with a deeper scratch. For deep scratches, you will likely need to repaint entirely.
Chevrolet – Panther Black Matte
In 2023, Chevy announced that they would be discontinuing the legendary Camaro in 2024. As a goodbye present, they gave the world the Camaro Collector’s Edition. It was nicknamed Panther after the Camaro’s first code name in the 60s. Among many other features and goodies, the Panther was offered in Matte Black for the first time. The shade was given the color code: GNW/WA151H. Who knows what the future holds for the Panther Black Matte or the Camaro itself. As Chevy itself teased, “This is not the end of Camaro’s story.”
BMW – Vantablack
Let’s look at our old friend, the Vantablack. In 2019, BMW showcased a Vantablack clad X6 concept car at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung. They called it “The Beast”. Designed by Hussein Al Attar, The Beast is technically a coating of carbon nanotubes that can absorb incident light almost completely. While the company has no plans at all to make the Vantablack available on their cars, those willing to pay a premium can get a slightly lighter Frozen Black color on their BMW.
Metallic, Pearl & Tricoats
There are an infinite amount of classic black cars that have captured our hearts, but we’re going to spend this blog taking a deep dive into some colors that are a little more complicated. These cars are just a few examples of how far automotive paint technology has come.
Toyota – Midnight Black Metallic
In the 2010s, Toyota made the switch up from regular ole black to something a little fancier. Midnight Black Metallic has, as you’ve probably guessed, a metallic paint effect.This means that the paint has aluminum flakes mixed into the paint. As you’ll see later, this can make for some drastic color changes when you catch it in the right light. With the 218 color code, the flakes in the paint create a bluish tint that surprises some drivers. Take a look here to see how we color match and spruce up a 2018 Midnight Black Metallic 4Runner that had some trail damage.
Hyundai – Black Noir Pearl
From the Veracruz to the Venue, Black Noir Pearl has enjoyed a long run in Hyundai’s color catalog. Given the color code: NKA/MJB/MZH/TB7, this shade has a special shine to it. While some pearl effects on car paint come from Tricoats, these have a very similar journey as metallic paint. The pearl effects in cars like this come from ceramic or mica flakes in the paint. These flakes both reflect and refract light, leading to an iridescent effect.
Bentley – Onyx Over Tungsten
Used frequently on the Bentley Mulsanne to great effect, the Onyx Over Tungsten is a different way to get a special effect on your car coat. Tricoats like the Onyx Over Tungsten (color code: 6167), achieve their magic through a multi-layer system. Normally, the steps go: Primer, Colorcoat, Clearcoat. Tricoats add a layer in between the Colorcoat and the Clearcoat. This usually creates a Candy or Pearl effect.
Wait…Is That Even Black?
Sometimes, the color of your vehicle depends on the light it’s in. These are the gorgeously deceptive shades of black that have you questioning what you’re seeing.
McLaren – Amethyst Black
While McLaren’s F1 team found great success clad in Papaya Orange during the 60s and 70s, we’re going across the color wheel to gaze upon the Amethyst Black. First introduced with the McLaren P1, drivers say that this paint job must be seen to be believed. With its gorgeous purple undertones, your McLaren supercar can go from Batman to Prince with a shift of the light.
Chevy – Black Cherry Metallic
Introduced in 2020, the Chevrolet Black Cherry is a sight to behold. While appearing to be black, it was actually a dark and iridescent red. Given the color code: GLR/WA326E, Black Cherry Metallic graced the surfaces of many Chevrolets including the Traverse, the Malibu, and the Trax. Unfortunately, the Black Cherry Metallic was discontinued on August 28th, 2023. She lives on in our hearts…and on some of our Chevys.
Honda – Black Copper Pearl
Designated with the color code: YR-601P, the Black Copper Pearl was introduced by Honda in 2019. Most notable for its appearance on the Honda Passport, the Black Copper Pearl has been noted by many Honda drivers to be pitch black on the showroom floor. This shade stuns people when it goes out into the light. Depending on your angle and the position of the sun, it turns from black to a brassy or cola colored brown.
How To Use Black Touch Up Paint
No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. It’s almost inevitable that your beloved black car will meet with a scratch or two. So what do you do if your black paint (or your “looks black but is actually purple” paint) becomes damaged? Luckily, you happen to know a TouchUpPaint company that has access to tons of black touch up paint. TouchUpDirect matches color codes direct from your manufacturer’s database. Looking for formulas for shades created in the 60s and 70s? We got it covered! We even make our own universal black color kit. This black paint works with all basic black models of Volkswagen, Bentley, GMC, Oldsmobile, GM, Chrysler, Ford, Isuzu, Jeep, Chevrolet, and Cadillac. Once you’ve gotten your paint (universal or otherwise), it’s time to fix up that paint job.
First, determine how big the size of the scratch is. This will allow you to figure out which applicator you’ll need. For scratches the size of a pencil eraser or smaller, you’ll want to use the Pen applicator to fix the damage. For areas the size of a quarter or smaller, a Brush applicator is the recommended fix. For large panels, you’ll want to use Aerosol spray. Start out the touch up process by testing your paint on the testing card. You’ll want to include the Clearcoat on the card so you know if you have the correct match. If the damage on your vehicle is showing metal or substrate, put down Primer on the target area. This will allow the paint to stick to the surface of the car. Apply 2 to 3 coats evenly over the damaged area. Allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the Colorcoat. The Colorcoat is the actual shade you see on your vehicle. Again, apply 2 to 3 even coats before allowing it to dry. Finish up with Clearcoat. You know the drill by now. 2 to 3 even coats with 15 minutes in between. In addition to giving your coat a glossy shine, this layer provides durability. It protects your paint from the sun and everyday contaminants. Wait 48 hours for the Clearcoat to dry before applying any wax or polish.
Studies on car colors say that black exudes elegance and power. It’s no wonder that so many car companies have created their own unique spin on such a classic shade. Black was the color put on the very first car, the Model T. So whether you’re a matte fanatic or pearl obsessed, all of these black hues are not only gorgeous, but part of a great car legacy.
Is your black car paint scratched? Order from TouchUpDirect’s website and fix it up yourself. Our product comes with glowing reviews from other customers and free shipping in the USA on most orders (Alaska and Hawaii get free shipping on everything but Aerosol and Professional sizes). Your order is just a click away! If you are a more visual learner and have issues with your cars, trucks or motorcycles that need a fix, we recommend that you watch the videos on our YouTube channel! Get the details on how a variety of DIY projects you can undertake! Our videos range from learning how to get a perfect finish using a polishing kit to touching up motorcycles to instructions on your DIY projects.
