Chevrolet Atomic Orange (83U/WA418P) Touch Up Paint

The Look

Your Corvette is wearing one of the most expressive colors ever to roll out of Bowling Green. Produced only between 2007 and 2009, this shade replaced the older, more subdued copper tones with something far more aggressive. It is a high-energy hue that behaves like a chameleon under different lights. In the shade of your garage, you might notice a soft, almost peachy glow, but once you pull into the sun, the finish explodes into a bright, fiery copper. Because your car has likely spent over a decade facing the elements, the original clear coat might have thinned, so a careful touch-up is the best way to keep that iconic C6 profile looking sharp.

Technical Details

This is a complex Pearl Metallic finish, which means it relies on tiny flakes to catch and reflect light from multiple angles. Before you spray or dab Chevrolet Atomic Orange (check for code 83U/WA418P), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. Metallics are notorious for mottling, which is when the flakes cluster together to create dark, uneven blotches or "tiger stripes." This usually happens if the paint is applied too thick or too close to the surface. To avoid this, focus on building the color through multiple thin layers. If you are using a pen, keep your dabs light. If you are using a can, keep the container moving in steady passes to ensure the flakes lay down flat and even.

Best Practices

You can find your paint code sticker inside the glove box, usually listed near the bottom of the "Service Parts Identification" label. Before you begin the repair, test the color on the included card to see how it reacts to your specific lighting. If the match looks slightly dark, your coats might be too heavy; thinner layers usually help the metallic flakes stay bright. Clean the area thoroughly to remove any old wax that could cause the new paint to bead up. Once you finish with the color, let the drying time pass completely before applying a clear coat. That final layer is what truly brings the pearl effect to life and protects the repair from fading in the summer sun.