Chevrolet Light Red (75 (1976)) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This is a quintessential mid-seventies "working red." It lacks the deep, dark maroon tones of later eras, leaning instead into a bright, tomato-like vibrancy that defined the bicentennial year. Because it was used on everything from the Chevelle Laguna to the Caprice and various trucks, it has a versatile, utilitarian character. Since your vehicle has been on the road since 1976, you will likely notice that the original finish has softened or shifted toward a flatter, more orange-ish hue due to decades of sun exposure. This is a bold, honest color that doesn't hide behind metallic tricks; it simply stands out.

Technical Details

This is a pure solid finish, meaning there are no metallic flakes or pearls to worry about. The benefit is that you don't have to worry about the orientation of the paint or "mottling" stripes, but the trade-off is that solid reds are very unforgiving with surface prep. Because the color is so saturated, any scratch or unevenness in your primer will show through the final coat. Solid red pigments are also notoriously heavy and prone to settling at the bottom of the container, which can lead to a patchy look if the mixture isn't perfectly uniform.

Best Practices

On most vehicles from this era, you can find your confirmation by looking at the metal cowl tag riveted to the firewall under the hood or on the service label inside the glove box. Before you spray or dab Chevrolet Light Red (check for code 75 (1976)), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to ensure the pigments are fully suspended. Always test the color on the included card to see how the new paint reacts against your specific level of vintage fade. When applying, keep the container moving in steady passes to prevent the paint from pooling. Give it ample drying time between light coats to build the color depth without causing runs or heavy edges.