Dodge Bright Yellow (DT-2469 (1973)) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is not the flamboyant Top Banana or Lemon Twist you see on the muscle car circuit. It is a blue-collar staple that defined the utility of the 1973 truck line. Since your Dodge has likely been on the road since the early seventies, you are dealing with a high-visibility shade designed for job sites and highways. It is an honest, hardworking yellow that looks at home on a D100 or a Power Wagon. Because these trucks often lived outside, the original paint on your metal has probably shifted or faded over the decades, giving the truck a slightly more muted character than the day it left the factory.

Technical Details

This is a solid finish, which is good news for your repair. Unlike metallic paints that can look blotchy if the flakes do not lay down right, this solid pigment is much more predictable. However, yellow is a naturally transparent color family. If you try to cover a dark primer or a black scratch in one heavy pass, the dark background will make the yellow look muddy. You want a light-colored surface underneath to help the pigment stay bright. While it is easier to blend than a pearl, you still need to build your color in thin layers to avoid drips or uneven buildup.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Dodge Bright Yellow (check for code DT-2469 (1973)), you need to shake the container for a full sixty seconds. Yellow pigments are heavy and settle quickly; if they are not fully mixed, the color will look thin and watery. You can typically find your paint code on the metal plate attached to the driver's side door jamb or on the radiator support under the hood. Test the color on the included card to check the match against your specific level of fading. When you are ready to apply, work in a cool garage or the shade, and keep the container moving to ensure the finish stays level. Give each layer enough drying time so the paint can set properly before you apply the next coat or a clear topcoat.