Dodge Burnished Silver Metallic (TA3 (1980)) Touch Up Paint

The Look

Back in 1980, Dodge was leaning into a rugged, industrial aesthetic for its heavy hitters. Whether you are patching up a Prospector pickup or a Tradesman van, this color represents a specific era of Mopar utility. It is not a flashy, modern chrome; instead, it offers a refined, working-class grit that helped those square-body trucks look substantial even when covered in dust. Since your vehicle has likely spent four decades facing the elements, the original finish has probably matured, but this silver remains the correct backbone for that classic 1980 silhouette.

Technical Details

This is a true metallic finish, which means the look relies entirely on how the tiny aluminum flakes settle on the surface. Silver is notorious for showing every mistake, and because this is a metallic, you run the risk of mottling. Mottling happens when the flakes cluster together, creating dark spots or "tiger stripes" that make the paint look uneven. To prevent this, you have to be mindful of your layering. Heavy, wet coats will drown the flakes and cause them to sink or drift, ruining that uniform factory glow. Thin, even passes are the only way to keep the finish looking consistent.

Best Practices

Locating your identification tag on these vintage models can be a hunt. Start by checking the driver side door jamb or looking under the hood on the radiator support. Before you spray or dab Dodge Burnished Silver Metallic (check for code TA3 (1980)), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. This is a metallic, so the pigments settle at the bottom quickly. Test the color on the included card to ensure the flake density matches your current paint. When you start, keep the container moving at all times to avoid heavy build-up. Once you finish the color, give it ample drying time before you move on to the clear coat, as rushing the process will trap gasses and cloud the silver.