Dodge Candy Apple Red Metallic Tricoat (HC/RHC) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is the definitive premium look of the mid-nineties Dodge lineup, famously giving the cab-forward design of the Intrepid a deep, glass-like finish. It is a rich, high-pigment red that looks different from every angle, making your car look like it just rolled out of a custom shop rather than a factory line. Since your Dodge has likely been on the road since 1996 or 1997, the finish has probably developed its own character from years of sun exposure, so the depth of the red is the key to a successful repair.

Technical Details

This is not a simple red; it is a metallic tricoat. This means the finish relies on three distinct layers: a solid base color, a translucent metallic mid-coat that provides the "candy" effect, and a final clear layer. The biggest challenge you face is that the color gets darker with every layer of the mid-coat you apply. If you stay too long in one spot, you will end up with a dark red patch that stands out against the older, original paint. Because the metallic flakes are suspended in that translucent layer, they need to lay flat to catch the light correctly.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Dodge Candy Apple Red Metallic Tricoat (check for code HC/RHC), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to ensure the metallic particles are not clumped at the bottom. You can find your paint code on the driver's side door jamb sticker or occasionally on a metal plate under the hood near the radiator support. Test the color on the included card first, specifically checking how many coats of the mid-layer you need to match your car's current shade. Work in a cool, dry garage or in the shade to prevent the paint from drying too fast. When applying, keep the container moving at a steady pace to avoid heavy spots, and allow plenty of drying time between each layer to build the color gradually.