Dodge Chestnut Brown Pearl Metallic (FU7) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This is a rare slice of 1987 history. While many manufacturers were moving toward bright, synthetic tones, Dodge leaned into this deep, organic earth tone for its trucks and vans. It is a workhorse color that feels right at home on a classic Ramcharger or an old D-Series pickup. Because your vehicle has likely spent decades facing the sun and the road, the original finish might have flattened out. This shade is excellent at hiding light dust and road grime, but it requires a bit of finesse to restore that deep, woody glow it had when it left the lot.

Technical Details

Working with Dodge Chestnut Brown Pearl Metallic (check for code FU7) is more complex than a standard flat brown because it contains both metallic flakes and pearl pigments. These tiny particles like to clump together or sink to the bottom of the container. If you apply it too heavily in one spot, you will see dark splotches or "mottling" where the metal bits gathered. To get an even look that matches the rest of the panel, you must ensure those flakes are suspended evenly in the liquid. If the finish looks uneven, it is usually because the particles were not distributed well during application.

Best Practices

You can usually find your paint code on a metal plate attached to the radiator support or inside the driver's side door jamb. Before you start the repair, you must shake your container for at least two full minutes; the heavy metallic sediment in this specific 1987 formula needs a lot of encouragement to mix. Test the color on the included card to see how the pearl reacts to light before you touch the vehicle. When you are ready to apply the paint, keep the container moving and use thin, light layers. Heavy coats will cause the metallic flakes to drown, making the patch look darker than the surrounding area. Allow plenty of drying time between layers to let the pigments set exactly where they land.