Dodge Claret Red Pearl Metallic (GM4/DT3497) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is the definitive shade of the late-eighties suburban landscape. If you are working on a classic Caravan, you are dealing with a deep, wine-pressed maroon that was designed to look upscale and sophisticated during the minivan revolution. Because your Dodge has likely been on the road for over thirty years, the original finish has almost certainly shifted due to sun exposure. You should expect the fresh paint to look a bit deeper and more saturated than the aged panels of your vehicle. It is a moody red that reveals its hidden depth only when the light hits those pearl highlights.

Technical Details

This is a pearl metallic finish, which means it is much more temperamental than a standard solid red. The tiny pearl flakes provide that signature glow, but they are heavy and love to settle at the bottom of the container. If you do not mix the paint perfectly, the color will look thin or translucent. There is also a risk of mottling-where the metallic flakes clump together and create dark, uneven patches. To avoid this, you must apply the paint in light, even layers. If you pile it on too thick in one go, the flakes will swim in the wet paint and ruin the uniform look of the finish.

Best Practices

On these older Dodges, you can typically find your paint code on a metal plate under the hood attached to the radiator support, or on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb. Before you start the repair, shake the container vigorously for at least two minutes to fully suspend the pearl particles. Test the color on the included card to see how the metallic behaves before you touch the car. When applying, keep the container moving to ensure the flakes land evenly. Give the paint plenty of drying time between each layer to prevent sagging. Once the color is uniform, a clear coat is necessary to protect the pearl and bring out that factory shine in the shade or your garage.