Dodge Spinnaker White (W-1 (1976)) Touch Up Paint

The Look

Your 1976 Dodge is a product of a transitional era in American automotive design, and this shade was the clean, utilitarian canvas for everything from the Aspen to the Charger. It is a stark, honest white that lacks the creamy undertones of earlier decades, giving your car a bright, sharp presence on the road. Since your vehicle has been around since the mid-seventies, you are dealing with a color that defines the vintage Mopar look without the distractions of modern pearls. It provides a high-contrast backdrop for chrome bumpers and trim, though it is famously unforgiving when it comes to road grime and grease.

Technical Details

This is a solid finish, which is both a blessing and a challenge for your repair. Because there are no metallic flakes or pearl additives to worry about, you do not have to fret over the orientation of particles or "tiger stripes" in the finish. However, a solid white like this highlights every bit of texture or dust that lands in the wet paint. Before you spray or dab Dodge Spinnaker White (check for code W-1 (1976)), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. The lack of metallic sparkle means that any unevenness in your surface prep will show up clearly, so ensure the area is level and smooth before you begin.

Best Practices

You will usually find your paint code stamped onto the metal fender tag located on the driver-side inner fender well under the hood. If it is not there, check for a sticker on the driver-side door pillar. When you are ready to work, move the car into a ventilated garage or a patch of deep shade to keep the metal surface cool. Test the color on the included card to ensure the shade matches the aged paint on your panels. When applying, keep the container moving to prevent the paint from pooling. Give each layer enough drying time so the finish sets hard and flat, which helps this bright white resist staining from oils and dirt in the future.