Dodge White (W2) Touch Up Paint

The Look

You are looking at a true workhorse of the mid-eighties. This color defined the look of the Dodge Van fleets and the early utility days of the Dakota and the Rampage. It is a bright, honest white that does not try to be anything else. While it looks clean from a distance, it is a high-maintenance shade that highlights every bit of road grime and tar. Since your vehicle has been on the road for nearly four decades, you will likely notice that the original finish has developed a chalky, oxidized layer. This means the fresh paint will look significantly brighter than the rest of the body until you give the surrounding area a good buffing to bring back the shine.

Technical Details

This is a solid finish, which is good news for your repair. Because there is no metallic flake or pearl in the mix, you do not have to worry about the paint looking darker or lighter from different angles. You also avoid the risk of mottling, those frustrating dark stripes that happen when metal particles clump together. The main challenge here is the sheer brightness of the pigment. Solid whites are unforgiving when it comes to surface prep; any speck of dust or hair that lands in the wet paint will stand out like a beacon. Work in a clean garage or wait for a very still day in the shade to keep the finish smooth.

Best Practices

To find your confirmation, look for a small metal plate screwed to the driver-side inner fender or the radiator support bar under the hood. Before you spray or dab Dodge White (check for code W2), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. This is critical for ensuring the pigments are fully suspended so the color matches the factory standard. Test the color on the included card to see how it looks against your weathered paint. When you are ready to apply, keep the container moving across the surface to prevent the paint from pooling. Give it plenty of drying time between coats to ensure the finish stays level and does not run.