Dodge White (W3/DT1616) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This is the quintessential workhorse shade of the mid-eighties. Whether it is on a 1986 Ram Pickup, a Ramcharger Sport Utility, or a B-Series Van, this color defines the era of utilitarian Mopar design. It is a clean, honest white that does not pretend to be anything else. Because your vehicle has likely spent decades in the sun or on the job site, the original finish might have a slight chalky texture. You should clean the surface thoroughly so your repair does not stand out against years of road film. This color was designed to look professional and sharp, and it still does when the panels are uniform.

Technical Details

You are working with a solid finish. The lack of metallic flakes or pearl additives makes this one of the most forgiving colors to repair, as you do not have to worry about pigments settling in weird patterns or creating dark shadows. However, solid white is opinionated in its own way because it hides nothing. While it stays cooler in the sun than darker colors, it will highlight every speck of dirt or bit of rust that you fail to remove during prep. The benefit here is simplicity; your main goal is achieving a smooth level of paint that matches the surrounding thickness.

Best Practices

Finding your paint code on these older models can be a bit of a hunt. Check the driver's side door jamb first, but if it is not there, look under the hood on the radiator support or the firewall. Before you spray or dab Dodge White (check for code W3/DT1616), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds to ensure the pigment is fully suspended. Test the color on the included card to see how the fresh paint sits against your aged finish. When applying, keep the container moving to avoid heavy build-up in one spot. If you are applying multiple layers, give each one plenty of drying time to avoid runs. Working in a cool garage or the shade will help the paint lay flat and dry at a natural pace.