Ford Dark Toreador Red Pearl (JL/M6771) Touch Up Paint

The Look

Your F-Series truck or Bronco likely wears this color like a heavy-duty uniform. During its peak years, this was the go-to choice for owners who wanted a look that was more sophisticated than a standard fire-engine red but tougher than a metallic silver. It is a deep, soulful maroon that holds a lot of weight in the shade but reveals a fiery, ruby glow the moment the sun hits the body lines. Because your vehicle has likely spent a decade or two facing the elements, the original finish might have darkened slightly, making it one of the more character-filled reds in the Ford history books.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which means it relies on translucent mica particles rather than simple silver flakes to create its depth. These particles are heavier than the paint itself and love to settle at the bottom of your container. If you do not mix them thoroughly, your repair will look flat, dark, and muddy. The mica is what gives the paint its "flip," or the way the color seems to shift as you walk around the vehicle. To get that factory depth, you have to ensure those particles stay suspended in the liquid so they can lay down evenly on the surface.

Best Practices

You will find your paint code on the driver's side door jamb sticker, usually listed next to the "EXT PNT" label. Before you spray or dab Ford Dark Toreador Red Pearl (check for code JL/M6771), you need to shake it for at least 60 seconds to wake up the pearl. Test the color on the included card to see how the light hits it before you touch the car. When you start the repair, use several light layers. Applying it too thick in a single pass will cause the color to lose its brilliance. Keep the container moving and allow for plenty of drying time between each layer to build up the rich, dark base that defines this classic Ford look.