Ford Magnetic (9578) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is the industrial backbone of the Ford lineup. Whether it is coating your Ranger for a weekend haul or keeping your Explorer looking sharp in the carpool lane, this dark charcoal is designed to look professional even when it is covered in road grime. It is the ultimate choice for the Transit Connect or Escape because it bridges the gap between a rugged work truck and a high-end SUV. While other colors scream for attention, this shade is content to provide a deep, sophisticated backdrop that highlights the sharp body lines of your vehicle without showing every speck of dust you pick up on the highway.

Technical Details

You are dealing with a metallic finish, which means the paint is packed with tiny flakes that reflect light to create that signature depth. These flakes are heavy and love to sink to the bottom of the container, so if you are lazy with your preparation, the repair will look like a dull, flat grey instead of a shimmering match. Metallic paints carry a risk of mottling, which happens when those flakes clump together in dark spots or streaks. If you apply the paint too heavily in one area, the finish will look uneven and cloudy once it dries, so you must stay disciplined with your application layers.

Best Practices

Start by opening your driver's side door and looking at the safety sticker on the jamb; your paint code is listed right next to the exterior paint label. Before you spray or dab Ford Magnetic (check for code 9578), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to ensure the metallic flakes are fully suspended in the liquid. Since you are likely working in your garage or a reliable patch of shade, keep the container moving at all times to prevent the paint from pooling. Test the color on the included card first to verify the flake density before you move to the vehicle. Allow for plenty of drying time between light coats to build the color gradually rather than trying to cover the damage in one heavy pass.