Ford Merlot Pearl (FX/M7087) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color defines a specific era of Ford design, appearing on everything from the workhorse Econoline to the fourth-generation Mustang. It is a deep, moody burgundy that mimics the look of a dark red wine. Because your vehicle has been on the road since the mid-2000s, the original finish has probably faced significant sun exposure. This means a fresh coat might look slightly more vibrant than the aged paint on your Taurus or F-Series. While this shade is excellent at hiding road grime and dust, it requires light to truly show off its depth; in the shade, it can almost pass for black.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which is more complex than a standard solid or metallic paint. It relies on tiny mica flakes to catch and reflect light at different angles. The challenge with a pearl like this is that the mica particles are heavy and tend to settle at the bottom of the container. If they aren't distributed evenly, the repair will look like a flat, muddy maroon instead of a deep shimmer. You have to be mindful of how the light hits the panel because pearl finishes are sensitive to the direction of application.

Best Practices

You will find your color information on the vehicle identification sticker located on the driver's side door jamb. Before you spray or dab Ford Merlot Pearl (check for code FX/M7087), you need to shake the container for at least one full minute to get those mica flakes suspended. Test the color on the included card to see how the pearl reacts before you touch the actual car. Work in the shade to prevent the paint from drying too fast, which can cause the finish to look uneven. Keep the container moving at a steady pace and apply thin layers, allowing for enough drying time between each pass to build the depth slowly.