Ford Platinum Poly (Z (1960)) Touch Up Paint

The Look

In 1960, Ford moved away from the heavy pastels of the fifties toward something sleeker. This shade was the peak of that transition, appearing on everything from the debut Falcon to the iconic Thunderbird. It is a refined silver-grey that manages to look expensive without being loud. Because your car has lived a full life since the Eisenhower administration, the original finish has likely shifted toward a warmer tone. Silver is a forgiving choice for a daily driver because it hides light road dust well, but on a classic 1960 model, it serves as a reminder of the early space-age aesthetic.

Technical Details

This is a polychromatic finish, which means it relies on tiny metallic flakes to catch the light. These flakes are heavy and love to sink to the bottom of your container. If they stay at the bottom, your repair will look like flat grey mud instead of shimmering metal. You also need to watch out for mottling, where the silver looks splotchy or uneven. This happens when the paint stays wet for too long or goes on too thick, allowing the metal particles to clump together. Keeping your layers thin is the only way to ensure the metallic particles lay flat and reflect light correctly.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Ford Platinum Poly (check for code Z (1960)), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to wake up those dormant metallic flakes. You can usually find your data plate on the rear face of the driver's side door pillar or the edge of the door itself. To get the best result, apply several thin layers rather than one heavy coat, and always keep the container moving to ensure the metal spreads evenly. Work in a cool garage or the shade to prevent the paint from drying too fast. Test the color on the included card first to see how those flakes lay down before you touch the actual car.