GMC Medium Bronze Irid. (522 (1970)) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This is the definitive earth tone of the early 1970s truck era. It sits somewhere between a rugged mountain trail and a polished copper penny, making it a perfect match for the heavy-duty lines of a 1970 GMC C/K or Jimmy. Because your truck has likely spent decades in the sun or working on the farm, the original finish has probably mellowed into a warmer, flatter version of its former self. This color does a fantastic job of hiding road dust and light grime, which is exactly why it was a staple for the GMC pickups that were built to actually do work.

Technical Details

The "Irid." in the name stands for iridescent, which is a vintage way of saying this is a metallic finish. It contains fine metallic flakes that catch the light to give the bronze its depth. These flakes are your best friend for a deep shine, but they are also your biggest challenge during a repair. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the flakes will sink and create dark patches, often called mottling. To keep the color consistent across the panel, you have to ensure those flakes land and dry in a uniform pattern.

Best Practices

You can usually find your paint information on the Service Parts Identification label located inside the glove box door or occasionally on the driver-side door jamb. Before you spray or dab GMC Medium Bronze Irid. (check for code 522 (1970)), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. This is non-negotiable for metallic paints because the heavy bronze flakes settle at the bottom of the container. Test the color on the included card to see how the metallic behaves. When you move to the truck, keep the container moving in steady, even passes to prevent the flakes from pooling. If you are using a pen or brush, use light dabs rather than long strokes to keep the shimmer looking natural. Always work in the shade to prevent the paint from drying too fast before the flakes have a chance to level out.