GMC Orange Metallic (95 (1981)) Touch Up Paint

The Look

You are looking at a true one-year wonder. This specific shade was a centerpiece for the 1981 redesign of the C10-C30 Series and the G10-G30-P Series, marking the year GMC moved toward a more aerodynamic front end and those classic square headlights. While many people mistake this for a flat copper, it is far more sophisticated. Since your truck or van has likely been on the road since the early eighties, the original finish has probably developed a deep character that a simple flat orange cannot replicate. It captures the transition from the loud seventies into the more refined metallic era of the eighties.

Technical Details

This is a true metallic finish, which means it relies on tiny aluminum flakes to catch the light. Metallics are notorious for a phenomenon called mottling, where the flakes cluster together and create dark, tiger-stripe patterns across the panel. This happens if the paint is applied too heavily in one spot or if the temperature in your garage is too humid. Because the flakes in GMC Orange Metallic (check for code 95 (1981)) are heavy, they want to sink to the bottom of the reservoir. If you do not keep the mixture consistent, the color will look different at the start of your repair than it does at the end.

Best Practices

First, verify your color match by looking in the glovebox for the Service Parts Identification silver sticker; it is the most reliable way to ensure you have the right match. Before you apply any paint, you must shake the container for at least sixty seconds to wake up those settled metallic flakes. Test the color on the included card to see how the light hits the metallic particles before you touch your vehicle. When you begin, keep the container moving in steady, even passes. Maintaining a consistent spray distance or brush stroke is the only way to prevent the flakes from bunching up. Give the paint plenty of drying time between layers to ensure the metallic structure sets firmly without sagging.