Honda Blackburn Metallic (NH-80M) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is the definitive skin of the 1980s sport-compact era. When you see a first-generation CRX or a third-gen Civic hatch cutting through traffic, it is usually wearing this deep, mechanical charcoal. It is a sophisticated shade that gives those angular Japanese lines a sense of weight and purpose. Because your car has likely been on the road since the mid-eighties, the original finish has almost certainly shifted due to decades of sun exposure. You should expect your fresh repair to look slightly darker and deeper than the weathered panels surrounding it, as this color was born to be a moody, dark metallic rather than a flat black.

Technical Details

This is a true metallic finish, which means it is packed with tiny aluminum flakes that provide that signature 1980s shimmer. Metallics are less forgiving than solid colors because those flakes want to clump together. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the flakes will sink and create dark, muddy patches known as mottling. To keep the finish looking even and factory-correct, you must maintain a steady flow and keep the container moving at all times. This ensures the metallic particles lay down flat and catch the light uniformly across the repair area.

Best Practices

Before you apply Honda Blackburn Metallic (check for code NH-80M on the identification sticker located on your driver's door jamb), you must shake the container vigorously for at least two minutes. Those metallic flakes are heavy and settle at the bottom; if you do not mix them thoroughly, the color will come out looking like a flat grey. Work in a cool garage or in the shade to ensure the paint does not dry mid-air before reaching the panel. Always test the color on the included card to verify the flake density before you touch the car. Between each layer, give the container a few quick shakes to keep the mixture consistent and ensure the metallic effect remains even from start to finish.