Lexus Attitude Black Pearl (218) Touch Up Paint

The Look

If you own a Lexus from the late 2010s, you probably know that your car rarely looks like a simple flat black. On models like the ES 350 or the GS 450h, this color was designed to look deep and expensive. It is a sophisticated choice that shifts its personality depending on the light. In the shade or under streetlights, it looks like a deep midnight, but once the sun hits the panels of your ES 300h or GS 350, you will see a distinct shimmer. Because these cars have been on the road for several years now, those unavoidable highway rock chips tend to stand out against such a dark, complex background.

Technical Details

This is a true Pearl finish, which is much more complex than a standard solid black. It contains microscopic flakes that catch the light to create depth. The challenge with any pearl is that the final appearance depends entirely on how those flakes lay down. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the flakes will cluster together and make the repair look darker or cloudier than the rest of the door. This is why keeping a consistent rhythm is so important. You are not just applying color; you are arranging a layer of tiny crystals.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Lexus Attitude Black Pearl (check for code 218), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. You can find that code on the driver's side door jamb sticker, usually right next to the C/TR heading. Those pearl pigments like to settle at the bottom of the container, and if they aren't fully mixed, your repair will look like a plain, flat black. Always test the color on the included card first to ensure the flake density matches your car. When you move to the actual repair in your garage or a patch of shade, keep the container moving at all times. Use thin, light layers rather than one heavy coat, and allow plenty of drying time between each pass to prevent the paint from sagging or trapping the flakes in a messy clump.