Lincoln Dark Ink Blue Pearl (DI) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is a "blink and you'll miss it" blue that thrives on a little mystery. At night or under a heavy overcast sky, your MKX or MKZ likely looks like it is painted a standard, sophisticated black. But the moment the sun hits the panel, the pearl flakes wake up and reveal a deep, ink-like blue that gives the car real depth. Since your Lincoln has been out in the world for over fifteen years, the finish has likely developed a specific character that demands a careful eye during the repair.

Technical Details

Because this is a pearl finish, you are dealing with translucent flakes that reflect light at different angles. This makes it more complex than a solid color because you have to worry about the flakes bunching up, a problem known as mottling. If you apply the paint too heavily, those flakes will cluster and create dark, muddy patches instead of a crisp shimmer. It is a deep color, so any inconsistency in the flake distribution will show up as a smudge. You need to build the color with light layers to match the factory depth.

Best Practices

The paint code label is on the driver's side door jamb, usually listed right after the text for exterior paint. Before you spray or dab Lincoln Dark Ink Blue Pearl (check for code DI), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. Test the color on the included card to see how the metallic bits settle as they dry. Keep the container moving to ensure the finish remains uniform across the repair area. Give it plenty of drying time between each thin layer to avoid a heavy, uneven look.