Lincoln Dark Shadow Gray Metallic (cladding) (M7039) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color was the quiet foundation for the Lincoln luxury redesign in the early 2010s. It provides the visual weight for the lower trim of the MKS and MKZ, keeping those sedans looking grounded and wide. Since your car has been on the road for over a decade, this gray has likely taken the brunt of road debris and salt, which is why you are likely reaching for a repair tool now. It is a heavy, industrial gray that hides road grime well but reveals its depth once you get the surface clean.

Technical Details

This is a metallic finish, which means it contains tiny flakes designed to catch the light. Metallics can be moody if handled poorly. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the flakes will not settle evenly, and you will end up with dark blotches or a finish that looks dirty even when it is dry. Because the cladding is often located lower on the car and may have a different texture than the main body panels, getting the flakes to lay flat is the only way to make the repair disappear.

Best Practices

Before you apply Lincoln Dark Shadow Gray Metallic (cladding) (code M7039), you need to shake the container for at least two minutes to wake up those settled metallic flakes. You can find your specific code on the driver side door jamb sticker next to the "EXT PNT" label. Always test the color on the included card first to see how the metallic settles. When you move to the car in your garage or a patch of shade, keep the container moving to maintain an even flow. Give the paint plenty of drying time between light layers rather than trying to cover the damage in one heavy pass.