Mini Diamond Black Pearl (R32) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This is not your standard Midnight Black. It is a color with a premium heritage, often linked to the high-end palettes used by luxury brands, which makes your 2012-2013 Cooper feel like a bespoke build. In the shade, it looks like a deep, bottomless obsidian. However, once you pull the car out of the garage, the pearl flakes wake up and add a hidden dimension to the finish. Since your Mini has likely been on the road for over a decade, you are probably dealing with road rash and stone chips that stand out against such a rich, dark background.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, meaning the paint contains microscopic mica flakes that catch light from different angles. These particles are heavier than the pigment and love to sink to the bottom of the container. If you do not mix them thoroughly, your repair will look like a flat, dull black smudge instead of a shimmering match. You also have to be careful about mottling, where the flakes group together in dark patches. To prevent this, you must apply the paint in thin, even layers rather than one heavy coat.

Best Practices

You can usually find your paint information on a black sticker located on the driver side door jamb or tucked under the hood near the passenger side strut tower. Before you spray or dab Mini Diamond Black Pearl (check for code R32), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. Test the color on the included card to ensure the flake density matches your car. If you are using a can, keep the container moving at a steady spray distance to ensure the pearls lay down flat. Give the surface plenty of drying time between layers so the next pass does not disturb the flakes you just laid down.