Pontiac Gray Metallic (Bumper) (WA8945) Touch Up Paint

The Look

Since your Grand Prix or Bonneville has likely been on the road for nearly two decades, its lower trim has faced a constant barrage of road salt and gravel. This shade was the workhorse of the late nineties and early aughts, designed to give the aggressive Pontiac body style a grounded, two-tone contrast. It is a utility color that is meant to look rugged, but because it sits so low on the chassis, it is often the first area to show fading or deep chips. Restoring this trim brings back the factory-correct silhouette that made these models stand out in the garage.

Technical Details

This is a true metallic finish, which presents a specific challenge for the DIYer. The shimmer comes from tiny flakes that are heavier than the paint itself; if the container sits still for even a few minutes, those flakes will sink to the bottom. If you apply the paint without proper mixing, the result will look like a flat, muddy gray instead of a metallic. You also need to watch out for mottling, which is when the flakes bunch up and create dark, cloudy spots or stripes. This happens when the paint is applied too heavily in one area, so consistent movement is the only way to keep the finish even.

Best Practices

You will usually find your service sticker in the trunk under the spare tire cover or tucked inside the glove box. Before you apply Pontiac Gray Metallic (Bumper) (check that your sticker lists code WA8945), shake the container for a full sixty seconds to get the metallic flakes suspended. Test the color on the included card to make sure the flake density looks right before you touch the car. When you start, keep the container moving across the surface at a steady pace to avoid pooling. Work in thin layers and allow for plenty of drying time between each pass so the metallic particles can set exactly where they land.