Pontiac Red Tint Metallic Tri-coat (86/WA379E) Touch Up Paint

The Look

Your Bonneville likely commands attention in this shade, as it was a premium choice during the final stretch of the brand's history. It is a deep, sophisticated red that moves away from the bright, fire-engine tones of the nineties and toward something more elegant. Since your car has been on the road for nearly twenty years, the original finish has likely developed a unique character from the sun. This means your repair might look slightly fresher than the surrounding area, but the depth of this color is exactly what makes those sweeping body lines on the GXP trim look so sharp in the shade.

Technical Details

This is a tri-coat finish, which is essentially the triple-black diamond of the paint world. It relies on a three-step process: a solid base, a translucent metallic mid-coat, and a clear top layer. The "tint" in the name is a warning. Because the middle layer is see-through, the final color depends entirely on how many layers you apply. One extra pass with your Nozzle or Brush can make the spot look darker than the rest of the door. It is a high-reward finish that offers incredible depth, but it demands patience to get the shade just right.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Pontiac Red Tint Metallic Tri-coat (check for code 86/WA379E), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds to ensure the metallic flakes are evenly distributed. You can usually find your paint code on the service sticker located on the underside of the trunk lid or the spare tire cover. When you begin, test the color on the included card to see how the mid-coat changes the shade with each layer. Keep the container moving at a steady pace to avoid heavy spots. If you are working in your garage, ensure you have plenty of light to see the metallic "flip" as the paint dries, and always allow for plenty of drying time between your light coats.