Ford Contour Touch Up Paint (32 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Ford really went for it with the Contour, offering a staggering 32 colors throughout its run. They gave us everything from the "I'm a very serious middle-manager" Silver Frost Metallic to the high-visibility Chrome Yellow that you could probably see from space. Whether your car is wearing the deep, regal Toreador Red Pearl Metallic or the earthy Amazon Green Metallic, the Contour was Ford's way of proving that a mid-sized sedan didn't have to be boring.

What to Watch For

Since most of these cars were born in the late 90s, they've lived through a lot of history-and a lot of sunshine. You'll likely notice some clear coat "lifting" or peeling on the flat surfaces like the roof and hood. If you have a Black Ebony model, keep an eye out for "spider cracking" under the surface; it's a common quirk of the era. To make sure you've got the right match, head to the driver's side door jamb and look at the VIN sticker. You're looking for the code next to "EXT PNT"-it's usually just two characters. If your 25-year-old Pacific Green looks a shade lighter than the bottle, don't worry; it doesn't mean the paint is wrong, it just means the original finish requires patience and a gentle touch to match the years of "character" the car has earned.

Driveway Repair Tip

Many of the Contour's best shades, like Cabernet Red Pearl, are packed with metallic flakes and pearls that love to settle at the bottom of the bottle. Before you even open your touch-up pen or brush, shake it for a full two minutes-long after you think you're done. This wakes up those sparkles so they actually end up on your car instead of staying in the tube. When you're ready to apply, think "dot, don't stroke." Use the tip of the applicator to fill the chip with a thin layer, let it dry for 20 minutes, and add a second layer if it's still sitting low. It's much easier to build up a small valley than it is to fix a big, accidental mountain.