Mazda Protege Touch Up Paint (49 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Mazda clearly wasn't interested in playing it safe with the Protege. They recorded a staggering 49 colors for this lineup, ranging from the dignified Twilight Blue Pearl and Champagne Silver to the "look at me" brilliance of Sunburst Yellow and Spicy Orange Pearl Metallic. Whether you're driving a sensible commuter or a Spicy Orange pocket rocket, they really went for it. With so many pearl and metallic options, your car was designed to catch the sun-but after a few years on the road, it might be catching a few too many rock chips instead.

What to Watch For

Before you start, you'll need your "secret recipe" code. You can usually find it on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb or stamped onto a metal plate on the firewall (the back wall of the engine bay). Once you have your paint in hand, keep an eye out for the common Protege "wear zones." The paint on these cars is famously a bit soft, which means it handles rock chips on the hood with a sensitive soul. You might also notice the paint starting to bubble or peel around the door handles, side mirrors, and rear spoiler-these plastic parts often lose their shine before the rest of the car. Don't worry, though; catching these spots early with a touch-up pen is exactly why we're here.

Driveway Repair Tip

Since Mazda leaned heavily into pearls and micas for the Protege (looking at you, Starry Blue Mica), your touch-up bottle is holding a lot of tiny metallic flakes that love to settle at the bottom. Shake that bottle for a full two minutes-longer than you think you need to-to wake up those sparkles. When applying, avoid the temptation to fill a chip with one big glob. Instead, dab a tiny, thin layer into the center of the chip and let it dry. If the paint still looks "low," come back in 20 minutes and add another thin layer. This car's factory paint is naturally thin, so building up your repair in layers requires patience, but it will result in a much smoother, flatter fix that stays put.