Merkur XR4Ti Touch Up Paint (12 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Back in the mid-80s, Merkur was Ford's attempt to bring a bit of German sophistication to the States, and they didn't hold back on the palette. We've recorded 12 distinct colors for the XR4Ti, ranging from the deep, sophisticated Paris Blue Metallic to the quintessential 80s Rosso Red. Whether your car is dressed in the moody Nimbus Gray Metallic or the crisp Diamond White, these colors were designed to highlight those wild "bi-plane" lines. They really went for it with the metallics, giving this turbo-coupe a shimmering look that still turns heads at the gas station.

What to Watch For

Since these cars were largely hand-built by Karmann in Germany, the paint was applied with care, but time (and the sun) can be a bit of a bully. If you're hunting for your paint code, don't go looking for a modern sticker in the glovebox; check the metal "Manufacturer's Plate" riveted to the radiator support under the hood. You'll usually find the code in a small box near the bottom.

Keep a close eye on the top of that iconic bi-plane spoiler and the hood. Because of the car's unique aerodynamics, those horizontal surfaces soak up a lot of UV rays, leading to some thinning or "clouding" over time. Also, keep an eye on the lower body cladding-the plastic trim often ages at a different speed than the metal panels, meaning your Strato Silver Metallic might look a hair different on the doors than it does on the bumpers.

Driveway Repair Tip

When you're standing in the driveway with your touch-up bottle, remember that many of these Merkur shades-especially Paris Blue and Crystal Blue Metallic-are packed with tiny metallic flakes. These flakes like to settle at the bottom of the bottle like tired anchors. Give that bottle a solid two-minute shake before you start; you want those sparkles suspended in the paint, not stuck at the bottom.

If you're touching up a stone chip, resist the urge to fill the whole hole in one "glob." Use the tip of your brush to drop in a tiny amount, let it dry for twenty minutes, and then come back for a second layer. These 80s finishes require patience, but building it up slowly ensures the color matches the surrounding area instead of looking like a raised freckle on your car's nose.