The Complete Guide to Ford Race Red Paint: Codes, Application, and Where to Buy

Few colors capture the spirit of American performance quite like Ford Race Red paint. This bold, vibrant red has adorned everything from Ford Mustang GT500s and F-150 Raptors to Focus STs and Ford GT supercars. It is a color that demands attention on both road and track. Whether you are repairing a scratch, restoring a classic, or painting a race car dash (as covered in our previous guide), understanding Ford Race Red paint is essential. This comprehensive guide covers the official ford race red paint code, how to use ford race red spray paint, finding ford race red touch up paint for different applications, and where to buy it—including paint halfords, paint gallon quantities, paint pen applicators, and even paint code uk availability.

What Is Ford Race Red Paint?

Ford Race Red (sometimes simply called “Race Red”) is a high-visibility, non-metallic, solid red color that Ford introduced in the mid-2000s. Unlike deeper reds like Candy Apple Red or metallic reds like Ruby Red, Race Red is a bright, true red with no orange or blue undertones. It is often compared to Ferrari Rosso Corsa in intensity but with slightly more depth. The color has become a cult favorite among Ford enthusiasts because it photographs brilliantly, hides minor surface imperfections well, and maintains its vibrancy even after years of sun exposure when properly maintained.

Common applications of Ford Race Red paint include:

• Full vehicle resprays and restoration projects
• Touch-ups for stone chips, door dings, and key scratches
• Painting aftermarket body parts (bumpers, spoilers, side skirts)
• Custom race car interiors (roll cages, dash panels, gauge pods)
• Engine bay accents and caliper painting
• Motorsport graphics and racing stripes

Mustang street racing

The Official Ford Race Red Paint Code

If you are searching for the exact color formulation, you need the correct ford race red paint code. Ford has used several reds over the years, so confirming the code is critical. The official Ford Race Red paint code is:

Ford Code: PQ

Also known as:

• Ford #: M7236
• Ditzler/PPG: 933149
• DuPont/Chromax: 3564A
• Sherman-Williams: 74242
• RM BASF: 98712

When ordering ford race red paint code PQ, always confirm with your supplier that the formula matches your model year. Race Red has been in production from approximately 2006 to present, but minor pigment variations exist between manufacturers.

Additional Ford Red Paint Codes You Should Know

While Ford Race Red (code PQ) is the focus of this guide, Ford has produced several other iconic red shades over the years. If you are researching ford ruby red paint code, ford ruby red metallic paint, ford toreador red metallic, or ford vermillion red paint, here is how they compare to Race Red:

Important for touch-up and repair:

• Do not assume ford ruby red paint code RR will match a Race Red vehicle—it is significantly darker.
• Ford ruby red metallic paint requires a different application technique (multiple light coats to align metallic flakes).
• Ford toreador red metallic is discontinued but still available via custom mix using paint code T8.
• Ford vermillion red paint is sought after by classic restorers; modern formulations use code VN but may require a spectrophotometer for exact match to original 1960s batches.

If you need any of these colors, use the same sourcing methods described in this article: check paint halfords, search paint code uk with the codes above, or look for paint near me using a specialty automotive paint supplier.

Ford Race Red Spray Paint: Best Uses and Techniques

For larger repairs or custom projects, ford race red spray paint is the most convenient format. Prevalent in aerosol cans, spray paint allows even coverage over bumpers, hoods, side mirrors, or entire panels. Here is what to know before you buy ford race red spray paint.

When to Use Spray Paint

• Painting a full bumper cover or fender
• Refinishing aftermarket fiberglass or carbon fiber parts
• Creating racing stripes or two-tone schemes
• Painting plastic trim pieces (properly primed)

How to Apply Ford Race Red Spray Paint

1. Surface preparation – Sand the area with 400-600 grit sandpaper, clean with grease and wax remover.
2. Primer – Apply 2-3 light coats of high-build automotive primer (gray for dark reds, white for brighter reds).
3. Basecoat – Shake the ford race red spray paint can for 2 minutes. Apply 3-4 light wet coats, allowing 10 minutes between each.
4. Clear coat – Always finish with 2-3 coats of automotive clear coat for UV protection and gloss.
5. Curing – Allow 24-48 hours before wet sanding and polishing.

Tip: Buy an extra can of ford race red spray paint for practice. Spraying from an aerosol differs significantly from a paint gun.

Ford Race Red Touch Up Paint: Application Types

For smaller blemishes like stone chips, key marks, or minor scratches, ford race red touch up paint is the right solution. Depending on the damage size and your comfort level, you have several application formats:

1. Ford Race Red Paint Pen (Precision Applicator)

A paint pen is the best choice for fine scratches, pinhead-sized chips, and linear damage along body lines. Paint pens have a felt-tip applicator similar to a marker pen and a built-in clear coat or primer in some models.

How to use a ford race red paint pen:

• Shake vigorously for 60-90 seconds
• Press the tip on scrap paper until paint flows
• Apply thin, even strokes into the scratch
• Do not overfill; multiple light layers are better than one heavy blob
• Wait 30 minutes between coats

Where to buy paint pen for Ford Race Red: Amazon, eBay, Halfords (UK), and dedicated auto paint stores. A quality paint pen typically costs $15-$25 USD (£12-£20 UK).

2. Ford Race Red Touch Up Paint (Bottle with Brush)

Bottle-style ford race red touch up paint includes a small brush attached to the cap. This works best for medium chips (2-5mm diameter) and exposed primer where a pen tip cannot reach.

Application tip: Do not brush directly from the bottle. Instead, decant a few drops onto a piece of cardboard and use a toothpick or fine artist brush to dab the paint into the chip drop by drop. This prevents lifting edges and creates a smooth fill.

3. Ford Race Red Spray Touch Up (Aerosol)

Even for touch-ups, some users prefer ford race red spray paint in aerosol form. Mask off a large area around the damage and use very light mist coats from 12 inches away. This works well for rocker panels, lower door edges, or areas with textured plastic.

Ford Race Red Paint Gallon: For Full Projects

If you are repainting an entire vehicle, ordering a paint gallon of Ford Race Red is the most economical choice. A paint gallon (3.78 liters) typically covers a full sedan or small truck with 2-3 coats of basecoat, including extra for blending.

What to expect when buying ford race red paint by the gallon:

• Single-stage urethane ($150-$250 per gallon) – Paint and clear in one mixture; suitable for race cars or budget builds.
• Basecoat only ($200-$350 per gallon) – Requires separate clear coat. Professional results with deeper gloss.
• Primer and reducer – Sold separately. You will need activator/hardener and reducer matching your paint brand.

Pro tip: Even if you buy a paint gallon, always purchase an extra half-pint for test panels and future touch-ups. Color matching can drift between batches.

Ford Race Red Paint Halfords: UK Availability

For our United Kingdom readers, the search for paint halfords Ford Race Red is straightforward. Halfords, the UK’s largest automotive parts and accessories retailer, carries Ford Race Red in multiple formats:

• Halfords Ford Race Red touch up paint pen (approx £10.99)
• Halfords Ford Race Red spray paint 300ml (approx £14.99)
• Halfords Ford Race Red primer and clear coat bundles (available online)

To find paint halfords in your local area, visit the Halfords website and use the “click and collect” tool. Enter “Race Red” or paint code PQ. Halfords also mixes custom aerosols in-store if they do not have Race Red in stock. Search paint halfords online or visit your local branch.

Finding Ford Race Red Paint Near Me

Whether you need a paint pen, ford race red spray paint, or a full paint gallon, locating paint near me is a common search. Here is how to find Ford Race Red paint locally:

National Chains (USA)

• AutoZone – Carries Dupli-Color Perfect Match in Ford Race Red (code PX? Verify label).
• O’Reilly Auto Parts – Offers custom-mixed aerosols and touch-up bottles.
• Advance Auto Parts – Stock TouchUpDirect and OEM-branded Race Red pens.
• NAPA Auto Parts – Full pint, quart, and gallon options via in-store special order.

National Chains (UK)

• Halfords – As detailed above, the primary source for paint halfords Race Red.
• Euro Car Parts – Limited touch-up selection but can order larger volumes.
• Autopaints Brighton – Specializes in paint code uk and custom mixing.

Specialty Auto Paint Suppliers

Search “automotive paint supply near me” on Google Maps. These shops mix ford race red paint code PQ on demand in any quantity—from a 2-ounce touch-up bottle to a 5-gallon drum. They also sell professional spray guns, sandpaper, masking tape, and clear coat.

Pro tip: Call ahead with your ford race red paint code (PQ). Ask if they use a spectrophotometer to verify the formula. Paint fades over time, so a fresh mix might not match your sun-aged car perfectly. A good shop will tint the basecoat to match your specific vehicle.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the correct ford race red touch up paint or spray paint, improper application ruins results. Avoid these errors:

1. Skipping primer on bare plastic or metal – Race Red is semi-transparent. Without primer, the color will appear dull or dark.
2. Applying too thick too fast – Ford Race Red paint runs easily. Multiple thin coats are always better.
3. Ignoring clear coat on spray paint – Race Red fades to pink within months if left unprotected. Always clear coat.
4. Not blending into adjacent panels – A touch-up on a door looks obvious if the adjacent fender and quarter panel are dusty. Clean and consider light blending.
5. Using the wrong activator with gallon paint – Single-stage urethane requires an isocyanate hardener. Use proper respiratory protection (NIOSH-rated mask with organic vapor cartridges).

Maintenance Tips for Ford Race Red Paint

Once you have applied ford race red spray paint or performed a touch-up, protect your investment:

• Wash with pH-neutral car shampoo – Harsh detergents strip wax and accelerate fading.
• Apply ceramic coating or quality wax every 3-6 months – Red pigments are vulnerable to UV damage.
• Park in shade or use a car cover – Direct sunlight turns Race Red flat and chalky over years.
• Avoid automatic car washes with abrasive brushes – They leave swirl marks visible on bright red surfaces.

Last Statement

Ford Race Red is more than a color—it is a statement. Whether you are repairing a stone chip with a paint pen, refinishing a bumper with ford race red spray paint, buying a paint gallon for a full restoration, or searching paint halfords and paint near me for UK availability, having the correct ford race red paint code PQ is your starting point. Match the application to your project size: pen for fine scratches, spray for panels, gallon for full vehicles. With proper preparation and patience, you can achieve professional-grade results that do justice to this iconic Ford hue.