Ford J7 Paint Code: Magnetic Color Name And Years

Ford J7 Paint Code: Magnetic Color Name And Years 2015-2026

Ford paint code J7 identifies Magnetic, a gray metallic factory finish sold on trucks and SUVs as Magnetic Metallic and, in some listings, Magnetic Gray. This guide covers where to find the code, which Ford models and years used it, and how to order matching touch-up paint.

2018 Ford F-150 in Magnetic Metallic J7 paint code color
2018 Ford F-150 in Magnetic Metallic J7 paint code color.

What Color Is Ford Paint Code J7

Paint code J7 is Ford’s factory designation for Magnetic, a gray metallic finish with a true metallic flake structure built from fine aluminum and mica particles. Ford markets the same paint as “Magnetic Metallic” on most trucks and SUVs and occasionally lists it as “Magnetic Gray” on car-line vehicles, though the underlying formula is identical.

Quick reference:

  • Paint code: J7
  • Color name: Magnetic (Magnetic Metallic / Magnetic Gray)
  • Manufacturing code: M7325 / M7325A
  • Cross-reference codes: FM6E and FM6EWHA (used in Ford’s parts lookup system), PN4DQ (European market equivalent)
  • Color family: Gray metallic
  • Finish type: Two-stage basecoat/clearcoat metallic

Because Ford reuses color names across different eras and formulas, always order paint by the J7 code rather than the “Magnetic” name alone. That’s true for Ford’s full paint code list and color chart as well, which covers every factory color back to 1964.

Which Ford Model Years Used Paint Code J7

Structured paint-code databases put J7 in production starting around 2014–2015 and running through at least 2020–2021 on Ford’s truck and SUV lineup, with some databases extending the range to 2022 or 2024 depending on when the model-by-model records were last updated.

That range inconsistency is worth flagging directly: it most likely comes from different aftermarket color databases capturing the color at different snapshot times, not from an actual mid-cycle Ford production change.

The most granular, model-by-model data (cross-checked against Ford’s own parts catalog) points to J7 being current on most FordMasterX-relevant trucks and SUVs from roughly 2015 through 2020–2021, tapering off on some models afterward.

The only fully reliable source for your specific vehicle is the paint code sticker on the door jamb. A generalized year range is a starting point, not a substitute for checking your own build. If you want to confirm your exact build data beyond the paint code, decoding your Ford’s VIN will pull the full factory spec for your specific truck.

Ford Models And Trucks That Came In Magnetic (J7)

J7 was one of Ford’s most widely used gray metallics during its production run, appearing across nearly the entire lineup. For FordMasterX readers, here’s the confirmed year coverage on Ford trucks and SUVs:

ModelConfirmed J7 Years
F-1502015–2020
F-250 / F-350 Super Duty2015–2020
Explorer2015–2020
Expedition2015–2021
Edge2015–2020
Escape2015–2020
Ranger2019–2020
Mustang2015–2020

J7 also appeared on non-truck, non-SUV Ford models, including the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Transit, and C-Max, but those fall outside FordMasterX’s Ford truck and SUV focus, so we’re not covering them in depth here.

If your truck falls in one of these year ranges, there’s a good chance J7 is your factory color, but confirm it on your own vehicle before ordering paint, since trim and special-edition packages can override the standard color offering for a given model year.

How To Find The J7 Paint Code On Your Ford

Ford door jamb label showing EXT PNT paint code location
Ford door jamb label showing EXT PNT paint code location.

Your Ford’s factory paint code is printed on a safety certification label, not stamped anywhere visible on the body panels. Here’s how to locate it:

  1. Open the driver’s side door. Look at the door jamb, the door edge itself, or the B-pillar (the vertical post the door latches against). Ford places the certification label in one of these three spots depending on the model.
  2. Find the “EXT PNT” line. This stands for Exterior Paint. Your two-character paint code, J7 in this case, is printed directly next to or below that label.
  3. Don’t confuse it with the wheelbase code. A “WB” code often sits close to the paint code line on the same label. That’s your wheelbase designation, not your color.
  4. Check the rear door edge as a backup. On some Rangers and F-Series trucks, the sticker is affixed to the rear edge of the driver’s door rather than the pillar itself.

If the label is damaged, faded, or missing (common on trucks with prior repairs or older builds), your Ford dealer can pull the paint code from your VIN using Ford’s internal parts system, or you can request a copy through Ford Customer Service.

For readers who also want to identify another common color, the same door jamb process applies to locating other Ford paint codes like Oxford White: the label location doesn’t change based on which color your truck came in.

Best Touch-Up Paint Options For Ford Magnetic (J7)

Once you’ve confirmed J7 on your door jamb, the right product depends on the size of the repair. J7’s metallic flake structure is prone to mottling (dark, blotchy patches) if applied too heavily in one pass, so thin, controlled coats matter more with this color than with a solid (non-metallic) finish.

For small chips and scratches (touch-up pen): Eastwood OEM Select Touch Up Paint Pen, Ford J7 Magnetic Metallic, Color and Clear Kit: a dual-tip pen with a chisel tip for fine lines and a bullet tip for stone chips, sold with a matching clear coat pen for a finished repair.

For panel-size repairs (spray can): Dupli-Color Perfect Match Premium Automotive Paint, Magnetic Gray, 8 oz spray: color-matched directly to the J7 code with a 360° fan spray nozzle, dry-to-touch in about 30 minutes.

For larger repairs needing prep and clear coat (full kit): TouchUpDirect J7 Magnetic Metallic Combo, Platinum Kit: includes primer, colorcoat, clearcoat, applicators, sandpaper, and polishing compound for repairs covering roughly 10 square inches or more.

Whichever option you choose, apply 2-3 thin coats rather than one heavy coat, and let each layer sit for the manufacturer’s recommended time before adding the next. This is what prevents the flake mottling that metallic colors like J7 are prone to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ford J7 the same as Magnetic Gray?

Yes. J7 is marketed as “Magnetic Metallic” on most trucks and SUVs and “Magnetic Gray” on some car-line listings, but both names refer to the same factory paint code and formula.

What years did the F-150 offer Magnetic (J7)?

F-150s built between 2015 and 2020 are confirmed to have offered J7 as a factory color. Always verify against your own door jamb label, since trim-level availability can vary within that range.

Can I use J7 touch-up paint on any Ford model?

Yes, as long as your vehicle’s paint code sticker confirms J7. The paint formula is identical across every Ford and Lincoln model that used it, regardless of which vehicle line you drive.

Where exactly is the paint code label located?

On the driver’s side door jamb, door edge, or B-pillar, next to the “EXT PNT” heading. Some Rangers and F-Series trucks have it on the rear edge of the driver’s door instead.

What is the difference between J7 and M7325?

J7 is the short paint code used for ordering and door jamb identification. M7325 (or M7325A) is the longer manufacturing/mix code that paint suppliers use internally. Both refer to the same Magnetic color.

Author

  • David Jon Author

    I'm a long-time Ford and automotive enthusiast, and I've been writing about cars. I started Fordmasterx as an effort to combine my two passions – writing and car ownership – into one website.

    I hope that you find everything you need on our website and that we can help guide you through all your automotive needs.

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