Ford Race Red Paint Code (PQ): Full Cross-Reference & Year Guide 2026
Ford’s Race Red paint code is PQ. It’s one of the longest-running colors in Ford’s lineup, factory-available on everything from the Mustang to the F-150 to fleet Police Interceptors since 2011. If you’re ordering touch-up paint, matching a repair, or specifying a wrap, PQ is the only number that matters, everything else is a translation of it into another paint brand’s system.
This guide covers exactly where to find that code on your Ford, what it cross-references to across every major paint manufacturer, which years and models came in Race Red, and how to avoid confusing it with Ford’s other reds.
How to Find the Race Red Paint Code on Your Ford’s Door Jamb
Every Ford built since the early 1980s carries its paint code on the same label, regardless of whether it’s an F-150, a Mustang, or a Bronco.
- Open the driver’s door and look at the certification/compliance sticker on the door jamb or door post. It’s usually white or silver.
- Find the field labeled “EXT PNT” (Exterior Paint). This is typically located near the VIN, tire pressure specs, and axle/trim codes.
- Read the two-character code listed next to EXT PNT. For Race Red, that code is PQ.
- On older or pre-1980s Fords, the code may instead appear on a body data plate rather than a door jamb sticker. Our full Ford Paint Code List covers those older label formats if your truck predates the modern system.
Once you’ve confirmed PQ on your label, here’s exactly what that code maps to across the paint industry.
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Ford Race Red (PQ) Cross-Reference Codes by Paint Brand
Race Red carries one Ford code but several industry cross-reference numbers, and mixing them up is one of the most common causes of a bad match at an independent body shop or with aftermarket paint.
| Paint System | Code |
|---|---|
| Ford Paint Code | PQ |
| Ford Manufacturer Code | M7236 |
| PPG / Ditzler | 926415 |
| Sherwin-Williams | 4839037 |
| RM / BASF | 858607 |
| Autocolor ICI Nexa | 35NV, 35NVB |
| Finish Type | Solid, non-metallic, single-stage |
Race Red is a solid, non-metallic, single-stage finish, which is worth noting before you order paint. Unlike Ford’s metallic reds, it doesn’t require flake-matching, but single-stage colors still need a 2K clearcoat over the basecoat for factory-level gloss and UV protection.
That finish type also explains why Race Red behaves differently in the booth than Ford’s metallic reds, which matters once you’re deciding how to repair it.
Ford Race Red by Year: Models and Production Span (2011–2026)
Race Red isn’t a Mustang-only color. Ford has run it across more than 20 nameplates since roughly 2011, and it remains in active production as of the 2026 model year.
Trucks and SUVs:
- F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 (and Super Duty commercial chassis F-600 through F-750)
- Bronco
- Ranger
- Expedition
Cars:
- Mustang, where PQ is one of the most recognized performance-color codes
- Fiesta, Focus (discontinued nameplates, earlier production years)
- Ford GT
Commercial and Fleet:
- Econoline, E-Transit
- EcoSport
- Ford Special Order / Fleet vehicles, including Police Interceptor and Responder package units, where Race Red is a common Special Service Vehicle (SSV) color
With that range in mind, here’s how Race Red compares to the other Ford reds owners regularly confuse it with.
Race Red vs. Torch Red, Rapid Red, and Ruby Red Metallic: How to Tell Them Apart
The fastest way to buy the wrong touch-up paint is trusting the color name instead of the code. “Red” covers several genuinely different Ford factory colors, plus at least one name that isn’t a Ford color at all.
| Color | Ford Code | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Race Red | PQ | Solid, non-metallic |
| Rapid Red | D4 | Metallic |
| Ruby Red Metallic | RR | Metallic, tinted clearcoat |
| “Torch Red” | Not a Ford factory name | GM/Chevrolet Corvette color (code GKZ/WA9075) |
Torch Red is worth calling out specifically: it’s a Chevrolet Corvette color, not an official Ford name. A handful of aftermarket sellers have used “Torch Red” informally to describe a Ford Mustang red from the 2002-2010 era, but Ford’s own factory documentation doesn’t use that name, so treat any listing using it as a red flag to verify the actual paint code before ordering.
For a true metallic alternative in Ford’s catalog, see our Ford Ruby Red Metallic Code Chart, which is the color most often mistaken for Race Red in photos.
Once you know which red you actually have, here’s what to expect when you go to repair or repaint it.
What to Know Before Repainting Ford Race Red
Because Race Red is a solid finish, matching it is more forgiving than a metallic color, but it comes with its own failure points.
- No flake-matching needed, since there’s no metallic content, but the pigment is heavy and settles quickly in the can. Shake or stir thoroughly before every application, not just once.
- Clearcoat is still required. “Solid” doesn’t mean single-layer durability, it needs a 2K clearcoat to match factory gloss and hold up to UV exposure.
- Sun fading is more visible on solid reds than on metallics, so panel blending into adjacent sections is usually recommended on any repair more than a couple of years old.
- Typical DIY cost: paint pens and touch-up bottles for Ford colors generally run $13 to $35, while spray can kits with basecoat, clearcoat, and primer run $40 to $70, based on current listings from PaintScratch, Amazon, and eBay for Ford-specific color-matched products [confirmed via multiple retailer listings, August 2026]. Full quart or gallon sizes for panel-level work cost more and are typically sold through specialty suppliers like Tamco or RockAuto.
With the technical side covered, here’s a quick summary and where to go next.
Confirming Your Race Red Ford Is a Two-Minute Job
Race Red is Ford’s code PQ, found on your driver-side door jamb next to “EXT PNT,” and it cross-references to PPG 926415, Sherwin-Williams 4839037, RM/BASF 858607, and Autocolor ICI Nexa 35NV/35NVB depending on which paint brand your shop or supplier uses.
It’s also one of Ford’s most widely applied colors, spanning trucks, SUVs, cars, and fleet vehicles for over a decade. Check your door jamb label first, then cross-reference before you order paint, and you’ll avoid the single most common mismatch mistake owners make with this color.
FAQ
What is the Ford paint code for Race Red?
Race Red’s Ford paint code is PQ, with manufacturer code M7236. You’ll find it on the driver-side door jamb label next to “EXT PNT.”
Is Race Red the same as Torch Red?
No. Torch Red is a Chevrolet Corvette color (GM code GKZ/WA9075), not an official Ford factory name. Some aftermarket listings use “Torch Red” loosely for a similar Mustang shade, but always verify the actual door jamb code before ordering paint.
What years did Ford offer Race Red?
Race Red has been in production since approximately 2011 and remains active through the current 2026 model year, making it one of Ford’s longest-running solid colors.
Is Race Red a metallic or solid color?
Race Red is a solid, non-metallic, single-stage finish. It still requires a 2K clearcoat for factory-correct gloss and protection.
Where is the paint code located on a Ford F-150?
On the driver-side door jamb certification label, in the field marked “EXT PNT.” For a full breakdown of every Ford color and code by year, see our complete Ford Paint Code List & Color Chart.
