Pantone™ PMS 185 C

For prototypes and concept models requiring close brand alignment with Pantone PMS 185 C, select a paint format that best matches your application process, such as spray paint for even coverage or paint pens for detail work. Since PMS 185 C is highly saturated and sensitive to lighting, always evaluate your model under the lighting and finish conditions expected for the final product. Test the color on your actual substrate to confirm that the appearance aligns with brand standards before scaling up production. If formal approval is needed, consider ordering a small sample first.

Pantone PMS 185 C is a bold, saturated red, which generally offers lower hide than less chromatic colors. To achieve uniform coverage, plan for additional coats, especially when applying over light or high-contrast surfaces. Using a white or light gray undercoat can help improve the final appearance and may reduce the total number of coats needed for full coverage. If painting over dark or uneven surfaces, an appropriate primer is recommended to optimize color consistency and impact.

The finish you choose for Pantone PMS 185 C will affect its visual impact. Gloss finishes will amplify the boldness and saturation of this red, making the color appear more vivid and striking, which is often preferred for brand displays viewed at a distance or under strong lighting. However, gloss can create glare, which may be distracting in some locations. Matte finishes reduce glare and offer a more subdued look but can make the color appear less intense. Consider lighting conditions, viewing distance, and the need for brand visibility when selecting the best finish for your project.

Pantone PMS 185 C is frequently specified for environments where immediate recognition and high visual impact are operational priorities. Typical uses include event and exhibit branding, signage for technology and communications firms, and marketing activations demanding strong brand recall. Its vivid red appearance makes it a go-to choice when rapid, brand-consistent identification is critical.

Unfortunately, no.

Some manufacturers specify Pantone colors as touch up for their products, but Pantone does not work well as a proxy for a touch-up solution (for a litany of reasons such as it doesn't include sheen and Pantone color tolerances are not tight enough for touch up). When we match Pantone colors we are matching to a swatch in a Pantone book - not to your product.

The only way we can provide a touch-up solution for your product is for you send us a part. We would use the part to create a touch-up grade match. Unfortunately, there isn't an effective way to 'spec' the color well enough to produce a touch up without the part.

Read more about using Pantone for touch-up.

Learn more about our paint color matching service.

To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 185 C. MyPerfectColor uses an acrylic enamel which is a fast-drying durable coating suitable for interior or exterior use. MyPerfectColor custom spray paint enables you to conveniently achieve a professional spray-smooth finish in any color in any sheen. It sticks well to most surfaces including metal, plastics, powder-coatings, cabinets and primed or previously painted wood.

The 11oz spray will cover about 20 square feet per coat. Keep in mind that it is difficult to gauge how much spray you'll need as it is highly dependent on how it is applied. It is better to have too much than run short.

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 185 C in paint, we don't provide any crossover information. We've found that every paint company offers its own unique selection of colors and rarely does a color have an exact equivalent in another company's color collection, especially for a color collection like Pantone which is designed for bright colors and inks.