Pantone™ PMS 8401 C

To maintain visual consistency with PMS 8401 C across different orders, always specify the same product type, sheen, and application method each time you purchase. Pantone metallic colors like PMS 8401 C are especially sensitive to changes in finish and substrate, so any change in these variables can result in visible color or effect differences. Use the same reference for approval and, when possible, submit a retained sample from your initial order for cross-checking. If your project has formal brand requirements, confirm acceptance criteria before switching materials or finishes.

PMS 8401 C is available matched in custom spray paint as well as other paint formats including paint pens and brush-in-cap bottles. The best format depends on your application needs: spray paint is suited for smooth, even coverage on panels or display components, while pens and brush-in-cap bottles work for small artwork, stenciling, or model work. Consider the project scale and surface for optimal choice. For marketing and brand display uses, custom spray paint is the most common for achieving the targeted PMS 8401 C metallic effect across larger areas.

PMS 8401 C, like other Pantone metallic colors, can appear different depending on the material due to variations in substrate texture, absorption, and reflectivity. A gloss metallic on smooth metal may look deeper or more reflective, while the same color can look flatter or less metallic on textured or porous plastic. Lighting angle further influences the metallic effect. Always test PMS 8401 C on the actual materials used in your project so you can check for any color or sheen differences before committing to full production.

Sampling PMS 8401 C is strongly recommended if your project involves a large area, high-visibility branding, or if color appearance must be reviewed under specific lighting conditions. Because metallics like PMS 8401 C react to finish, surface preparation, and environmental light, evaluating a sample ensures you achieve the intended effect and meet brand standards. This is especially important for permanent displays, marketing activations, or cases where approval is required by brand or stakeholders.

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 8401 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 8401 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.