Pantone™ PMS 185 U

PMS 185 U is a Pantone color target, not a finish specification. When the same PMS 185 U match is produced in different sheens, such as matte versus gloss, the perceived color can change.

Higher gloss finishes tend to appear brighter and more saturated, while lower sheen finishes can look slightly flatter or darker. This is a perception effect, not a change to the underlying color target. When evaluating PMS 185 U, always compare samples with the same finish you plan to use in the final application.

PMS 185 U is available as custom spray paint and other paint formats for branding and display applications. Common options include spray paint for panels and components, paint pens for controlled marking, and brush-in-cap bottles for small parts or detailed work.

Choose the format based on how the color will be applied, the size of the area, and the level of control needed. The Pantone code defines the color target, while the product format determines application method and appearance.

PMS 185 U can look different under various light sources even when the color match is accurate. Daylight, LED, fluorescent, and warm indoor lighting can each shift how red tones are perceived.

For brand-critical work, evaluate PMS 185 U samples under the same lighting where the finished piece will be viewed. This helps reduce surprises caused by metamerism, where a color appears to change depending on the light source.

PMS 185 U is a vivid, saturated color, which can require careful application to maintain uniform appearance. Plan for consistent surface preparation, even spray technique, and sufficient coats to achieve full coverage.

Avoid spot application or uneven overlap, as this can cause visible variation across large panels or displays. For high-visibility installations, testing the full application process on a sample panel is recommended before committing to the final piece.

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 U. 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 U 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.