Pantone™ PMS 242 U

PMS 242 U is a Pantone reference color, but the finish you choose changes how it is perceived. A gloss finish reflects more light, which can make PMS 242 U appear brighter and more saturated. A satin or matte finish scatters light, which can make the same color look deeper or slightly darker. Because Pantone does not define sheen, you should select the finish based on how and where the color will be viewed, then evaluate a sample under the actual lighting conditions.

For PMS 242 U, multiple light coats generally produce a more uniform color than one heavy coat. Light passes help control build and reduce blotchiness, which is especially important for saturated Pantone colors. Allow each coat to flash off before applying the next, following the product guidance, rather than trying to reach full coverage in a single pass.

PMS 242 U defines a visual color target, not the original coating formula, sheen, or substrate conditions. Existing finishes may have aged, changed gloss, or vary by material, making an exact blend unlikely. Because of these variables, Pantone PMS colors are best used for brand-facing applications where PMS 242 U is the target reference, not for blending into an existing painted surface.

Whether a primer is needed for PMS 242 U depends on the substrate, the paint type, and the exposure conditions. Primers can improve adhesion and help with coverage, especially on raw, uneven, or high-contrast surfaces. If you are unsure, priming first and testing PMS 242 U over that surface is a practical way to confirm appearance and coverage before full application.

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 242 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 242 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.