Pantone™ PMS 285 U

When approving PMS 285 U, compare samples under consistent lighting and on the same substrate type you plan to use in production. Allow the paint to fully dry and cure before making a decision, as color and saturation can shift slightly as solvents flash off.

Evaluate the painted sample next to the Pantone PMS 285 U reference under neutral lighting whenever possible. Differences in gloss, surface texture, or viewing angle can affect perception, so approval should be based on the final coated surface, not a wet or partially cured sample.

A single spray can of PMS 285 U generally covers about 10 to 12 square feet with one medium coat. Actual coverage can vary based on spray technique, surface texture, and how much paint is applied per pass.

Highly saturated colors like PMS 285 U may require two or more coats to achieve uniform color and hide, especially on darker or uneven substrates. For planning purposes, calculate coverage assuming multiple coats and add extra cans to account for overlap and test sprays.

PMS 285 U is a Pantone color standard, not a paint manufacturer formula, so there is no guaranteed exact equivalent in other paint brand collections. Most paint brands use proprietary color systems that do not align precisely with Pantone PMS colors.

This limitation is especially important for vivid blues like PMS 285 U, where small differences in pigment or finish can be visually noticeable. For brand-critical work, it is best to evaluate an actual PMS 285 U paint sample rather than relying on a published cross-reference.

When applying PMS 285 U to metal or existing powder-coated surfaces, proper preparation is essential. Surfaces should be clean and lightly scuffed to promote adhesion, as smooth or glossy coatings can affect both bonding and final appearance.

The underlying color and sheen of the existing coating can influence how PMS 285 U looks once applied. For critical brand applications, test the color on a prepared sample part to confirm coverage, saturation, and visual match before committing to full production.

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 285 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 285 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.