Mystichrome Mustang RTR: Reviving an Iconic Color

The Process: A Level of Detail Beyond Factory Standards

Every RTR Extended Color Palette Mustang begins as a Shadow Black chassis delivered straight from Flat Rock Assembly Plant (FRAP) to FOX Factory’s facility in Birmingham, Alabama. From there, a dedicated team of specialists takes over, ensuring every vehicle undergoes an extensive transformation.

Preparation: Creating the Perfect Canvas

Before any paint touches the surface, a rigorous preparation process takes place.

• Full chassis evaluation: Each vehicle is inspected before beginning the refinishing process.
• Thorough cleaning: All factory-applied stickers and residue are removed to create a pristine base for the new paint.
• Dust control measures: The environment is meticulously maintained to ensure cleanliness, as even the smallest contaminants can affect the finish.

• Disassembly for precision: Factory components are removed to allow for full paint coverage, ensuring no factory color remains visible in areas like door jambs and inner fenders.
• Sanding and scuffing: The entire surface is prepped to ensure maximum paint adhesion to create a flawless finish.
• Final cleaning: Before painting begins, the vehicle undergoes a second round of cleaning to remove any remaining dust or debris.

The Mystichrome Painting Process

Once the Mustang RTR is fully prepped, it enters the state-of-the-art dust-controlled paint booth, where the Mystichrome painting process begins.

• Sealed-off booth: The booth is completely sealed to maintain a pristine painting environment.
• Optimized lighting: Rows and columns of lighting are installed in the booth to highlight any potential imperfections, allowing the paint specialists to make adjustments as needed.
• Consistent application: Whenever possible, the same painter sprays every Mystichrome Mustang to ensure uniformity in gun settings, humidity conditions, and application technique.
• Body components painted separately: This ensures maximum paint coverage without any factory color peeking through.

Mystichrome’s color-shifting properties make it one of the most challenging paints to apply. It requires precise layering to achieve the signature deep blues, purples, and greens that change under different lighting angles. While the formula remains true to the original 2004 SVT Cobra’s Mystichrome, modern paint technology, and materials ensure an even more striking and long-lasting finish

The Final Touches

Once the painting process is complete, the vehicle enters the curing and off-gassing phase, ensuring the paint fully sets for long-term durability. But the work doesn’t stop there—every Mystichrome Mustang RTR goes through a detailed finishing process to achieve an impeccable final product.

• Final buffing and finishing: The surface is polished to bring out the full depth and vibrancy of the Mystichrome color.
• Careful reassembly: Factory components are reinstalled
• RTR components installed: RTR components such as the grille, graphics, wheels, and badging are added. 
• Rigorous quality control: Every stage of the process includes a QC checkpoint, which ensures the vehicle meets the highest standards before it is delivered to the customer.

The Return of an Icon: Mystichrome is available on Mustang RTR

Since its release, several Mystichrome Mustang RTRs have already been delivered to customers, and the reaction has been nothing short of incredible. Enthusiasts and RTR owners alike have expressed excitement over the return of this legendary color, which has been absent from Ford’s lineup for 20 years. Seeing the unmistakable chameleon-like hues shift under different lighting conditions is an experience that leaves onlookers in awe.

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Mustang with a truly one-of-a-kind finish, the RTR Extended Color Palette and Paint-to-Sample Program offers the opportunity to bring your vision to life.