2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Paint Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Maintaining the rugged appearance of your heavy-duty truck often requires minor cosmetic maintenance. Whether you are fixing a rock chip from the job site or dealing with a parking lot scratch, knowing the exact paint code for your 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is the first step to a seamless repair. This guide provides a comprehensive list of factory colors, locations to find your specific code, and the best touch-up practices.

Quick reference

Below is the list of factory exterior paint colors available for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. Note that GM often uses a three-character code (starting with "G" or "WA") interchangeably with a four-digit "WA" code.

Note: If you are uncertain about your specific color, always confirm via your VIN at a local GM dealer or through your paint supplier.

Where to find your paint code

General Motors has transitioned the location of its paint codes over the years. For a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, you can typically find your paint code in one of two places:

1. The Driver's Side Door Jamb (B-Pillar): Look for a silver or black sticker containing the vehicle's manufacturing data and a QR code. The paint code is often listed near the bottom, prefaced by "BC/CC" (Basecoat/Clearcoat) or "U" (Upper) followed by the WA code (e.g., U 8624).
2. The Glove Box: Older GM models placed the Service Parts Identification (SPID) sticker in the glove box. While most 2021 models use the door jamb QR sticker, it is still worth checking the inside of the glove compartment lid if you cannot find it on the B-pillar.

Best touch-up paint sources

Getting a high-quality color match is vital for a clean repair. We recommend the following sources:

• AutomotiveTouchup: Offers precision-mixed paint based on your exact GM factory code. They provide everything from paint pens and brush-in-cap bottles to aerosol spray cans for larger panels.
• Dupli-Color: A highly accessible brand found in most auto parts stores. They offer exact-match GM colors in convenient 2-in-1 scratch fix pens.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Great for difficult-to-match metallics and pearls, providing custom-mixed kits tailored to your specific Silverado.
• Your Local Chevy Dealer: OEM AC Delco touch-up paint pens are inexpensive and guarantee a factory-approved color match directly from the manufacturer.

How to use touch-up paint

For minor chips and scratches, follow these essential steps to apply touch-up paint correctly:

1. Clean: Thoroughly clean the scratched area with dish soap and water, followed by a wax and grease remover or rubbing alcohol.
2. Primer: If the scratch goes down to the bare metal or plastic, apply a thin coat of automotive primer. Let it dry completely.
3. Base Coat: Apply the color-matched base coat in thin, light layers. Do not glob the paint on. Allow 15-20 minutes of drying time between each layer until the chip is filled level with the surrounding paint.
4. Clear Coat: Once the base coat is fully dry (usually after an hour), apply the clear coat to seal the repair and match the factory gloss.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

If your Silverado 3500HD is painted in Iridescent Pearl Tricoat (G1W) or Cherry Red Tintcoat (GSK), repairs require a bit more finesse. Tri-coats consist of a solid base color, a translucent pearl mid-coat, and a clear coat.

• Practice first: Always test the layers on a scrap piece of metal or thick cardboard. The number of pearl mid-coats you apply will directly change the final color and sparkle.
• Layer carefully: Apply the base color until the repair is covered, then apply the pearl coat one light layer at a time, checking the match in direct sunlight.
• Blend the edges: For larger repairs using aerosols, you may need to blend the paint into the surrounding panel to avoid a harsh transition line.

If the damage is larger than a quarter or spans across multiple body panels, a DIY touch-up might not yield the best results.

Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.