2017 Ford Escape — Paint Color Codes & Touch‑Up Guide

Quick reference

Notes:

• Ford labels list the exterior paint as a two‑character code (examples above). Trim/roof colors are separate. If you have White Gold or Canyon Ridge, confirm the exact two‑letter code from your door‑jamb label or dealer by VIN.

Where to find your paint code

On the 2017 Ford Escape, the exterior paint code is printed on Ford’s Vehicle Certification Label (also called the Safety Compliance Certification Label) on the driver’s side B‑pillar.

How to find it:

• Open the driver’s door and look on the door jamb/B‑pillar near the latch. You’ll see a rectangular sticker with the VIN, build date, GVWR, and other data.
• Find the field labeled “EXT PNT” (Exterior Paint). The value will be a two‑character code such as J7, UX, UG, RR, G1, YZ/Z1, or N6.
• If the label is missing or unreadable, your Ford dealer or a paint supplier can decode the paint by VIN.

Best touch‑up paint sources

• Dupli‑Color Perfect Match: Widely available aerosols and brush pens keyed to Ford codes like J7, UX, and YZ. Great for small chips and quick blends.
• AutomotiveTouchup.com: Mixes to your exact code in bottles, pens, or aerosols; also offers primers, clear coats, and spray guns for larger panels.
• Tcoat (custom‑mix/local jobber): A quality paint supplier can scan your fuel door or provide alternate variants for better blend on aged finishes.
• Ford dealer parts (Motorcraft): OEM‑spec touch‑up bottles and pens for common Ford codes; convenient if you want factory‑labeled product.

Tip: Always provide the two‑character paint code from your door label. For tri‑coats (UG White Platinum, RR Ruby Red), order the full system: base, mid‑coat, and clear.

How to use touch‑up paint

1. Clean and prep
   • Wash with soap, dry, then wipe with isopropyl alcohol or wax/grease remover.
   • De‑rust chips with a pick or rust converter; feather sharp edges with 1500–2000 grit.
2. Prime (bare metal or plastic)
   • Light coats of sandable primer; let flash, then smooth with 1500–2000 grit.
3. Base color
   • Shake well. Apply very light coats, letting each flash. Build coverage gradually to avoid texture and dark edges.
4. Mid‑coat (tri‑coats only)
   • For UG and RR, apply the translucent mid‑coat in 1–3 light passes. The number of passes affects depth and match.
5. Clear coat
   • 2–3 wet coats of clear for gloss and protection. Allow full cure, then lightly polish after a few days if needed.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri‑coats

• Verify the code and any variants: Some Ford colors have multiple formula variants. A good supplier can mix the closest variant to your VIN or scan your panel.
• Test first: Spray a test card over a similar primer shade and hold it against the vehicle in sun and shade. Adjust the number of mid‑coats (UG/RR) to fine‑tune.
• Blend when possible: For metallics like J7/UX and pearls like UG/RR, extend color slightly into the adjacent area and clear a wider zone to hide transitions.
• Watch metallic orientation: Keep passes even and at consistent distance. A heavy final pass can darken metallics; a mist “control coat” helps even the flake.
• Substrate matters: Primer color and film build influence pearls. Match the recommended ground coat; too dark/light underneath will shift the final hue.
• Temperature and flash: Work between 65–80°F with proper flash times to prevent mottling or striping in metallics.

If your Escape is White Gold or Canyon Ridge, those were mid‑cycle additions for 2017; confirm the exact two‑letter code on your label or by VIN before ordering.

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