2021 Ford Explorer Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Whether you are fixing a minor rock chip on the highway, repairing a scratched bumper, or planning a custom paint job, finding the exact paint code for your 2021 Ford Explorer is the first step to achieving a flawless finish. Modern automotive paints are highly complex, often featuring metallic flakes, pearl layers, and tinted clearcoats. Using the correct factory paint code ensures your touch-up paint will blend seamlessly with the original finish.

Quick reference

Below is a comprehensive list of the factory colors offered for the 2021 Ford Explorer model year. Keep in mind that depending on your trim level (XLT, Limited, ST, Platinum, etc.), some colors may have been premium or exclusive options.

Color Name	Paint Code	Type
Agate Black	UM	Metallic
Atlas Blue	B3	Metallic
Burgundy Velvet	R3	Tinted Clearcoat / Metallic
Carbonized Gray	M7	Metallic
Iconic Silver	JS	Metallic
Infinite Blue	AB	Metallic
Oxford White	YZ / Z1	Solid
Rapid Red	D4	Tinted Clearcoat / Pearl
Star White	AZ	Tri-coat Pearl
Stone Gray	D1	Metallic

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

Where to find your paint code

Ford makes it relatively easy to locate your vehicle's paint code. On the 2021 Ford Explorer, the paint code is printed on the Vehicle Certification Label (often referred to as the door-jamb sticker).

1. Open the driver’s side door.
2. Look at the B-pillar (the vertical frame behind the driver's door) or the edge of the door itself.
3. Locate the black-and-white sticker containing your VIN, tire pressures, and manufacturing dates.
4. Look at the bottom left-hand corner of the sticker for the letters "EXT PNT" (Exterior Paint).
5. Directly below or next to "EXT PNT," you will see a two-character alphanumeric code (e.g., "M7" for Carbonized Gray or "AZ" for Star White). This is your exact factory paint code.

Best touch-up paint sources

Once you have your paint code, you will need to purchase high-quality touch-up paint. Here are the best sources for exact-match paints:

• Your Local Ford Dealer: Motorcraft touch-up paint pens are inexpensive, exact matches directly from Ford. They are perfect for tiny rock chips and typically feature a dual-tip (pen and brush) applicator along with a built-in clearcoat.
• Dupli-Color: Known for their Exact-Match line, Dupli-Color offers aerosol sprays and touch-up pens available at most major auto parts stores. They are an excellent, budget-friendly option for small to medium DIY repairs.
• AutomotiveTouchup: A highly recommended online supplier that custom-mixes paint based on your exact factory code. They offer everything from small half-ounce bottles to aerosol spray cans and ready-to-spray pints for airguns.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Another great specialized online source that provides comprehensive kits, including prep wipes, primers, and clearcoats, designed for professional-grade DIY repairs.

How to use touch-up paint

For the best results when repairing chips and scratches, follow these essential steps:

1. Clean: Thoroughly wash the area with soap and water. Follow up with wax and grease remover or rubbing alcohol to remove any contaminants. If there is rust, carefully sand it away with a fiberglass prep pen or fine-grit sandpaper.
2. Primer: If the scratch goes all the way down to the bare metal or plastic, apply a light coat of primer. Let it dry completely before applying the color.
3. Basecoat: Shake your touch-up paint vigorously. Apply the color in very light, thin layers. Do not try to fill the chip in one pass. Allow 10 to 15 minutes of drying time between coats until the color covers the primer and is almost level with the surrounding paint.
4. Clearcoat: Once the basecoat is fully dry (wait at least 30-60 minutes), apply the clearcoat. The clearcoat protects the base layer, provides UV resistance, and matches the glossy finish of the rest of the vehicle.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Colors like Star White (AZ) and Rapid Red (D4) are tri-coat or tinted clearcoat paints, which are notoriously difficult to touch up seamlessly.

A standard solid or metallic color uses a simple basecoat followed by a clearcoat. However, a tri-coat paint requires three stages: a solid base ground-coat, a translucent mid-coat containing pearl or metallic flakes, and a final clearcoat.

When touching up tri-coats:

• Practice first: Test the paint on a piece of scrap metal or cardboard. The final color changes depending on how many layers of the pearl mid-coat you apply.
• Be patient: Apply the ground coat and let it dry. Then apply the mid-coat one very light layer at a time, checking the color match in direct sunlight.
• Blending: For larger scratches or bumper scuffs, tri-coat paints usually require blending into the adjacent panels by a professional to trick the eye into seeing a perfect match.

If your 2021 Ford Explorer has extensive paint damage, deep gouges, or requires tri-coat blending that goes beyond a simple DIY touch-up, it is best to leave it to the professionals. Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.