2018 Ford F-150 — Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Quick reference

Note: Ford occasionally shows Oxford White as YZ on parts databases. Use the exact two-character code from your truck’s door-jamb label when ordering.

Where to find your paint code

On the 2018 Ford F‑150, the exterior paint code is printed on Ford’s Vehicle Certification (VC) label on the driver-side door jamb/B‑pillar.

• Open the driver door and look at the vertical door jamb (B‑pillar) or door edge. You’ll see a white or silver sticker labeled “MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO.”
• Find the field labeled “EXT PNT” (Exterior Paint). The two-character code printed there is your paint code (example: EXT PNT: J7 = Magnetic Metallic).
• Some trucks may list Oxford White as Z1 or YZ; both refer to Oxford White, but always order using the exact code shown on your label. If your label is missing or unreadable, a Ford dealer or paint supplier can confirm the correct code from your VIN.

Best touch-up paint sources

• Dupli-Color: Widely available pens, bottles, and aerosols for common Ford codes like Z1, J7, UX, UG, and RR. Convenient for small chips and scratches.
• AutomotiveTouchup: Mix-to-code bottles, pens, and pro-grade aerosols with matched primer and clear options. Good for larger spot repairs and blends.
• Tcoat custom-mix: Order custom-mixed basecoat/clearcoat by code for spray gun or aerosol; useful when you need closer variant matching.
• Ford dealer/Motorcraft: OEM-labeled touch-up pens and aerosols for popular colors; easy code lookup by VIN.
• Local automotive paint jobber (PPG, BASF, Axalta, Sherwin-Williams): Can scan your panel and mix by code or by spectro match when fading/variants are a concern.

How to use touch-up paint

1. Clean and prep
   • Wash the area and remove tar/wax. Use 70%+ isopropyl alcohol or a panel wipe to degrease.
   • De-nib rust and loose paint with a plastic scraper or 800–1200 grit paper. Feather edges lightly.
   • 2015+ F‑150 body panels are aluminum. If you expose bare metal, use an epoxy or self‑etching primer designed for aluminum to prevent corrosion and ensure adhesion.
2. Prime (only on bare metal)
   • Apply 1–2 light coats of primer; allow recommended flash and sand lightly with 800–1000 grit until smooth.
3. Basecoat (color)
   • Shake well. Apply multiple thin coats, allowing 5–10 minutes between passes. Stop when coverage is uniform and the repair just disappears at the edge.
4. Clearcoat
   • After base flashes dull, apply 2–3 light coats of clear. This restores gloss and UV protection. Let cure fully per product directions.
5. Finish
   • After 24–72 hours (per product), lightly wet sand and polish if needed to blend texture and gloss with surrounding paint.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

• Know your type: Ruby Red (RR) and White Platinum (UG) are tri‑coats. They use a ground coat plus a mid‑coat pearl layer. Matching depth and warmth depends on the number and thickness of mid‑coat passes.
• Spray-out cards: Always make a small test panel. Adjust the number of mid‑coat passes (tri‑coats) or distance/gun angle (metallics) to match flop and sparkle.
• Blend when possible: For metallics and pearls (J7, UX, UN, N6, JQ, NL, RR, UG), blend into the adjacent panel rather than stopping in the middle of a panel. This hides minor shade differences.
• Sunlight check: Evaluate your match outdoors in full sun and in shade. Pearls can shift tone with lighting.
• Variants happen: Large-volume colors often have multiple OEM/refinish variants. A local jobber can mix alternate formulas by code and use a spectrophotometer to dial in your exact truck.
• Order by your code: Many Ford whites appear similar. Oxford White (Z1) is a solid; White Platinum (UG) is a tri‑coat pearl. Using the wrong one will be obvious. Confirm via your VIN with a dealer or paint supplier if in doubt.

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