2021 Freightliner Cascadia — Paint Color Codes & Touch‑Up Guide

Quick reference

Note: The Cascadia is frequently built to order with fleet-specific colors. Freightliner/DTNA assigns a dedicated cab paint code to each build. Verify your exact code from the vehicle label or via VIN with a dealer or paint supplier before ordering touch-up.

Where to find your paint code

Freightliner places the factory color information on the cab’s certification/information labels:

• Driver’s door jamb/B‑pillar: Open the driver’s door and look on the B‑pillar or door edge for a white/silver Vehicle Certification or Information label. On 2021 Cascadia you’ll typically see fields labeled “Cab Color,” “Cab Paint,” or “Paint/Trim.” The DTNA paint code is printed here and is what paint suppliers need.
• Secondary label locations: Some units also list paint on a build/options label behind the driver seat base, inside the glove/storage area, or on the passenger-side B‑pillar.
• If the label is missing or unreadable: A Freightliner/DTNA dealer can pull your “datacard/line set” from the VIN. Ask for the cab paint code and any chassis color (if different for frame or bumper). This is the most reliable way to ensure an exact match.

Tip: Photograph the entire label and the specific line that shows “Cab Paint” or “Cab Color” so you have the code exactly as printed when ordering.

Best touch-up paint sources

• Dupli‑Color: Off‑the‑shelf primers, clears, and universal whites/blacks are handy for minor nicks. For exact Freightliner colors, you’ll usually need a custom mix rather than a retail code.
• AutomotiveTouchup: Offers custom‑mixed touch‑up bottles, pens, and aerosols. Provide your Freightliner/DTNA cab paint code (from the label) or VIN so they can match.
• Tcoat custom‑mix: Custom‑mix service that can match DTNA heavy‑truck colors from a code or a scanned sample; available in bottles, pens, and aerosols.
• Freightliner dealer/body shop network: Dealers can reference the VIN/datacard and either supply touch‑up directly or connect you with their preferred paint line (PPG Delfleet, Axalta Imron, Sherwin‑Williams Genesis, etc.).
• Local automotive/truck paint jobber: Many PPG/Axalta/Sherwin distributors will mix a small quantity if you provide the DTNA paint code or a good paint sample for spectro match.

How to use touch-up paint

1. Clean: Wash the area and wipe with isopropyl alcohol or wax/grease remover. Remove loose paint and rust; feather any sharp edges with 800–1000 grit.
2. Mask: Tape off trim and adjacent panels. For stone chips, a small halo of masking is enough; for larger repairs, use proper masking paper.
3. Prime: Bare metal or plastic needs primer. Apply light coats and let fully dry; finish with 1000–1500 grit to smooth.
4. Base coat: Shake/mix thoroughly. Apply in 2–4 light passes, allowing flash time between coats. Stop when coverage is uniform; don’t chase gloss.
5. Clear coat: After base has flashed, apply 2–3 light-to-medium coats of clear. This restores gloss and protection.
6. Cure and refine: Let cure at least 24–48 hours, then nib sand dust with 2000–3000 grit and polish to blend.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri‑coats

• Confirm the formula: Many Cascadia colors are metallics; some fleets also spec pearls/tri‑coats. Make sure your supplier knows whether your code is a single‑stage, base/clear metallic, or a tri‑coat (base + mid‑coat + clear).
• Spray‑out card: Always test on a spray card first. Compare in daylight and under LED shop lights to judge flop and metallic orientation.
• Control film build: For metallics and pearls, lighter coats lay brighter; heavier coats darken and can shift hue. Keep your pass count and distance consistent.
• Blend when possible: On visible areas, blend the color into the adjacent panel and clear a wider area to hide transitions.
• Mid‑coat discipline: With tri‑coats, count and replicate the exact number of mid‑coat passes from your spray‑out to the truck. A single extra pass can make the panel look too dark or too pearl‑loaded.

If you can’t read your label or you’re unsure of the exact finish, have a local jobber or body shop scan a fuel door or mirror cover to build a match formula.

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