2023 Honda Civic Paint Codes

Quick reference

Where to find your paint code

For most 2023 Honda Civic models, you'll find the paint code sticker on the driver's side door jamb. Open the driver's door and look at the jamb area where the door latches. The sticker is typically white or silver and will contain various vehicle information, including a "COLOR" or "PAINT" section with a two to five-character code consisting of letters and numbers. Sometimes, it might be on the B-pillar (the structural post between the front and rear doors).

If you have trouble locating it, your owner's manual will often have a diagram indicating the exact location. You can also check your glove compartment documentation or contact a Honda dealership with your VIN, and they can provide the precise paint code for your vehicle.

Best touch-up paint sources

When it comes to fixing minor scratches and chips on your 2023 Honda Civic, several reputable sources offer quality touch-up paint:

• Dupli-Color: Widely available at automotive parts stores, Dupli-Color offers an extensive range of OEM-matched colors in pens, bottles, and aerosol cans. Their products are good for small chips and light scratches.
• AutomotiveTouchup: This online retailer specializes in custom-mixed, exact-match touch-up paint for virtually every make and model. They offer paint in bottles, pens, aerosol cans, and larger quantities for more extensive repairs. Their quality and color accuracy are highly regarded.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Tcoat is another excellent online option for custom-mixed paint. They often provide paint in various sizes and formulations, including those for pearls and tri-coats, ensuring a very close match to your factory finish.
• Dealership: Your local Honda dealership parts department can order genuine OEM touch-up paint specifically for your Civic's paint code. This ensures the best possible color match, as it's the original manufacturer's product.

How to use touch-up paint

Applying touch-up paint correctly is crucial for achieving a seamless repair:

1. Clean the area: Thoroughly wash and degrease the damaged area. Use rubbing alcohol to remove any wax or polish.
2. Apply primer (if necessary): For deeper chips that have exposed bare metal, apply a thin layer of primer and let it dry completely.
3. Apply base coat: Shake the touch-up paint thoroughly. Apply several thin coats of the base color, allowing each coat to dry for the recommended time between applications. Build up the paint slowly until it's level with the surrounding surface. For metallic and pearl paints, try to apply it in the same direction as the original paint if possible to ensure the metallic flakes or pearl reflect light similarly.
4. Apply clear coat: Once the base coat is dry, apply a few thin layers of clear coat to protect the paint and restore the gloss. This step is especially important for metallic and pearl finishes to achieve the correct depth and shine.
5. Cure and polish: Allow the touch-up paint to cure for several days (check product instructions). Afterward, you can gently wet-sand with very fine grit sandpaper (2000-3000 grit) if needed to smooth out any imperfections, followed by polishing to blend the repair with the original paint.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Pearl and tri-coat paints, like many of the options for the 2023 Honda Civic, can be more challenging to match perfectly due to their multi-layered composition. These paints contain special mica or pearl flakes that create a unique depth and shimmer.

• Application technique is key: For pearl colors, the angle and evenness of application significant impact the final appearance. Try to apply touch-up paint with consistent, thin strokes or sprays to mimic the factory finish.
• Multi-stage systems: Tri-coat paints consist of a base color, a mid-coat (the pearl effect layer), and a clear coat. Ensure your touch-up kit includes all necessary components and follow the application instructions precisely for each stage.
• Test fit: If possible, test the touch-up paint on a discreet area or a test card to confirm the color match before applying it to the visible damage.
• Consider professional help: For larger repairs or if you're uncomfortable working with pearl or tri-coat finishes, a professional body shop can achieve the best possible result.

Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.