2020 Honda Pilot Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Maintaining the pristine appearance of your 2020 Honda Pilot can be a challenge, especially with the daily hazards of road debris, runaway shopping carts, and tight parking spaces. Whether you need to fix a small rock chip or touch up a deep scratch, getting the exact factory paint match is crucial for a seamless repair.

Below is your comprehensive guide to the 2020 Honda Pilot paint color codes, including where to find your vehicle’s specific code and tips for successfully applying touch-up paint.

Quick reference: 2020 Honda Pilot Paint Codes

The 2020 Honda Pilot was offered in a refined palette of metallic and pearl finishes. Here is the complete list of factory colors for this model year.

Color Name	Paint Code	Type (Solid / Metallic / Pearl)
Crystal Black	NH-731P	Pearl
Modern Steel	NH-797M	Metallic
Lunar Silver	NH-830M	Metallic
Platinum White	NH-883P	Pearl
Deep Scarlet	R-543P	Pearl
Obsidian Blue	B-588P	Pearl
Steel Sapphire	B-600M	Metallic
Black Forest	G-536P	Pearl

Note: Always confirm your specific paint code via your vehicle’s identification sticker before ordering paint, as variations can occur based on trim and production plant.

Where to find your paint code

Honda makes it relatively straightforward to locate your factory paint code. For the 2020 Honda Pilot, the paint code is located on the Service Parts Identification (SPID) sticker or the manufacturer's certification label.

To find it:

1. Open the driver's side door.
2. Look at the door jamb (the B-pillar, where the door latches when closed).
3. Locate the black-and-white or silver sticker containing the VIN, tire pressure information, and vehicle weights.
4. Near the bottom or middle of this sticker, look for a barcode. Just above or below the barcode, you will see a code starting with "NH", "R", "B", or "G" followed by a few numbers and a letter (usually 'P' for Pearl or 'M' for Metallic). For example, NH-883P indicates Platinum White Pearl.

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can call your local Honda dealership's parts department, provide them with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and they can look up the exact factory paint code for you.

Best touch-up paint sources

When it comes to purchasing touch-up paint for your Honda Pilot, you have several reliable options:

• Your Local Honda Dealer: For the absolute best match, especially for newer vehicles, OEM paint pens or brush bottles from the dealership parts department are highly recommended.
• AutomotiveTouchup: A favorite among DIYers, this company custom-mixes paint based on your exact factory code. They offer paint pens for small chips, brush bottles for scratches, and aerosol cans for larger panel repairs.
• Dupli-Color: Available at most auto parts stores (like AutoZone or O'Reilly), Dupli-Color offers exact-match Honda paint in their Scratch Fix All-in-1 tool, which includes an abrasive tip, paint, and clear coat.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Another excellent online supplier that provides high-quality custom-mixed automotive paint systems, perfect for ensuring the metallic flakes and pearl effects match your original finish.

How to use touch-up paint

For a professional-looking result, preparation and patience are key. Follow these steps:

1. Clean the Area: Wash the damaged area thoroughly with soap and water. Once dry, use a wax and grease remover or rubbing alcohol to remove any residual dirt, wax, or oil from the scratch.
2. Apply Primer (if needed): If the scratch goes all the way down to the bare metal or plastic, you must apply a thin layer of automotive primer first. Let it dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Apply the Base Coat: Shake your paint pen or bottle vigorously. Apply the color base coat in very thin, light layers. Do not try to fill the scratch all at once. Allow 15-20 minutes of drying time between each coat until the color covers the primer completely.
4. Apply Clear Coat: The base color will dry dull. Once the final color coat has dried (usually after 30-60 minutes), apply the clear coat. The clear coat provides the glossy finish and protects the paint from UV rays and weather. Apply in thin layers until it is level with the surrounding paint.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Nearly all 2020 Honda Pilot colors are metallic or pearl finishes, with Platinum White Pearl (NH-883P) being a notable multi-stage paint. These finishes can be tricky to touch up perfectly.

• Shake well: Metallic and pearl flakes settle at the bottom of the bottle. Shake the paint vigorously for at least 2-3 minutes before application, and shake it frequently during the process.
• Practice first: Test the paint on a hidden area or a piece of scrap metal or cardboard. This allows you to see how the metallic flake lays down and ensures the color is a good match before you apply it to your hood or door.
• Tri-coats require layers: If your paint is a true tri-coat (requiring a base color, a mid-coat pearl layer, and a clear coat), you must apply them in the correct sequence. The mid-coat determines the final hue and sparkle, so apply it sparingly—too many layers will make the spot look darker than the rest of the car.
• Blend carefully: For larger scratches, you may need to lightly wet-sand and use rubbing compound after the clear coat cures to blend the repair perfectly into the surrounding factory finish.

If a scratch or scrape is too large for a DIY touch-up pen, or if you're not comfortable matching a complex pearl paint, it’s best to consult the professionals.

Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.