2021 Honda Pilot Paint Codes

Quick reference

Where to find your paint code

For most 2021 Honda Pilot models, the paint code can be found on a sticker located on the driver's side door jamb. This sticker typically contains various vehicle information, including the VIN and manufacturing details. Look for a label that explicitly states "COLOR" or "PAINT" followed by an alphanumeric code. It's usually a small label. In some cases, the paint code might be found under the hood on a separate tag, but the door jamb is the most common location for Honda vehicles.

Best touch-up paint sources

When it comes to touching up minor scratches or chips on your 2021 Honda Pilot, several reputable brands offer excellent color matches:

• Dupli-Color: A widely available brand offering aerosol cans, paint pens, and brush-on bottles. Dupli-Color provides a good balance of affordability and quality, making it a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts.
• AutomotiveTouchup: This company specializes in custom-mixed touch-up paints, often providing a more precise match for pearls and metallics. They offer a comprehensive range of products, including primer, base coat, and clear coat, crucial for a professional finish.
• Tcoat custom-mix: Tcoat offers custom-mixed paint solutions that are color-matched to your specific vehicle using your paint code. This can be a great option for hard-to-match colors or for achieving the best possible blend.
• Dealerships: Your local Honda dealership can also supply genuine touch-up paint. While often more expensive, these are guaranteed to be an exact match to your original factory color.

How to use touch-up paint

Achieving a seamless touch-up involves a few key steps:

1. Clean the area: Thoroughly clean the chipped or scratched area with soap and water, then wipe with rubbing alcohol to remove any wax or contaminants. This ensures proper adhesion.
2. Apply primer (optional but recommended): For deeper scratches that expose bare metal or plastic, apply a thin layer of primer. Allow it to dry completely according to the product instructions.
3. Apply base coat: Shake the touch-up paint thoroughly. Apply several thin coats of the base color, allowing each coat to dry for 10-15 minutes before applying the next. Build up the paint gradually until it's level with the surrounding clear coat.
4. Apply clear coat: Once the base coat is dry, apply 2-3 thin coats of clear coat. This protects the paint and provides a glossy finish. Allow ample drying time between coats and for the final clear coat to cure.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Pearl and tri-coat finishes, like those found on several 2021 Honda Pilot colors, involve multiple layers of paint to achieve their unique depth and shimmer. Matching these precisely with touch-up paint can be challenging:

• Layering is crucial: Pearl and tri-coat paints consist of a base color, followed by one or more translucent pearl layers, and then a clear coat. When touching up, it's essential to replicate these layers accurately. AutomotiveTouchup and Tcoat custom-mix are particularly good at providing these multi-stage systems.
• Test in an inconspicuous area: Always test your touch-up paint on a hidden spot (like inside the door jamb or under the hood) to ensure the color match and application technique are correct before working on a visible area.
• Lighting matters: The appearance of pearl and metallic paints can vary significantly under different lighting conditions. Check your touch-up work in various lighting to ensure a consistent match.
• Blend carefully: When applying subsequent pearl or clear coats, try to blend the edges of the touch-up area into the surrounding factory paint to minimize harsh lines.

If you're uncertain about matching a pearl or tri-coat color, it's always best to consult with a professional body shop or utilize paint suppliers that specialize in custom mixes and provide multi-stage kits based on your VIN.

Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.