2017 Kenworth T680 Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

When maintaining a heavy-duty commercial truck like the 2017 Kenworth T680, keeping the exterior looking sharp is about more than just vanity—it's about protecting your investment from rust, corrosion, and the elements. Whether you manage a whole fleet or you are an owner-operator, dealing with rock chips, scratches, and road debris is a regular part of the job.

Below is our comprehensive guide to the factory paint colors, code locations, and touch-up procedures for the 2017 Kenworth T680.

Quick reference

Because Kenworth trucks are highly customizable for commercial fleets, there are thousands of custom colors available. However, the majority of T680s roll off the line in popular, standardized factory fleet colors. Here are some of the most common factory colors for the 2017 Kenworth T680:

Note: Commercial truck paint codes can vary based on the paint manufacturer (Axalta, Sherwin-Williams, PPG) used at the factory. If you are uncertain about your specific color, always confirm via your VIN at a Kenworth dealer or commercial paint supplier.

Where to find your paint code

Unlike standard passenger vehicles, commercial heavy-duty trucks have specialized build plates. For your 2017 Kenworth T680, you can find the factory paint code in a few specific locations:

1. Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Look for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and weight rating sticker on the driver’s side door edge or B-pillar. The paint code is often printed near the bottom of this label.
2. The Glove Box / Cab Interior: Many Kenworths include a Line Setting Ticket (or build sheet) glued to the inside of the glove box door or behind the driver’s sun visor. This sheet lists all original specifications, including the exact paint code and brand (e.g., Axalta Imron).
3. Through the Dealer: Because fleet trucks frequently have custom orders, the absolute best way to verify your paint code is to call a Kenworth dealership parts department and provide your full 17-digit VIN.

Best touch-up paint sources

Getting a perfect match on a large commercial vehicle means choosing the right supplier. Here are your best options:

• AutomotiveTouchup: Excellent for aerosol spray cans and larger touch-up bottles, especially for popular metallic and solid commercial colors.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: A great choice if you need a specialized fleet color mixed precisely to your OEM code.
• Kenworth Dealership: Your local dealer parts counter can often supply OEM touch-up pens and small bottles designed specifically for factory fleet colors like Kenworth White and Viper Red.
• Dupli-Color: While Dupli-Color focuses heavily on passenger vehicles, their universal Gloss White or Gloss Black can serve as an inexpensive, temporary fix for frame rails or standard white fleet cabs.

How to use touch-up paint

For a durable repair that withstands thousands of highway miles, follow these application steps:

1. Clean: Wash the chipped or scratched area with soap and water, then wipe it down with a wax and grease remover or rubbing alcohol. Remove any surface rust with a wire brush or sandpaper.
2. Primer: Apply a small amount of automotive primer to the bare metal or fiberglass. Let it dry completely.
3. Base Coat: Apply the color-matched base coat in thin, light layers. Use a fine-tipped brush or a toothpick for small chips. Allow 15-20 minutes of drying time between each coat until the primer is fully covered.
4. Clear Coat: Once the base coat is dry to the touch, apply a high-quality clear coat. This seals the paint, matches the factory gloss, and provides essential UV and chemical resistance.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

While most T680s are painted in durable solid colors for easy fleet maintenance, some owner-operator rigs feature metallic, pearl, or tri-coat finishes.

If your truck has a metallic or pearl finish, remember that the metallic flakes need to align properly to match the surrounding paint. Shake your touch-up bottle vigorously before and during application to keep the flakes suspended. For tri-coats (which require a base color, a translucent pearl mid-coat, and a clear coat), you must test the layers on a scrap piece of metal or cardboard first. The final color changes depending on how many layers of the pearl mid-coat you apply.

Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.