2022 Nissan Altima — Paint Color Codes & Touch‑Up Guide

Quick reference

Note: These are the most common factory colors for the 2022 Altima. Some trims and regions may show additional colors. If your color isn’t listed or you’re unsure, confirm your exact paint code by VIN with a Nissan dealer or a professional paint supplier before ordering.

Where to find your paint code

On the 2022 Nissan Altima, the paint code is printed on the Vehicle Certification Label on the driver-side B‑pillar (the door jamb area). Open the driver’s door and look at the vertical pillar between the front and rear doors:

• Find the white/silver sticker that includes the VIN, tire info, and manufacturing data.
• Look for a field labeled “COLOR,” “COLOR/TRIM,” or similar. The paint code will be a 3-character alphanumeric such as KAD, QAB, or KH3.
• If the B‑pillar label is missing or unreadable, a Nissan dealer can look up the code from your VIN. Professional paint suppliers can also decode your VIN.

Tip: Nissan codes are typically three characters. Do not confuse the color name on sales paperwork with the actual paint code on the label.

Best touch-up paint sources

• Dupli-Color: Widely available pens, bottles, and aerosols for popular Nissan codes (KH3, K23, KAD, QAB, etc.). Convenient for small chips and DIY repairs.
• AutomotiveTouchup: Custom-mixed to code in bottles, pens, or spray. Good when your color requires a tri-coat system (e.g., QAB Pearl White, NBL Scarlet Ember).
• Tcoat custom-mix: Independent paint mixers that can match by code or scan your vehicle for variant matches; ideal when your car has noticeable aging/fade.
• Nissan dealer parts: OEM touch-up pens/bottles for the most common colors. Useful for assurance on color naming and code confirmation.

How to use touch-up paint

1. Clean and prep: Wash with soap and water. Degrease with isopropyl alcohol or wax/grease remover. For rust spots, sand to clean metal and apply rust converter if needed.
2. Mask and sand: Lightly sand the damaged area and feather the edges with 1000–2000 grit so the new paint tapers smoothly.
3. Primer: For bare metal or deep scratches, apply an automotive primer compatible with your basecoat. Let it cure fully; wet sand smooth if necessary.
4. Basecoat (color): Shake thoroughly. Apply multiple light coats, allowing flash time between coats. Stop when coverage matches surrounding color.
5. Midcoat (for tri-coats/pearls): If your code is a tri-coat like QAB or NBL, apply the pearl midcoat in very light passes. The number of coats affects depth and darkness.
6. Clearcoat: Seal with clear. Multiple light coats build gloss and protection. After curing, you can polish to blend.

Always test on a spray-out card or inconspicuous area first to verify match before painting the vehicle surface.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

• Confirm the code: Nissan’s tri-coats include QAB (Pearl White Tricoat) and NBL (Scarlet Ember Tintcoat). These require a ground/base color plus a translucent pearl midcoat before clear.
• Spray-out is mandatory: The look of the pearl midcoat changes with coat count, gun distance, and angle. Make a test panel and compare in sun and shade.
• Blend adjacent panels: Pearls and metallics are sensitive to flop and viewing angle. If you’re repairing a larger area, blend the base and midcoat into the next panel for a seamless transition.
• Control metallic/pearl orientation: Keep passes consistent and finish with a light “control coat” to even flake/pearl laydown.
• Account for aging: Older paint can fade. If your fresh mix looks slightly off, ask for a variant formula or have a shop spectro-scan the panel.
• Plastic vs. metal panels: Bumpers may appear slightly different due to substrate and flex additives. Adjust technique and expect minor visual variation.

If your Altima’s color seems different from the table above, verify by VIN with your dealer or paint supplier to avoid ordering the wrong formula.

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