2016 Nissan Frontier Paint Codes & Color Guide

Quick Reference

Where to find your paint code

Locating the paint code for your 2016 Nissan Frontier is a straightforward process. Nissan places a factory identification sticker on the driver's side door jamb. This sticker contains a wealth of information about your truck, including its VIN, manufacturing date, and, most importantly, the paint code.

Open the driver's side door and look along the B-pillar (the area where the door latches). You will see a white or silver rectangular sticker. On this sticker, look for the "COLOR" or "PAINT" heading. The code listed next to it is your factory paint code. For the 2016 Frontier, this will be a three-character alphanumeric code, such as K23 for Brilliant Silver or G41 for Magnetic Black. Always use this code to ensure you purchase the correct color touch-up paint. If the sticker is missing or illegible, a Nissan dealership's parts department can retrieve your paint code using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Best touch-up paint sources

Once you've identified your paint code, you have several excellent options for purchasing high-quality touch-up paint to restore your Frontier's finish.

• Dupli-Color: Widely available at auto parts stores like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts, Dupli-Color offers a range of paint pens, aerosol cans, and complete kits. Their products are a convenient and affordable choice for small chips and scratches.
• AutomotiveTouchup: This online retailer specializes in providing exact-match automotive paints. They offer a comprehensive solution, including primers, basecoats, and clearcoats in various sizes, from small touch-up bottles to larger spray cans and even quart/gallon containers for bigger jobs. Their color accuracy is highly regarded.
• Tcoat custom-mix: For a professional-grade match, especially for older or faded vehicles, consider a custom-mixed paint from a local automotive paint supplier. They can use a spectrophotometer to analyze your vehicle's current color and create a perfect blend.
• Nissan Dealership: Your local dealer's parts department can supply you with Genuine Nissan touch-up paint pens or bottles. While sometimes more expensive, this guarantees a match to the original factory formula.

How to use touch-up paint

Achieving a near-invisible repair requires patience and the right technique. Follow these steps for the best results on your 2016 Frontier:

1. Clean: The most critical step is to thoroughly clean the area. Use a wax and grease remover or isopropyl alcohol to ensure the surface is free of any contaminants.
2. Primer: For chips that have gone down to the bare metal, applying a small amount of automotive primer is essential. This prevents rust and helps the color coat adhere properly. Apply a thin layer and let it dry completely.
3. Base Coat (Color): Shake the paint thoroughly. Apply thin, even layers of the color coat, allowing each layer to dry for at least 20-30 minutes. It’s better to apply several thin coats than one thick one. For small chips, a fine-tipped brush or a toothpick works well.
4. Clear Coat: The clear coat protects the base coat and provides the glossy finish. After the final color coat is dry (check the manufacturer's instructions), apply one or two thin layers of clear coat. This will help the repair blend seamlessly with the surrounding paint.

Color matching tips for pearls and metallics

Most 2016 Nissan Frontier colors are metallic or pearl, which can be trickier to match than solid colors. The metallic flakes and pearl particles in the paint reflect light differently depending on the viewing angle.

• Blending is Key: To make a repair seamless, it's often necessary to blend the new paint into the existing paint. This involves spraying the new color slightly beyond the repaired area and then applying the clear coat over a wider area still.
• Spray Technique Matters: When using aerosol cans for metallic paints, the distance and speed of your spray passes can affect the orientation of the metallic flakes, which in turn affects the color's appearance. Practice on a piece of cardboard to get a feel for the right technique before moving to the vehicle.
• Confirm with a Test Card: Always spray a test card and compare it to your vehicle's paint in direct sunlight before applying paint to the vehicle itself. Hold the card at different angles to ensure the metallic or pearl effect matches.

If a perfect, invisible repair is your goal, especially on a highly visible panel, a professional body shop is your best bet.

Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.