2025 Peterbilt 389 — Paint Color Codes & Touch‑Up Guide

Quick reference

Note: Peterbilt offered extensive factory and fleet/custom colors on the 389. The exact paint code on your truck must be confirmed from the vehicle’s label or by VIN at a Peterbilt dealer or paint supplier. Color names above are common factory choices, not an exhaustive list.

Where to find your paint code

Peterbilt records paint as one or more alphanumeric codes tied to PPG/Axalta formulas. Because many 389s were ordered in two-tone or custom schemes, you may have multiple codes (Cab Color 1, Cab Color 2, Frame/Chassis, Stripe colors).

Look in these places:

• Driver-side door jamb (B-pillar) certification label: The white/silver Vehicle Certification label typically shows paint information as “Paint,” “Cab Color 1/Cab Color 2,” or similar fields with the PACCAR/PPG codes.
• In-cab information label: On many 389s there’s a vehicle data label on the rear cab wall behind the driver seat or low on the left dash panel. It often repeats paint codes and trim.
• Build sheet/owner packet: The factory build sheet stored in the owner’s packet may list paint option codes and color descriptions.
• Dealer lookup: A Peterbilt dealer can retrieve the exact formula(s) from your VIN through PACCAR systems. This is the most reliable route if labels are missing or repainted.

Tip: If your 389 is two-tone, note which is “primary” and “secondary.” Frame/chassis black may be a separate code from the cab.

Best touch-up paint sources

• Peterbilt dealer parts counter: Provide your VIN and they can source OEM-spec paint or a formula printout for local mixing (PPG/Axalta/BASF).
• AutomotiveTouchup: Can mix by PACCAR/PPG code and ship in pens, bottles, aerosol, or pints/quarts. If you only have the VIN, contact them for assistance matching.
• Dupli-Color: Good for universal blacks, whites, silvers, and primers/clears. Heavy-truck-specific codes may be limited, but Dupli-Color is convenient for small chip repairs.
• Tcoat custom-mix: Order a custom mix from a local or online jobber that offers Tcoat or similar fleet-grade enamel/urethane systems. Provide the exact code or have them spectro-scan a fuel door, visor, or small panel.
• Local PPG/Axalta/BASF jobber: With your code or a spectro scan, they can supply accurate basecoat and compatible primers/clears.

How to use touch-up paint

1. Clean and prep: Wash with soap and water, remove wax/grease with isopropyl alcohol or wax & grease remover. Lightly de-nib the chip edges with 2000–3000 grit if raised.
2. Rust stop: If bare steel is showing, treat any rust and apply an etch or epoxy primer. Let dry fully.
3. Prime: For larger chips/scratches, apply a thin primer coat and let cure. Micro chips can often skip dedicated primer if the base includes adhesion promoters.
4. Basecoat color: Apply in light coats, allowing proper flash time between passes. Build color slowly until coverage is uniform.
5. Clearcoat: Seal with 1–2 light coats of compatible clear. Aerosol 2K clear gives better hardness on high-wear areas.
6. Level and polish: After full cure, wet sand 3000–5000 grit if needed and polish to blend gloss.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

• Always confirm the exact code and variant: The same color name can carry multiple formulas/variants. Have your supplier check for alternates and choose the best match.
• Spray-out card first: Before touching the truck, spray a test card and compare in outdoor daylight. Adjust gun distance and number of coats for flake orientation.
• Blend, don’t butt-match: On metallics/pearls, extend the color into adjacent panels and finish with clear over the entire blend area to hide edge lines.
• Control orientation: Keep gun angle and distance consistent so metallic flake “lays” the same as the original. A different lay will shift the shade.
• Mind primers/ground coats: Many metallics and pearls are sensitive to undercoat color; use the recommended gray/white/black ground to hit target shade.
• Temperature and lighting: Evaluate color in natural light. Shop lighting can mask a slight green/blue flop.

If you’re unsure of the exact 389 formula or your labels are missing, use your VIN at a Peterbilt dealer or have a reputable jobber spectro-scan the truck and mix a custom match.

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