2017 Ram 1500 Paint Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Quick reference

Where to find your paint code

For your 2017 Ram 1500, the paint code is typically located on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb. Open the driver's door and look at the edge of the door itself, or on the B-pillar (the body portion between the front and rear doors when the front door is open). This sticker will also contain other vehicle information, such as the VIN and tire pressure. The paint code is usually a two or three-digit code, often alphanumeric, and may be preceded by "PNT" or "C/TR".

If you have trouble locating the sticker or identifying the code, you can always contact a Ram dealership parts department with your VIN, and they will be able to provide you with the exact paint code for your truck.

Best touch-up paint sources

When it comes to touching up minor scratches or chips on your 2017 Ram 1500, several reputable sources offer quality products:

• Dupli-Color: A widely available brand that offers touch-up pens, paint bottles with brushes, and aerosol cans. They provide a broad range of factory-matched colors for various makes and models, including Ram. Easily found at most auto parts stores.
• AutomotiveTouchup: This company specializes in custom-mixed touch-up paint directly matched to your vehicle's factory code. They offer a comprehensive range of paint products, including primers, basecoats, and clearcoats, in pens, bottles, spray cans, and larger quantities for more extensive repairs. Their color match accuracy is generally very high.
• Tcoat custom-mix: Similar to AutomotiveTouchup, Tcoat offers custom-mixed paint solutions to precisely match your vehicle's color. They can be a good option for hard-to-find colors or for those seeking a highly accurate match.
• Dealership: Your local Ram dealership parts department can also supply factory-matched touch-up paint. While sometimes a bit more expensive, it guarantees an exact match from the original manufacturer.

How to use touch-up paint

Achieving a good result with touch-up paint requires a few careful steps:

1. Clean: Thoroughly clean the affected area with soap and water, then gently dry. Use a prep solvent or rubbing alcohol to remove any wax, grease, or contaminants.
2. Primer (if necessary): 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. Base Coat: Apply the color (base coat) in thin, even layers. Build up the color gradually, allowing each coat to dry tacky before applying the next. Avoid applying too much paint at once, which can lead to drips or an uneven finish.
4. Clear Coat: Once the base coat has dried completely (check product instructions, usually a few hours or overnight), apply several thin layers of clear coat. This protects the paint and provides a glossy finish. Allow the clear coat to cure fully.
5. Compounding/Polishing (optional): After the clear coat has fully cured (this can take several days or even weeks), you can gently wet sand with very fine-grit sandpaper (2000-3000 grit) and then compound and polish to blend the repair seamlessly with the surrounding paint.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Pearl and tri-coat paints, like many of those offered on the 2017 Ram 1500, can be trickier to match than solid colors. These paints contain special mica or iridescent flakes that reflect light differently, giving them a lustrous, multi-dimensional appearance.

• Application Technique is Key: For pearl and tri-coat touch-up paints, consistent and even application is crucial. Sprayers (aerosol cans or spray guns) often yield better results than brushes for these types of finishes, as they allow for a more even distribution of the pearl particles.
• Multiple Layers: Tri-coat paints involve three layers: a base color, a mid-coat (the pearl effect layer), and a clear coat. Each layer must be applied thinly and evenly, allowing proper flash-off times between coats. If you're using a touch-up kit, be sure to follow the specific instructions for applying the multi-stage system.
• Lighting: Always check your work under various lighting conditions (shade, direct sunlight) to assess the color match and ensure the pearl effect is consistent with the surrounding paint. Sometimes, the color can look slightly different depending on the light source.
• Test Panel: If you're using an aerosol or larger quantity of paint, it's highly recommended to test the paint on a scrap piece of metal or an inconspicuous area first. This allows you to practice your technique and verify the color match before applying it to your truck.

Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.