2015 Tesla Model S Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Keeping your 2015 Tesla Model S looking pristine starts with knowing your exact factory paint code. Whether you are dealing with a minor scratch from a parking lot, rock chips from the highway, or planning a larger cosmetic repair, matching your Tesla's original color is essential. Below is the ultimate guide to 2015 Tesla Model S paint codes, where to find them, and how to apply touch-up paint for a flawless finish.

Quick reference

Here are the factory paint colors offered for the 2015 Tesla Model S. Always verify your specific code before ordering paint.

Color Name	Paint Code	Type
Solid Black	PBSB	Solid
Solid White	PBSW	Solid
Pearl White Multi-Coat	PPSW	Pearl / Tri-coat
Silver Metallic	PMSS	Metallic
Midnight Silver Metallic	PMNG	Metallic
Steel Grey Metallic	PMTG	Metallic
Titanium Metallic	PPTI	Metallic
Deep Blue Metallic	PPSB	Metallic
Obsidian Black Multi-Coat	PMBL	Metallic
Red Multi-Coat	PPMR	Pearl / Tri-coat

Note: If you are uncertain about your specific color variant, always confirm your paint code via your VIN at a Tesla Service Center or through a certified paint supplier.

Where to find your paint code

Finding the paint code on a 2015 Tesla Model S is a straightforward process, though it differs slightly from legacy automakers.

To locate your paint code:

1. Open the driver’s side door.
2. Look at the vehicle certification label (often referred to as the VIN sticker) located on the B-pillar or the door jamb.
3. Near the bottom of this sticker, you will see a designation for "PNT" or "PAINT" followed by a four-letter code (e.g., PPSW for Pearl White Multi-Coat).

If the sticker is missing, damaged, or unreadable, you can also log into your Tesla app or Tesla account online and view your vehicle details, or provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to a Tesla Service Center to get the exact factory color specification.

Best touch-up paint sources

When it comes to purchasing touch-up paint for your Tesla, you have several reliable options:

• Tesla Service Centers: Purchasing a touch-up paint kit directly from Tesla ensures a perfect OEM match. Tesla's kits often come with the base coat and clear coat seamlessly integrated or as a two-step pen.
• AutomotiveTouchup: Highly recommended for custom-mixed spray cans, paint pens, and bottled touch-up paint. They are known for exceptional accuracy, especially with metallic and pearl finishes.
• Dupli-Color: A popular and easily accessible brand found at most local auto parts stores. While they offer standard generic matches, finding an exact match for Tesla’s specific multi-coats might be challenging in-store.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Great for custom-blended exact-match formulas that account for specific tri-coats and metallic flakes used by Tesla.

How to use touch-up paint

Achieving a professional-looking repair at home requires patience and the right process. Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Clean: Thoroughly wash the damaged area using dish soap and water to remove wax, grease, and dirt. Follow up with a wax and grease remover or rubbing alcohol.
2. Primer: If the scratch goes down to the bare metal or plastic, apply a thin layer of automotive primer. Let it dry completely.
3. Base Coat: Apply the color base coat in very light, thin layers using a fine-tipped brush or a toothpick for tiny rock chips. Allow 10 to 15 minutes of drying time between each coat. Build the paint up until it is just slightly below the level of the surrounding original paint.
4. Clear Coat: Once the base coat is completely dry (wait at least 30-60 minutes), apply the clear coat. The clear coat protects the paint and provides a glossy finish.
5. Polish: After curing for a few days, use a mild rubbing compound to gently blend the edges of the repair, followed by automotive polish and wax.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Tesla is famous for its stunning multi-coat colors, like Pearl White Multi-Coat (PPSW) and Red Multi-Coat (PPMR). These tri-coat finishes consist of a base color, a translucent pearl mid-coat, and a protective clear coat.

Matching these finishes can be exceptionally tricky. The final color is heavily influenced by how many layers of the pearl mid-coat are applied. When doing touch-ups on a tri-coat:

• Practice first: Test the paint on a piece of scrap metal or heavy cardboard. Apply the base, then experiment with one, two, or three layers of the mid-coat to see which matches your car best.
• Less is more: It is easy to apply too much mid-coat, which will make the repair look darker or more yellow/pink than the surrounding area.
• Accept limitations: Perfecting a tri-coat repair with a brush or pen is nearly impossible. Small chips will look much better from a distance, but larger repairs may require professional blending.

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