2019 Toyota Highlander Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Whether you are looking to fix a minor scratch from a stray shopping cart or planning a larger bumper repair, getting the exact paint match for your 2019 Toyota Highlander is critical. Fortunately, Toyota makes identifying your exact factory finish straightforward.

Below is a complete guide to finding your Highlander’s paint code, sourcing the right touch-up materials, and getting professional-looking results in your own garage.

Quick reference

Here are the factory paint color options available for the 2019 Toyota Highlander. Always verify your specific code on your vehicle before ordering paint, as subtle mid-year changes can occur.

Color Name	Paint Code	Type
Blizzard Pearl	070	Pearl (Tri-coat)
Celestial Silver Metallic	1J9	Metallic
Magnetic Gray Metallic	1G3	Metallic
Midnight Black Metallic	218	Metallic
Salsa Red Pearl	3Q3	Pearl
Ooh La La Rouge Mica	3T0	Pearl / Mica
Toasted Walnut Pearl	4W5	Pearl
Alumina Jade Metallic	6W4	Metallic
Shoreline Blue Pearl	8V5	Pearl

Note: If you are uncertain about your specific color, confirm via your VIN at a local Toyota dealership or authorized paint supplier.

Where to find your paint code

Toyota keeps things incredibly consistent when it comes to paint code locations. To find the exact color of your 2019 Highlander, open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb (the B-pillar).

Look for the Vehicle Certification Label (a sticker that contains the VIN, barcode, and tire pressure information). Toward the bottom left of this sticker, look for the letters "C/TR" which stands for Color and Trim.

The paint code is the three-character alphanumeric code immediately following the "C/". For example, if it says "C/TR: 1G3/LA20", your paint code is 1G3 (Magnetic Gray Metallic).

Best touch-up paint sources

Once you have your paint code, you have a few excellent options for sourcing your touch-up paint:

• Your Local Toyota Dealer: The OEM choice. Dealerships sell factory-matched paint pens and small brush bottles that are perfect for rock chips. This is often the safest bet for a perfect match on a newer vehicle.
• AutomotiveTouchup: Highly recommended for larger jobs, this supplier mixes exact factory colors in varying sizes—from small bottles and paint pens to aerosol spray cans and ready-to-spray pints for spray guns.
• Dupli-Color: A staple in auto parts stores. They offer the popular "Scratch Fix All-in-1" tools that include an abrasive tip, paint, and clear coat. Availability for specific 2019 Highlander colors (like Alumina Jade) may be hit or miss in-store.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Great for difficult-to-match metallics and pearls, these custom-mix touch-up kits often come with specialized blending solutions to help the new paint level out perfectly with the factory clear coat.

How to use touch-up paint

For minor chips and scratches, following the correct process ensures a lasting repair that won't flake off after a car wash:

1. Clean: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, then wipe it down with a wax and grease remover (or rubbing alcohol) to ensure no oils or dirt remain in the scratch.
2. Primer: If the scratch goes down to the bare metal or plastic, apply a light coat of automotive primer. Let it dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Base Coat: Apply the color coat in light, thin layers using a fine-tipped brush, toothpick, or paint pen. Do not glob the paint on. Allow 15-20 minutes of drying time between each coat until the color covers the primer entirely.
4. Clear Coat: Once the base coat is completely dry (usually after 30-60 minutes), apply the clear coat. The clear coat provides the UV protection and the glossy finish that matches the rest of the car.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

If your 2019 Highlander is painted in Blizzard Pearl (070), you have a tri-coat paint finish. Tri-coats are notoriously tricky to touch up because they require a three-step process: a solid white base coat, a translucent pearl mid-coat, and a final clear coat.

When touching up tri-coats, practice on a piece of scrap metal or cardboard first. The number of pearl mid-coats you apply dictates the final color. Too few coats will look too bright and white; too many will look yellow or dark. Apply the mid-coat in very thin layers and compare it to your vehicle's paint in natural sunlight before applying the final clear coat.

For metallics (like Celestial Silver or Midnight Black), ensure you shake the paint bottle or pen vigorously before and during application so the metallic flakes are evenly distributed.

If the damage is too large for a touch-up pen or aerosol can, or if you are struggling with a complex tri-coat finish, professional help is the way to go. Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.