2017 Toyota Tacoma Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Finding the exact paint match for your 2017 Toyota Tacoma is essential for keeping your truck looking pristine, whether you're covering up trail pinstripes, rock chips from the highway, or parking lot dings. This guide provides a complete list of factory paint codes, tells you exactly where to find your truck's specific code, and offers expert tips on making a seamless touch-up repair.

Quick reference: 2017 Toyota Tacoma Paint Codes

Below is the complete list of factory colors offered for the 2017 Toyota Tacoma. Always verify your specific paint code before ordering any touch-up products.

Note: If you are uncertain about your truck's color, use your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) at your local Toyota dealer or through a trusted paint supplier to confirm the exact match.

Where to find your paint code

Toyota makes it relatively simple to find your factory paint code. For the 2017 Tacoma, you will need to locate the manufacturer’s certification label (a black, white, and yellow sticker) located inside the driver’s side door jamb.

Open the driver's door and look at the B-pillar (the vertical post where the door latches) or the bottom edge of the door frame. Towards the bottom of this sticker, look for the letters "C/TR" which stands for Color and Trim. The first three characters immediately following "C/TR" represent your paint code. For example, if it says C/TR: 1G3/FC14, your paint code is 1G3 (Magnetic Gray Metallic).

Best touch-up paint sources

Once you have your paint code, you have several reliable options for purchasing touch-up paint:

• Toyota Dealerships: The safest bet for an exact factory match, especially for newer vehicles. Dealerships sell OEM touch-up pens and small brush bottles that include base coat and sometimes clear coat.
• AutomotiveTouchup: Highly recommended by automotive enthusiasts, they offer custom-mixed aerosol sprays, touch-up pens, and pints/quarts for larger spray gun jobs. They are excellent for exact color matching.
• Dupli-Color: A widely available and cost-effective option found in most auto parts stores. Dupli-Color offers "Perfect Match" aerosol cans and touch-up pens, which are great for common solid colors like Super White.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Another great online retailer that specializes in precise custom-mixed paints based on your OEM paint code.

How to use touch-up paint

Achieving a professional-looking repair takes a little patience and the right technique. Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Clean: Thoroughly wash the damaged area with soap and water. Follow up with a wax and grease remover or rubbing alcohol to ensure no contaminants prevent the paint from adhering properly.
2. Primer (if necessary): If the scratch or chip goes all the way down to 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-matched base coat in light, thin layers. Do not try to fill the chip in one go, as this will lead to a glob of paint. Allow 10-15 minutes of drying time between each coat. Build the color until it is flush with the surrounding paint.
4. Clear Coat: The base coat provides the color, but the clear coat provides the gloss and UV protection. Once the base coat is fully dry, apply 2-3 thin layers of clear coat, allowing proper drying time between layers.
5. Polish: After the clear coat has cured for a few days, you can use a light rubbing compound to blend the edges and restore a mirror-like shine.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Colors like Blazing Blue Pearl (8T0) contain specialized mica flakes that give the paint a sparkling, multi-dimensional look. When working with pearls and metallics:

• Shake well: Metallic flakes settle quickly. Vigorously shake your touch-up pen or spray can before and during application to ensure an even distribution of the metallic particles.
• Temperature matters: Apply paint in a shaded area when the ambient temperature is between 70°F and 80°F. High humidity or extreme temperatures can alter how the metallic flakes lay down, changing the final color appearance.
• Test first: Always test the paint on a piece of cardboard or scrap metal before applying it to your truck to ensure the color and finish match your expectations.

If your paint damage goes beyond a simple touch-up job or you have a large panel that needs respraying, professional help is the best route. Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.