2020 Toyota Tacoma Paint Color Codes

Quick reference

Where to find your paint code

For your 2020 Toyota Tacoma, the paint code is typically located on the driver's side door jamb. Open the driver's door and look for a sticker or label on the B-pillar (the vertical post between the front and rear doors) or on the edge of the door itself. The label will contain various vehicle information, and often the paint code will be listed under a "C/TR" heading, which stands for "Color/Trim." It's a short alphanumeric code, usually three characters long.

Best touch-up paint sources

When it comes to touching up minor scratches or chips on your 2020 Toyota Tacoma, several reputable sources offer color-matched paint.

• Dupli-Color: A widely available brand that offers touch-up pens, paint bottles with brushes, and aerosol cans. You can often find Dupli-Color products at auto parts stores and online. Be sure to check their website or use their store finder to ensure you get the correct code for your Tacoma.
• AutomotiveTouchup: This company specializes in custom-mixed automotive paint. They offer a comprehensive range of products, including touch-up bottles, pens, aerosol cans, and larger quantities for more extensive repairs. Their paints are custom-mixed to your factory code, often providing a very accurate match.
• Tcoat custom-mix: Tcoat also provides custom-mixed touch-up paints, often lauded for their quality and color accuracy. They can be a great option for hard-to-match colors or if you prefer a more tailored solution.
• Dealership: Your local Toyota dealership parts department can also provide touch-up paint specifically matched to your Tacoma's VIN. This can be a good option for ensuring the most accurate match, especially for newer vehicles.

How to use touch-up paint

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

1. Clean the area: Thoroughly clean the chipped or scratched area with soap and water, then an automotive degreaser or rubbing alcohol. Ensure it's completely dry before proceeding.
2. Apply primer (if needed): For deeper scratches that expose bare metal or plastic, apply a thin layer of automotive primer. Allow it to dry completely according to product instructions.
3. Apply base coat: Shake your touch-up paint thoroughly. Apply thin, even coats of the base color, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. Build up the paint gradually to match the surrounding surface level.
4. Apply clear coat: Once the base coat is dry, apply a clear coat. This protects the paint and provides a glossy finish. Again, apply thin layers and allow adequate drying time between coats.
5. Wet sand and polish (optional): For a more seamless finish, especially on larger repairs, you can carefully wet sand the area with very fine-grit sandpaper (2000-3000 grit) after the clear coat has fully cured, then polish to blend. Exercise caution to avoid sanding through the clear coat or surrounding factory paint.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

While the 2020 Toyota Tacoma does not extensively feature pearl or tri-coat finishes, it does offer several metallic paints. Metallic colors can be more challenging to match perfectly because the metallic flakes in the paint need to align correctly to reflect light in the same way as the factory finish.

When working with metallic paints:

• Apply thin coats: This helps the metallic flakes distribute more evenly.
• Observe in different lighting: The color can appear different under sunlight versus shade or artificial light. Check your touch-up work in various conditions.
• Consider a test spot: If possible, test the touch-up paint on an inconspicuous area or a test card to ensure the color match before applying it to the visible repair.

If you have a pearl or tri-coat finish on a different vehicle (it's uncommon for this specific Tacoma, but good to know for general painting knowledge), these paints have multiple layers (base color, pearl mid-coat, clear coat) that contribute to their unique depth and shimmer. Matching these colors often requires even more meticulous application and can be more difficult for a do-it-yourself repair. In such cases, professional assistance might be the best option.

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