2018 Toyota Tundra Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Whether you're fixing a minor parking lot scratch or planning to repaint a replacement fender, getting the right paint for your truck is essential. The 2018 Toyota Tundra was offered in a variety of rugged and stylish colors, ranging from classic solids to deep, shimmering metallic and pearl finishes. This guide will help you identify your exact paint code, locate the label on your truck, and get the right touch-up paint for a flawless repair.

Quick reference

Here is a list of the factory colors offered for the 2018 Toyota Tundra. Always verify your specific code before ordering paint.

(Note: If you are uncertain about your specific color, confirm via your VIN at a local Toyota dealer or trusted paint supplier.)

Where to find your paint code

Finding the exact paint code on a 2018 Toyota Tundra is straightforward if you know where to look. Toyota places a standardized vehicle identification sticker on the driver’s side door jamb (the B-pillar).

1. Open the driver’s side door.
2. Look for a black and white (or sometimes silver) factory sticker on the door latch pillar or the edge of the door itself.
3. Locate the barcode at the bottom of the sticker.
4. Just below or next to the barcode, look for the letters C/TR (which stands for Color/Trim).
5. The first three characters following "C/TR" are your truck's exterior paint code. For example, if it says C/TR: 1G3/FC10, your paint code is 1G3 (Magnetic Gray Metallic).

Best touch-up paint sources

Once you have your code, you need high-quality paint. Here are the best places to source touch-up paint for your Tundra:

• Your Local Toyota Dealer: For the absolute best match out of the bottle, OEM Toyota touch-up pens and small brush bottles are highly recommended, especially for standard solids like Super White (040).
• AutomotiveTouchup: A fantastic source for precise custom-mixed spray cans, paint pens, and pint/quart sizes. They are highly reliable for metallic and pearl colors like Blazing Blue Pearl.
• Dupli-Color: Available at most local auto parts stores (like AutoZone or O'Reilly). They offer Exact-Match pens and aerosols that are great for quick, budget-friendly fixes.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Another premium online provider that mixes paint to order, ensuring your Tundra's specific shade is matched perfectly, accounting for the natural variance in factory batches.

How to use touch-up paint

For the best results when repairing chips and deep scratches, follow these essential steps:

1. Clean: Thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water. Use a wax and grease remover or rubbing alcohol to ensure the spot is completely free of dirt, oil, and old wax.
2. Primer: If the scratch goes down to the bare metal or plastic, apply a thin layer of automotive primer. Let it dry completely before proceeding.
3. Base Coat: Apply the color (base coat) in light, even layers. If using a pen or brush, dab the paint into the chip rather than brushing it. Allow 15–20 minutes of drying time between each coat until the chip is filled.
4. Clear Coat: The clear coat protects the paint and provides the glossy finish. Apply clear coat over the dried base coat, blending it slightly over the edges of the repair. Once cured, you can use a mild rubbing compound to polish the repair flush with the surrounding paint.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Matching metallic and pearl finishes (like Sunset Bronze Mica or Blazing Blue Pearl) can be notoriously tricky. These paints contain microscopic metal flakes or reflective mica crystals that change appearance based on how they lay during application.

• Test first: Always spray or brush a test card before applying paint to your truck. This allows you to check the color match and practice your application technique.
• Mind the temperature: Apply paint in a controlled environment (ideally between 70°F and 80°F with low humidity). Cold or humid conditions can cause metallics to streak or mottle.
• Tri-coats require patience: If your paint is a tri-coat (requiring a base color, a translucent pearl mid-coat, and a clear coat), you must carefully build up the mid-coat. The more mid-coat you apply, the darker and deeper the pearl effect becomes. Compare your test card to the truck after every single mid-coat layer.

If a repair is too large for a touch-up pen or rattle can, or if you simply want a flawless, factory-level finish, it's best to leave it to the professionals. Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.