2023 Toyota Tundra — Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

If you need to fix a scratch, rock chip, or scuff on your 2023 Toyota Tundra, knowing your exact factory paint code is the first step to achieving a flawless repair. Using the correct paint code ensures your touch-up paint perfectly matches your truck's original factory finish.

Below is a complete guide to the 2023 Toyota Tundra paint colors, where to find your paint code, and how to apply touch-up paint for professional-looking results.

Quick reference: 2023 Toyota Tundra Paint Codes

Here is the complete list of factory colors offered for the 2023 Toyota Tundra. Always verify your specific code on your truck’s compliance label before ordering paint.

Where to find your paint code

Toyota makes it relatively easy to locate your exact paint code. For the 2023 Toyota Tundra, the paint code is located on the vehicle's compliance label (also known as the VIN sticker).

1. Open the driver's side door.
2. Locate the black and white compliance sticker on the door jamb (the pillar where the door latches).
3. Look towards the bottom left of the sticker for the letters C/TR (which stands for Color/Trim).
4. The three-character alphanumeric code immediately following "C/" is your paint code (e.g., C/TR: 1G3/FA20 means your paint code is 1G3 - Magnetic Gray Metallic).

If your sticker is missing or illegible, you can call any Toyota dealership parts department, provide them with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and they will be able to look up your exact paint code.

Best touch-up paint sources

When it comes to sourcing the right paint, you have several reliable options:

• Your Local Toyota Dealer: The best place for OEM paint pens and small brush bottles. Dealer paint is formulated to match the factory specifications precisely.
• AutomotiveTouchup: Highly recommended for custom-mixed paint in larger quantities. They offer exact match paints in spray cans, pints, and quarts, which is ideal if you are repainting a larger section like a bumper.
• Dupli-Color: A readily available option found at most local auto parts stores. They offer the "Perfect Match" line in both aerosol and 2-in-1 paint pens, great for quick, minor fixes.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: An excellent online source for custom-mixed automotive paints, providing comprehensive kits that include primer, base coat, and clear coat tailored to your Tundra's exact code.

How to use touch-up paint

For minor scratches and rock chips, following the correct process will yield a seamless repair:

1. Clean and Prep: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Use a wax and grease remover (or rubbing alcohol) to clean out the scratch or chip. The surface must be completely free of dirt and wax.
2. Apply Primer: If the scratch goes all the way down to bare metal or plastic, apply a light coat of primer using a fine-tipped brush or toothpick. Let it dry completely.
3. Apply Base Coat: Shake your paint pen or bottle thoroughly. Apply the color base coat in very thin layers. It is better to apply three thin coats than one thick, gloppy coat. Allow 15-20 minutes of drying time between each layer.
4. Apply Clear Coat: Once the base coat is fully dry (usually wait at least an hour), apply a layer of clear coat. The clear coat protects the paint and restores the factory shine.
5. Polish: After the clear coat has cured (usually 2-3 days), use a mild rubbing compound to gently blend the touch-up into the surrounding paint, followed by automotive wax.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

If your Tundra is painted in a complex color like Wind Chill Pearl (089) or Supersonic Red (3U5), you are dealing with a tri-coat finish. These require a specific three-step application process: a solid base coat, a translucent pearl mid-coat, and a final clear coat.

When touching up tri-coats, it's very easy to make the repair look too dark or mismatched if you apply too much pearl mid-coat. Always practice on a piece of scrap metal or cardboard first to gauge how many layers of pearl are needed to match your truck's factory hue. For larger areas of damage on metallic or pearl colors, blending into the adjacent panels is highly recommended.

If the damage is too extensive for a DIY fix, don't risk a botched paint job. Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.