Tesla Model 3 Touch Up Paint: How to Choose the Right One

A small scratch or paint chip on a Tesla Model 3 does not always require a body shop. For minor paint damage, a touch-up paint pen can be a practical DIY option. The important part is choosing the right paint for the damaged area and matching the correct color code.

For Model 3 owners, the choice usually comes down to three questions: Is the damage on the car body or the wheel? What is the vehicle's paint code? And do you need a simple paint pen or a more complete repair kit?

How to Choose the Right Tesla Model 3 Touch Up Paint

Check Where the Damage Is

Start by looking at where the paint is damaged.

If the scratch or chip is on a painted body panel, such as a door, fender, hood, trunk, or bumper, you need car body touch-up paint.

If the damage is on the painted wheel itself, such as curb rash or a chipped wheel finish, you need wheel or rim touch-up paint instead. These products use different color-matching information because Tesla wheels have their own wheel paint codes.

Do not choose a wheel paint simply because its color looks close to your car's body paint. For example, a Model 3 with a black body may have a wheel that uses a completely different finish and paint code.

Also consider the size of the damage. Touch-up paint is most suitable for minor chips and scratches. Larger scratches, fractures, dents, or damage that affects a large area may need professional repair rather than a touch-up pen.

Check Your Tesla Model 3 Paint Code

Once you know that the damage is on the car body, check the paint code before ordering.

Tesla's service information lists different codes for Model 3 paint colors and finishes. For example, PBSB is Solid Black, PMNG is Midnight Silver Metallic, PPSB is Deep Blue Metallic, and PPSW is Pearl White Multi-Coat. Some colors also use metallic or multi-coat finishes, so choosing by a general color name such as "gray" or "white" is not enough.

For current Model 3 vehicles, Tesla says the vehicle paint code can be found in Car Details and may also appear on a vehicle label. This is more reliable than trying to identify the exact shade by looking at the car alone.

Before buying a touch-up product, compare the code on your vehicle with the available paint-code options. This is especially important if you have a less common color or a newer Model 3.

Read More: Tesla Model 3 Paint Colors: Complete Color Guide and Paint Codes

Match the Paint to the Type of Damage

The product format also matters.

A paint pen is convenient for small chips, narrow scratches, and other small areas where you need controlled application. A repair kit can make more sense when you need additional applicators or tools for the repair.

For wheel damage, look for a product specifically made for the wheel finish. Some wheel touch-up products are selected by wheel model and size rather than by the vehicle body paint code.

The goal is not to find one touch-up product that works for every Model 3. It is to match the product, paint code, and damaged surface.

Tesla Model 3 Car Body Touch Up Paint

If you need touch-up paint for a Model 3 body scratch or paint chip, the first step is to match your car's color. Among the available options, the Model 3 2017+ Car Body Touch-Up Paint – Exact OEM Factory Body Color Paint Match is a practical choice because it offers separate paint options for several Model 3 colors, including Solid Black, Midnight Silver Metallic, Deep Blue Metallic, and Pearl White Multi-Coat.

Here is the easiest way to find the right option for your Model 3:

Tesla Model 3 Black Touch Up Paint

For a black Model 3, choose the PBSB (Solid Black) option of the Model 3 2017+ Car Body Touch-Up Paint.

This option is made for the Model 3's Solid Black body color and is a good fit for small paint chips and scratches on painted body panels. You do not need to choose a separate product just because your car is black—the correct PBSB option is available in this body touch-up paint.

Tesla Model 3 Pearl White Touch Up Paint

For a Pearl White Model 3, choose the PPSW (Pearl White Multi-Coat) option of the Model 3 2017+ Car Body Touch-Up Paint.

This is the option to use when your Model 3 has Pearl White Multi-Coat paint and needs a small body paint repair. Because Pearl White is a multi-coat finish, matching the correct paint option is especially important.

Tesla Model 3 Blue Touch Up Paint

For a Model 3 with Deep Blue Metallic, choose the PPSB (Deep Blue Metallic) option of the Model 3 2017+ Car Body Touch-Up Paint.

This gives you a direct match to the Deep Blue Metallic option instead of having to choose from a generic blue paint. The same product also offers other blue options for applicable Tesla colors, so check your vehicle's paint code before ordering if your Model 3 is a different shade of blue.

Tesla Model 3 Midnight Silver Metallic Touch Up Paint

For Midnight Silver Metallic, choose the PMNG (Midnight Silver Metallic) option of the Model 3 2017+ Car Body Touch-Up Paint.

This option is made for the PMNG color and is intended for small scratches and paint chips on the Model 3's body. It is a better choice than using a generic silver or gray touch-up paint because the product lets you select the specific PMNG color.

Tesla Model 3 Wheel and Rim Touch Up Paint

If the damage is on your Model 3 wheel rather than the car body, choose a wheel-specific touch-up paint. The right product depends on your wheel design, size, and finish.

For most Model 3 wheels, the Wheel Rims Touch Up Paint for Tesla Model 3 is the main option to consider. It has color and wheel selections for Aero 18", Photon 18", Gemini 19", Stiletto 19", Nova 19", Stiletto 20", Uberturbine 20", and Zero-G 20" wheels. This makes it useful when you know your wheel model and want to select the matching finish.

The standard Model 3 wheel touch-up product offers several wheel-specific choices in one product, including the wheel design and matching color. For 2024+ Model 3 Highland owners, the dedicated wheel paint pen covers the 18" Photon, 19" Nova, and 20" Performance Wrap options, with matching colors for each.

If you have a small curb rash, scratch, or chipped area on the painted wheel, choose the product that matches your exact wheel. The wheel touch-up products use a fine-tip brush or applicator for small repairs, so you can apply paint to the damaged area without covering a large part of the wheel.

One important point: wheel rim paint is for the wheel itself, not the plastic wheel cover. If the damage is on a wheel cover, do not choose a rim paint just because the color looks similar.

Which Tesla Model 3 Touch Up Paint Should You Choose?

Use the table below as a quick way to narrow down the options:

For most small body scratches and chips, start with the paint code and then choose a matching body touch-up pen. The Model 3 2017+ body paint option, for example, is available in several paint-code choices including PBSB, PMNG, PPSB, PMSS, PPSW, PPMR, PR01, PN01, and PB02.

For wheel damage, start with the wheel model and size instead. A Model 3 wheel touch-up option includes selections for Aero 18", Photon 18", Gemini 19", Stiletto 19", Nova 19", Stiletto 20", Uberturbine 20", and Zero-G 20", with the corresponding wheel finishes.

This approach is more reliable than choosing a product based only on the Model 3 model name.

How to Use Tesla Model 3 Touch Up Paint

Once you have the right paint for your Model 3, proper application can help keep the repair small and neat. Watch the video below to see how to repair scratches on a Tesla, then follow the steps to apply the touch-up paint to your damaged area. 

Clean the Damaged Area

Wash the area first and remove dirt, grease, and other surface contamination. The surface should be clean and dry before applying paint.

Tesla recommends using a touch-up pen after washing the vehicle and before polishing or waxing.

Apply the Touch Up Paint

Shake the paint according to the product instructions. For a pen-style product, apply a small amount directly to the damaged area.

Do not try to cover a deep or wide scratch with one thick layer. Controlled application is easier, especially around small chips.

Let It Dry and Check the Repair

Allow the paint to dry according to the product instructions. Once dry, check the repaired area from different angles.

Metallic and multi-coat colors can look different depending on lighting and viewing angle, so do not judge the color match from only one position.

Add Another Thin Coat if Needed

If the damaged area still needs more coverage, add another thin coat rather than applying a large amount at once.

The goal is to build up the damaged area gradually while keeping the repaired spot as small and controlled as possible.

Read More: Tesla Model 3 Paint Repair: How to Fix Scratches and Paint Chips