Nissan Med Red (XFY) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This is a rare bird in the Nissan lineup, showing up exclusively on the 2021 Kicks before disappearing. It serves as a pure, athletic red that gives your crossover a sporty edge without the darker, more mature tones of a burgundy or the orange-leaning look of a fire engine. Because your Kicks is still relatively new, your paint likely hasn't suffered the heavy oxidation or fading that older vehicles face, making this a straightforward project. It is a bold, confident color that defines the personality of the car.

Technical Details

You are working with a solid finish, which is excellent news for a DIY repair. Unlike complex pearls that require perfect lighting to see the flop, this paint is all about pigment and depth. The lack of metallic flakes means you don't have to worry about "mottling"-those dark, uneven stripes that happen when particles clump together. However, solid reds are notorious for showing every speck of dust and every tiny scratch, so your prep work in the garage or the shade needs to be immaculate.

Best Practices

Your paint code is printed on a silver plate found on the driver's side door jamb, usually near the bottom of the B-pillar. Before you apply Nissan Med Red (verify that your sticker shows code XFY), you need to shake the container vigorously for at least sixty seconds to ensure the heavy red pigments are fully mixed. Do not skip the prep; test the color on the included card to confirm the match against your existing finish. When you start, keep the container moving across the surface to prevent the paint from pooling or running. Apply thin, even layers and allow for plenty of drying time between each coat to ensure a professional, level surface.