Toyota Tercel Touch Up Paint (87 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Toyota really used the Tercel as a canvas for the "optimistic" palette of the 80s and 90s. With a staggering 96 colors recorded over its lifespan, they moved well beyond the basics. While you'll find plenty of Super White 2 and Silver Metallic, they also got adventurous with gems like Wild Mint Metallic, Magenta Pearl, and the very-90s Sierra Green Pearl Metallic. They even leaned into the two-tone trend for those who couldn't decide on just one shade. Whether yours is a sensible beige or a "look at me" purple, the Tercel wears its history on its sleeve.

What to Watch For

Before you start dabbing on that paint, you need to find your match. You'll typically find the 3-digit paint code on a sticker or metal plate in the driver's side door jamb-look for the letters "C/TR" (Color/Trim). If your Tercel is a vintage 80s model and it's not there, check the firewall under the hood.

In terms of aging, these cars are known for "sun-burn" on the horizontal surfaces. If your hood or roof looks like it's shedding a winter coat, that's clear coat delamination. Also, if you have one of the classic Toyota reds, you might notice it has turned a charming shade of salmon or pink over the decades. Don't worry-the metal underneath is usually still solid; it's just the top layer that's tired from years of service.

Driveway Repair Tip

Because so many Tercel colors are metallics or pearls, your biggest secret weapon is a good workout: shake that touch-up bottle for at least 60 full seconds. The tiny metallic flakes like to settle at the bottom, and if you don't wake them up, your "Metallic Blue" will just look like "Flat Blue."

When applying, remember that Toyota factory paint was notoriously thin. Instead of trying to fill a chip with one big "glob" to match the depth of the surrounding paint, apply two or three paper-thin layers, waiting about 15 minutes between each. This prevents the paint from sagging and gives you a much smoother finish that won't stand out like a sore thumb in the sunlight.