COLOR CODE42A - GraphiteToyota Touch-Up Paint

The Look

If you are driving a Yaris or the sleek Yaris iA from the late twenty-teens, you likely know this color well. It transformed those nimble subcompacts into something that looked far more expensive than the window sticker suggested. This is a deep, moody gray that strikes a balance between a classic charcoal and a modern industrial slate. It handles the daily grind well, hiding a fair amount of road grime and light dust, but because the tone is so rich, it will show every tiny door ding or stone chip once the sun hits it. Since your car has likely seen a few years of highway miles, you might notice the original paint has a specific depth that makes a fresh touch-up stand out if you aren't careful with your application.

Technical Details

This finish is a metallic, which means it is packed with tiny flakes designed to reflect light from different angles. This makes the surface dynamic, but it also creates a challenge for a home repair. If those flakes do not settle correctly, the patch can look darker or lighter than the surrounding panel, a problem known as mottling. Before you spray or dab Toyota Graphite (check for code 42A), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds to get those heavy metallic particles off the bottom. If you apply the paint too thick, the flakes will sink and the color will lose its metallic "pop," leaving you with a flat, dark spot.

Best Practices

You will find your color code on the white identification sticker located on the driver's side door jamb. Once you have confirmed the match, move the car into the garage or a well-lit patch of shade to ensure the metal isn't hot to the touch. Test the color on the included card first to see how the flakes settle and how the shade reacts to your specific lighting. Whether you are using a nozzle or a brush, keep the container moving to ensure the mixture stays consistent. Apply two or three very thin layers, allowing plenty of drying time between each one, rather than trying to hide the damage in a single pass.