My SF is white with the standard grey lower trim- I believe it is grey on most two-tone models. I picked up touch-up paint from the dealer based on the vehicle paint codes. The white matches perfectly, however the grey touch-up is much darker than the existing grey. I also notice that no matter how long you let it dry, when you go over it with the clear coat is rubs off on the clear coat touch-up applicator tip. Any one use any other color or have any suggestions?

I believe that there are actually 3 colors : silver, dark gray and light gray. Give me a few hours and I can look it up for you.

Ok, there are actually FOUR different color codes for the lower cladding. The part numbers and colors are as follows:

Cool Gray
Paint code: HC
Paint pen part #00284-02000-HC

Warm Gray
Paint code: GL
Paint pen part #00284-02000-GL

Light Silver
Paint code: PE
Paint pen part #00284-02000-PE

Mauve Gray
Paint code: XA
Paint pen part #00284-02003-XA

From experience I will tell you that it's probably either Light Silver or Cool Gray. I have never sold either of the other two paint pens.

2006 and older Santa Fe paint codes are actually two codes in one. The paint code that is on the info plate inside the driver's door isn't your actual paint code. We have a chart that we use to take your one paint code and translate it into the actual upper and lower paint codes. If you can tell me what the paint code is on your vehicle info plate, I can translate it for you and tell you which paint pen you SHOULD have gotten for the lower cladding.

Okay, I just re-read your post and looked at the chart again. Nordic White was only offered with the Light Silver lower cladding, so your upper paint code should be NW and your lower paint code should be PE.

I'd be willing to bet that they sold you the HC paint pen, which is the darker gray.

Lilbean, thank you. You know I never looked at the code on the pens, not smart. I just assumed they were correct.
My paint code is NU and the trim code is YD.
What they gave me was 00284--02000-NW 050107
and 00284-02000-PE 041007

Do you know if pens are available in those colors? By the way it is a 2004 LX.

Thank you!

The trim code is the interior color code for your vehicle. That doesn't refer to the lower exterior cladding paint code.

If they gave you a PE paint pen, then that should be the right color for the lower cladding. I don't understand why it would be darker, unless it is mis-labeled.

I have attached the paint code "decoding" chart that is provided to us. Look for your paint code (NU) on the left, and it will translate that into the two separate (upper and lower colors) paint codes for you, and then further translate that into paint pen part numbers. Maybe a moderator could sticky it in the 1G Santa Fe forum... :innocent:

Thanks Lilbean for checking into the code and explaining the cladding color. I'm going to play with it a bit more. It does appear to be light related to some extent. In bright light it seems to match a bit better than in more subdued light.

Even if you get the right color coded paint it won't match well. I have a 2004 dark blue. I tried all bottom colors available. I had to buy the closest two in color and blend them. The service guy said it was a known issue. At least he gave me the second pen for free. The blue paint is a perfect match.