Isabella Flores
GM paint codes can be difficult to find and decipher due to their complex and inconsistent format. The paint code is usually located on a colour identification plate, sticker, decal, or stamped into the body of the car. It can be found anywhere on the vehicle, depending on the make and model, but common places include the driver's door jamb, under the hood, or near the spare tire. The code may be preceded by BC/CC, indicating Basecoat/Clearcoat, and followed by a letter indicating the Upper or Lower Colour on two-tone vehicles. To find the exact paint code and colour, it is recommended to search for the complete code online or refer to the service history and owner's manual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a GM paint code plate? | A color identification plate that contains the vehicle color code, which describes the color exactly. |
| Where is the color code plate located? | This depends on the make and model of the vehicle. Common places include the driver's door jamb, under the hood, or near the spare tire. |
| How to read the code? | The code may be embossed in the middle of the sticker. It may include a combination of letters and numbers, such as "U" or "L" to indicate upper or lower color, respectively. It may also include BC CC before the color code, which stands for Basecoat/Clearcoat. |
| Additional tips | If the code is challenging to find or unreadable, use a VIN decoder tool, contact the vehicle manufacturer, or consult automotive paint specialists. |
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What You'll Learn
GM's paint colour code system is complex
The General Motors (GM) paint colour code system is complex. Firstly, it is not always easy to locate the colour identification plate. While some car manufacturers place the code in odd places, others have a unique code format. For instance, Audi hides its colour code underneath the trunk carpet in the spare tire compartment, while Bentley owners should look under the hood, the door hinge, the door jamb, or inside the trunk.
Secondly, GM's paint colour codes themselves are complex. For example, the colour code 96/WA8867 listed on our site can be shown on your vehicle as: 96U 96L 8867 WA8867 8867L 8867U. There is also a lot of variety in the codes. For instance, the complete code for GM's "Gold Mist Metallic" paint is B/C 51/WA316N/GAO.
Thirdly, GM's paint colour code system can be confusing. For instance, there may be a BC CC before the colour code, which stands for Basecoat/Clearcoat. Two-tone vehicles will have each colour coded, i.e. 96U and 36L.
Therefore, given the complexity of GM's paint colour code system, the easiest way to find the exact paint code and colour for your GM vehicle is to simply Google the complete colour code, rather than trying to dissect and decode the code itself. Alternatively, you can find the paint code on the VIN plate and the VIN on the dashboard (under the windshield).
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You can find the colour code on the VIN plate
All cars have a colour identification plate, which contains the car colour code. This plate can be located anywhere on the car, depending on the make and model. For instance, for an Acura/Honda, the colour ID plate is on the driver's door jamb, whereas for a BMW, it is usually underneath the hood by the strut towers.
You can also find the colour code in your service history and your owner's manual. Taking the time to write down your colour code makes it easy to find the correct paint match for your car.
If you are unable to locate the colour identification plate, you can try looking up your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on your car title, insurance papers, vehicle registration certificate, or car repair records. The VIN is a 17-character code that includes a combination of letters and numbers. Once you have the VIN, you can contact your car dealer to ask for the paint code.
Alternatively, you can use the VIN to decode the paint code yourself. You can use the VIN to search for the paint code online.
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The VIN is usually located on the dashboard
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is usually located on the dashboard of a car. This number can be used to find the exact paint code and colour for your vehicle.
The VIN can be used to decode the paint code for your car, which is vital when selecting the right colour for your car, especially when touching up the paint. All cars have a colour identification plate, which will make locating your car's colour code easy. This code can be found anywhere on the car, depending on the make and model. It is usually located on a plate, sticker, decal, or stamped into the body.
Common places to find the colour code include the driver's door jamb, under the hood, in the trunk, or in the spare tire compartment. It may also be found in your service history and owner's manual.
GM has a confusing colour code system, so it is often easier to Google the complete colour code rather than trying to dissect and decode it. For example, the colour code "96/WA8867" can be shown on your vehicle as "96U", "96L", "8867", "WA8867", "8867L", or "8867U". The "U" in the paint code means the upper colour, and the "L" means the lower colour. So, for two-tone vehicles, each colour will be coded, for example, "96U" and "36L".
It is important to find your vehicle's colour code to guarantee the accuracy of the paint colour.
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Two-tone vehicles have two colour codes
General Motors (GM) has a confusing colour code system. The U in the paint code means the Upper Colour, and the L means the Lower Colour. Two-tone vehicles will have two colour codes, for example, 96U and 36L. It could also be 8867L or 8834U.
The colour code can be found on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate, or the VIN on the dashboard (usually under the windshield). It can also be found on the colour identification plate, which can be located anywhere on the car, depending on the make and model. Common places to find the colour code include the driver's door jamb, under the hood, the trunk, or inside the spare tire compartment.
If you are unsure, you can always Google the complete colour code or the paint code followed by "GM paint colour".
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You can use a VIN decoder tool to find the code
While it is possible to find your GM paint code without using your VIN, using a VIN decoder tool is a quick and easy way to find the right shade and finish of paint for your GM vehicle. This is especially useful when touching up your car's paint job, as the paint code is crucial for accurate colour matching during repairs or customization projects.
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a distinctive identifying code assigned to any GM vehicles (Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, etc.) at the time they were constructed. You can find your VIN in several places, including on the front part of the dashboard on the driver's side of the vehicle, at the base of the windshield, on the door post on the driver's side, under the hood, or on your vehicle's title, car registration, or insurance documents.
There are several online VIN decoder tools available, including free options. However, before doing a VIN decode, it is important to confirm your GM's birthday, as the current 17-digit VIN format was not officially approved until 1981. Additionally, if your GM was not originated from the US, it might not be accompanied by a VIN.
Once you have located your VIN and chosen a VIN decoder tool, you can input your VIN to retrieve valuable information about your GM vehicle, including the paint code. With this information, you can then purchase touch-up paint that will match your car's original paint colour seamlessly.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find the GM paint code on the VIN plate and the VIN on the dashboard, usually under the windshield.
The colour identification plate can be found on the driver's door jamb.
The U stands for Upper Colour and the L stands for Lower Colour.
The easiest way is to Google the complete colour code.
You can find the car colour code in your service history and your owner's manual.
