Finding Your Car's Paint Code: A Step-By-Step Guide

Knowing how to find your vehicle's paint code is essential for guaranteeing colour accuracy when carrying out touch-up work. While some cars have their colour codes in easily locatable places, others are hidden in odd spots. This guide will help you find your car's paint code, ensuring a perfect colour match.

Check the driver's door jamb

Checking the driver's door jamb is one of the most common ways to find a vehicle's paint code. The door jamb is the metal area where the driver's side door latches. Many manufacturers place a label or sticker here containing information about the vehicle, including the paint code.

The paint code may be labelled as "Paint Code", "Colour Code", or "Exterior Colour". It is usually a combination of letters and numbers. For example, Ford vehicles have a two-character code labelled as "EXT PNT". Some Ford vehicles also have "CC Met" on the colour plate, which means Clearcoat Metallic and is not part of the colour code.

Other manufacturers that place the paint code on the driver's door jamb include Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercury, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Lincoln.

If you are unable to find the paint code on the driver's door jamb, you may need to check other locations, such as the inside of the vehicle's trunk compartment or the owner's manual.

Look for a plate, sticker, decal, or stamp

To find a paint code on a vehicle, you should look for a plate, sticker, decal, or stamp on the body of the car. This could be located in a few different places, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

For instance, Ford vehicles typically have the paint code on the driver's door jamb, often above where it says "Exterior Paint Code". The code you're looking for will be a two-character code, and it may be embossed in the middle of the sticker.

If you own an Acura or Honda, you can find the colour ID plate on the driver's door jamb. BMWs usually have their paint code underneath the hood by the strut towers. Audis, on the other hand, often hide their paint code around the spare tire, on a paper tag that may be loose or folded over.

For older Mazda models, you might find the paint code under the hood, in the trunk, or on the driver's door jamb. Mercedes vehicles typically have their paint code located by the radiator, in the middle of a bunch of numbers. Some Mercedes codes have "DB" in front of the colour code, but most do not.

If you can't find the paint code in any of these locations, you can try looking up your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on your car title, insurance, or registration certificate. With this information, you can contact your dealership, who can help you find the correct paint code.

Consult the owner's manual

If you're looking to find your vehicle's paint code, the owner's manual is a good place to start. In many cases, manufacturers include this information in the manual, making it easily accessible to vehicle owners. The paint code might be listed in a section related to vehicle specifications or colour codes, accompanied by a description of the colour.

If you're unable to locate the paint code in your owner's manual, don't worry. You can try checking the door jamb (the metal area where the driver's side door latches) or the inside of your vehicle's trunk compartment. Some manufacturers place the paint code on the spare tire cover, the well of the trunk, or even under the hood. Be on the lookout for labels or stickers that mention the paint code.

It's important to note that the location of the paint code may vary depending on the manufacturer and vehicle model. For example, Audi paint codes can typically be found in the door frame, boot lid, or under the bonnet, while Mazda paint codes are usually on the driver's door jamb, but in older models, they can be found under the hood, in the trunk, or elsewhere.

If you're still having trouble locating the paint code, consider contacting your dealer using your vehicle identification number (VIN) or registration information. They should be able to provide you with the paint code information you need. Remember, finding the correct paint code is essential to ensuring you get an exact colour match for touch-ups or repairs.

Additionally, if you're considering changing the colour of your vehicle, it's recommended to consult colour charts to get an idea of how it will look after the paint job. While changing the paint colour is perfectly legal, you may need to notify the DMV and follow any colour restrictions in your state.

Check the radiator

To check the radiator for the paint code, you must first locate the radiator support bar. This is where you will find the paint code on certain makes of car.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles, for example, display their paint code in three different places, depending on the model. The three most common locations are the driver's side door jamb, under the hood on the upper radiator support bar, or on the underside of the hood. The paint code will be a 3-digit number.

Nissan vehicles may also have their paint code located on the radiator support bar. If you cannot find the code on the driver's side door jamb, pillar, or hinge area of the door, try looking on the radiator support bar.

Jeep vehicles also sometimes have their paint codes on the radiator support bar, but this is usually for older models. For newer models, check the driver's side door jamb.

BMW vehicles usually have their paint code located under the hood, but if you cannot find it there, try looking at the strut towers or the edge of the fender.

Look under the hood

Looking under the hood of your vehicle is one of the most common ways to find the paint code. The paint code is usually located on a vehicle information sticker, which can often be found under the hood. This sticker will also contain other important vehicle information.

The exact location under the hood will vary depending on the vehicle make and model. For example, for Mini vehicles, the paint code is usually located under the hood by the strut towers or by the driver door hinge. For Subaru vehicles, the paint code can usually be found under the hood by the strut towers. For Porsche vehicles, the paint code can sometimes be found under the hood, but it may also be located around the spare tire or in the trunk. Older models of Mazda vehicles may also have their paint codes located under the hood, as well as in the trunk or other locations. Similarly, older Jaguar models may have their paint codes located under the hood, rather than on the driver's door jamb, where newer models typically have their paint codes located.

It's important to note that the paint code may be labelled in different ways. Typically, it will be labelled with "EXT PT" or simply "PT". In some cars, it may be labelled with just a "C". The paint code itself is usually a combination of letters and numbers, or in some cases, just letters.

In addition to checking under the hood, you can also look for the vehicle information sticker in other common locations, such as inside the driver's door jamb or inside the trunk. If you're having trouble locating the paint code, you can refer to your car's manual, which should indicate where the vehicle information sticker is placed. Alternatively, you can look up your car's make and model on an online colour code database.

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