Leo Martínez
Knowing how to find your vehicle's paint code is essential for guaranteeing colour accuracy when carrying out touch-up work or repairs. The paint code is usually located on a vehicle information sticker, which can be found on the inside of the driver's side door jamb, the inside of the car door, or on the driver's side interior dash. Some car manufacturers place the code in odd locations, such as under the trunk carpet or in the spare tire compartment, so you may need to check several places. Once you've found the code, you can take it to an auto body shop, where they can use it to match the colour of your car.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Finding the paint code | Check the driver's side dashboard or the inside door jamb. Most vehicles have a vehicle information sticker that lists the VIN and the paint colour code. |
| Check the dashboard on the driver's side or the inside of the driver's side door jamb to find this sticker and check the colour code. | |
| Other possible locations for this sticker include: under the hood, or inside the car door. | |
| To save time and effort, read your car's manual to see where the vehicle information sticker is. | |
| The paint colour code is usually labelled with "EXT PT" or EXT PNT and is usually a mixture of numbers and letters. | |
| If you have a Ford, the paint code is always on the driver's door jamb, but often they will have the colour code above where it says "Exterior Paint Code". | |
| If you have an Audi A4, the code is hidden underneath the trunk carpet in the spare tyre compartment on the right side. | |
| If you have a GM (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Geo, GMC, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn), the code may be shown in a variety of ways, including: 96U 96L 8867 WA8867 8867L 8867U. | |
| If you have a Boxster, the code is located under the hood, front centre. | |
| If your car is old, the paint may be sun-faded. Check behind the license plate and compare that paint to the rest of the car. | |
| Online databases | Try sites like Paint Scratch, Auto Color Library, and HD Paint Code. |
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What You'll Learn
- Check the driver's side dashboard or door jamb for a vehicle information sticker
- Consult your car's manual to find the location of the vehicle information sticker
- Check the paint code on the door jamb label
- Look for the VIN on your vehicle title or registration certificate
- Visit an auto body shop to match the paint colour
Check the driver's side dashboard or door jamb for a vehicle information sticker
The door jamb on the driver's side typically has a sticker or plate with information about the vehicle. This includes the make and model, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date of manufacture, and the options and features of the car. The location of the door jamb sticker can vary depending on the make and model of the car, but it is usually found on the driver's side door jamb or on the pillar between the front and rear doors.
The door jamb sticker may also include the paint code, which is essential when matching car paint for touch-ups. The paint code is usually located on the driver's door jamb, often above where it says "Exterior Paint Code". It is important to note that the code shown below "Exterior Paint Code" may not be the correct paint code. Look for a two-character code, and occasionally, the colour code is embossed in the middle of the sticker.
Some car manufacturers place the paint code in odd places, so you may have to check several locations. For example, the Audi A4 has its paint code hidden underneath the trunk carpet in the spare tire compartment on the right side. Acura and Honda vehicles usually have an easy-to-find colour identification plate right on the driver's door jamb, and sometimes they have a factory code that makes a difference in the colour.
Other model locations may vary, and there can be several codes for the same colour. For instance, the Boxster's paint code is located under the hood, in the front centre.
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Consult your car's manual to find the location of the vehicle information sticker
The paint code of your vehicle is essential to guarantee the accuracy of the colour when you need to repaint it. While locating the code for automotive paint colours is easy for most vehicles, some cars have their paint codes hidden in odd places, such as under the trunk carpet in the spare tire compartment. Therefore, it is important to take the time to locate your colour code.
One way to do this is to consult your car's manual to find the location of the vehicle information sticker. This sticker is usually placed below the door latch, either on the door itself or on the door jamb. If it's not there, check the glove box. This sticker contains a lot of information, including the paint code, which is usually a code after a descriptor like "EXT PNT".
The door jamb sticker or plate also lists other important information about your vehicle, such as the make and model, trim level or option package, date of manufacture, transmission type, and engine size. The information provided on the sticker can vary depending on the make and model of the car. Additionally, some cars have a factory code that makes a difference in the colour.
Consulting your car's manual will help you locate the vehicle information sticker and understand the information provided on it. This information can vary depending on the automaker, but certain details, such as the Monroney label, are required by law to be the same across manufacturers. The Monroney label includes basic model information such as the engine and transmission combination, exterior and interior colour, model year, and trim level.
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Check the paint code on the door jamb label
To check the paint code on the door jamb label, you must first locate the door jamb. This is usually the driver's door jamb, and it is a common location for paint code stickers on many vehicle makes.
For Ford vehicles, including Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury, the paint code is typically found on the driver's door jamb. It is often located above the "Exterior Paint Code" section, and you should look for a two-character code. Sometimes, you may see "CC Met" on the colour plate, which indicates Clearcoat Metallic, but this is not part of the colour code.
Acura and Honda vehicles often feature an easy-to-spot colour identification plate on the driver's door jamb. Many models also have a factory code, which is essential to consider when matching the colour.
Other manufacturers, such as GM, which includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and others, have a more complex code system. Their codes may include prefixes like "BC CC," which stands for Basecoat/Clearcoat, and suffixes like "U" or "L," indicating Upper or Lower Colour, respectively.
Some car models may have the paint code in less common locations. For instance, Audi often hides the code around the spare tire on a loose or folded paper tag. BMW usually places it underneath the hood by the strut towers, while Chrysler's colour code format includes a year code that is unrelated to the actual colour code.
It is important to note that some vehicles may have paint codes in multiple locations, while others may have them in odd places. Therefore, it is always a good idea to consult a professional or a reliable online resource specific to your vehicle's make and model for more accurate instructions on locating the paint code.
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Look for the VIN on your vehicle title or registration certificate
If you don't have access to the physical title or registration certificate, you can still find the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) using other methods. The VIN is a unique identifier that specifies your particular vehicle.
The registration card for your vehicle often includes a condensed list of details, such as the model year, make, model, VIN, and plate number. Depending on the state DMV that issued it, it may also include the title number. In some states, such as Pennsylvania, the registration renewal slip or document will also include the VIN, usually alongside the vehicle's plate number.
If you don't have access to the registration, you may be able to find the VIN on your auto insurance card. However, this is dependent on the insurance provider, as the VIN is not usually needed for insurance purposes.
If the VIN is not on any of these documents, you can contact your local DMV or equivalent office to request the VIN. They will likely ask for identification and proof of ownership. Many state DMVs have an online vehicle record service that allows individuals to enter a VIN and view a title status, including the current title's number. For example, in Florida, individuals can look up a vehicle's information, including the title's status and number, by entering the VIN Portal on the FLHSMV Motor Vehicle Check Search.
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Visit an auto body shop to match the paint colour
If you are unable to find your vehicle's paint code yourself, you can always visit an auto body shop to match the paint colour. This is a common service offered by auto body shops, and they have the necessary tools and expertise to match your vehicle's colour accurately.
The process typically begins with locating the paint code, which is usually found on a tag in areas like the door jamb, trunk, hood, or glove compartment. However, the exact location can vary depending on the vehicle's make and model. Some car manufacturers place the code in odd places, so you may need to check several locations. Once the paint code is found, the auto body shop will refer to the manufacturer's database of colour formulas to select the appropriate colour variant.
They will then spray a test panel, typically on a 5"x7" card, and compare it to the vehicle's colour. If necessary, they will adjust the formula based on test results, using specialised equipment to analyse pigment content or relying on the painter's visual expertise. Older vehicles, previously repaired vehicles, or those with faded paint due to sun exposure may require additional adjustments to achieve a close match.
Experienced painters use blending techniques to create a seamless transition from the new paint to the existing panels, ensuring a high-quality and aesthetically pleasing finish. While it is challenging to perfectly replicate the original colour, skilled auto body shops can get extremely close, restoring the beauty of your vehicle.
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Frequently asked questions
The paint code for your vehicle can usually be found on a sticker inside the car, often on the inside of the driver's side door jamb, or on the driver's side interior dash.
The paint code is usually a mix of numbers and letters, labelled with "EXT PT" or "EXT PNT".
If you can't find the sticker, check your car's manual, which should tell you where the vehicle information sticker is located. If your car is older, you may need to check several locations as the manufacturer may have placed the code in an odd place.
If your car is old and the paint is sun-faded, the touch-up paint based on the original colour code won't match. You can go to a body shop or paint shop and ask them to colour-match your current paint.
You can look up the paint colour code with your VIN, year, make, and model using an online database. Try sites like Paint Scratch, Auto Color Library, and HD Paint Code.
