Lena Rivera
Car paint codes are a sequence of numbers, letters, or both that identify a vehicle's exact colour. They are usually found on a plate, sticker, decal, or stamped into the body. The location of the code varies depending on the vehicle's year, make, model, and manufacturer. For instance, while some car manufacturers place the code in a single location, others put it in odd places. The paint code for a Ford vehicle, for example, can be found on the driver's door jamb, whereas the code for an Audi A4 is hidden beneath the trunk carpet in the spare tire compartment. Additionally, the letters in the paint codes have specific meanings. For instance, in GM vehicles, BC CC before the colour code stands for Basecoat/Clearcoat, while U and L indicate Upper Colour and Lower Colour respectively. Similarly, M in Nissan paint codes stands for Metallic, while 3P means Triple Layer Pearl.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Code Format | PS2 QS2, where the color code is S2 and the "P", "Q" (or other letters like G or T) indicate the year. |
| Code Location | Under the hood by the strut towers, on the door jamb, glove box, trunk deck lid, spare tire compartment, under the mat in the trunk, or firewall. |
| Code Length | Typically 2-4 characters long. |
| Code Composition | A mix of letters and numbers, e.g., BW9, NH638M, or S3. |
| Letter Meanings | M = Metallic, P = Pearl, U = Upper Color, L = Lower Color, BC CC = Basecoat/Clearcoat. |
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What You'll Learn
Paint codes are usually found on the door jamb
On most vehicles, locating the code for automotive paint colours is easy. However, some car manufacturers place the code in odd places, such as under the trunk carpet in the spare tire compartment. The paint code will usually be on a plate, sticker, decal, or stamped into the body of the car. It may also be located in the glove box, the trunk deck lid, under the mat in the trunk, or the firewall.
If you are looking for the paint code for an older vehicle with a metal interior, the interior and exterior paint codes are usually the same. For newer vehicles with vinyl interiors, the interior colours are not colour-coded on the vehicle, so you will need to consult a body shop or colour book to determine the interior colour code.
It is important to find the correct paint code to guarantee the accuracy of your colour. The vehicle colour code describes your colour exactly, so finding it is important if you want a perfect colour match.
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The code is a mix of numbers and letters
Automotive paint colour codes are a mix of numbers and letters that identify the exact colour of a vehicle. The code is typically found on a plate, sticker, decal, or stamped into the body of the car. The location of the code varies depending on the year, make, model, and manufacturer of the vehicle. Common places to find the code include the door jamb, glove box, trunk deck lid, spare tire compartment, under the mat in the trunk, or the firewall.
The format of the colour code can vary by manufacturer. For example, BMW colour codes are usually found underneath the hood by the strut towers. Chrysler colour codes are typically in the format of "PS2 QS2", where "S2" is the colour code, and "P" and "Q" are year codes. Ford colour codes are usually found on the driver's door jamb, above the "Exterior Paint Code" label. Honda colour codes usually start with the letters "NH" or the letters "R", "G", or "B", and are located on the bottom centre of the decal. Hyundai and Kia colour codes are typically two digits long and can be found in the driver's side door jamb.
Some manufacturers use additional letters or abbreviations in their colour codes to indicate the type of paint or finish. For example, "CC Met" on a colour plate means "Clearcoat Metallic" and is not part of the colour code. In GM vehicles, "BC CC" before the colour code stands for "Basecoat/Clearcoat". The letters "U" and "L" in the paint code indicate the Upper Colour and Lower Colour, respectively, for two-tone vehicles.
It's important to note that interior colours are typically not colour-coded on the vehicle. For older vehicles with metal interiors, the same paint is used on the exterior and interior. To determine the interior colour code, you may need to refer to colour books or visit a body shop with interior colour chips.
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M = metallic paint
Automotive paint colour codes are a combination of numbers and letters that identify the exact colour of a vehicle. These codes are essential for getting a perfect colour match when painting a car. For example, a 2008 Lincoln Town Car in Silver Birch Metallic has the colour code JP/M7052. This code is distinct from the codes for similar shades of silver offered on different models of 2008 Lincolns, such as Vapor Silver Metallic (ZY) and Silver Metallic (YN/M6505/M6895).
The letter "M" in automotive paint codes typically stands for "Metallic". This indicates that the paint has a metallic finish. For instance, the paint code for Silver Birch Metallic is JP/M7052, where "M" denotes its metallic quality. Similarly, Volvo's paint codes indicate whether the paint is solvent-based or water-based, with the digit "2" representing "Herberts (STANDOX)" and "5" representing "Sikkens".
Ford vehicles may feature the abbreviation "CC Met" on the colour plate, which stands for "Clearcoat Metallic" and is not part of the actual colour code. Additionally, some Volvo paint codes include a digit to specify the type of paint finish. For instance, the digit "5" in Volvo's paint code indicates a "solvent-based Pearl shine + Varnish" finish.
It is important to note that the location of a car's colour code can vary depending on the make, model, and manufacturer. Common locations include the door jamb, glove box, trunk deck lid, and spare tire compartment.
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P = pearl paint
Pearl paint is a type of automotive paint that can be used to touch up scratches and other minor paint damage on a vehicle. It is designed to match the original factory paint colour of the car and is available in a range of colours and shades. Pearl paints are identified by a letter and a number code, for example, 'P' for pearl and a number code such as 074 for white pearl paint.
The paint colour code identifies the original paint colour of the vehicle's body. This code can usually be found on a vehicle identification plate located under the bonnet or on the door pillar, or on a sticker in the glove box, trunk, or firewall. The colour code is a combination of letters and numbers that identify the exact vehicle colour. For example, Silver Birch Metallic for a 2008 Lincoln Town Car has the colour code JP/M7052.
The letter 'P' in the paint code stands for pearl, indicating that the paint has a pearlescent finish. Pearl paints contain tiny flakes of aluminium that give the paint a shimmering, iridescent effect, similar to the inside of an oyster shell. This type of paint is often used on luxury or high-end vehicles to create a distinctive and elegant finish.
When repairing paint damage, it is essential to find the correct colour code to ensure a perfect colour match. Touch-up paints are available in a wide range of colours and shades, and it is important to select the one that matches the vehicle's original paint code. Getting the wrong code is not uncommon, and paint suppliers often have colour match guarantees to ensure customers get the correct shade.
In addition to the colour code, other letters or abbreviations may appear on the vehicle identification plate or sticker. For example, "BC CC" before the colour code stands for "Basecoat/Clearcoat," indicating a two-step paint process. Other abbreviations may indicate the vehicle manufacturer, model, or year, and are not necessarily part of the colour code.
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Location of the code varies by manufacturer
The location of the colour code varies by manufacturer. For instance, for BMWs, the code is usually found underneath the hood by the strut towers. For Chryslers, the code is in the format of PS2 QS2, where the colour code is S2, and the letter is a year code. For Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles, the paint code is always on the driver's door jamb. Mazda colour codes are located on either the driver's side door jamb or the firewall. For Mercedes, the code is located by the radiator, amidst a bunch of numbers. Some Mercedes have DB in front of the colour code, but most do not. For Mini, the code is usually underneath the hood by the strut towers or by the driver door hinge. For Mitsubishi, the code can be found under the hood or on the driver's door jamb. Nissan colour codes are always on the driver's door jamb.
For Volkswagen cars, the code can be found on the rear deck lid, under the trunk mat, or inside the spare tire wheel well. For Kia models, the colour code is located on the driver's side door jamb. Hyundai colour codes can be found on the driver's side door jamb, under the hood, or on the firewall. For Audi models, the code can be found within the trunk, under the trunk deck lid, inside the rear compartment, under the mat, or on the spare tire wheel well.
Some car manufacturers place the code in odd places, and one may have to check several locations. The code is usually a plate, sticker, decal, or stamped into the body somewhere.
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Frequently asked questions
The letters in auto paint codes refer to the specific shade of a colour. For example, Silver Birch Metallic for a Lincoln Town Car has the code JP/M7052, while Vapor Silver Metallic has the code ZY.
The paint code for your car can be found on the "Service Parts Identification" tag, also known as the "Manufacturer's Tag/Sticker" or "VIN tag". The location of this tag varies depending on the car make and model. Common places to check include the door jamb, glove box, trunk deck lid, and spare tire compartment.
Getting the wrong paint code is not a big deal. TouchUpDirect, for example, offers a Color Match Guarantee, ensuring that you receive the correct colour match for your vehicle.
A colour code, also known as a paint code, is a combination of numbers, letters, or both that identify your vehicle's exact colour.
The letter codes after paint colours indicate the type of paint. For example, (M) typically stands for metallic, while (3P) could mean triple-layer pearl. These extra letters are specific to certain car brands, such as Nissan.
