Lena Rivera
In the automotive world, paint codes are used to identify the exact colour of a vehicle, which is essential when ordering touch-up paint or repairing a car. For instance, the paint code WA8624 corresponds to Olympic White for a Chevrolet Equinox. In this context, WA is a reference to the RPO (Regular Production Option) code, which is used by General Motors (GM) to identify specific car features, including the paint colour. Different GM divisions sometimes use distinct names for the same colour, and the RPO code helps standardize the identification process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What does WA stand for? | It is a reference number for the colour. |
| Who uses the WA code? | Paint companies such as Akzo, Basf, Prospray, Concept paints, PPG, Sherwin-Williams, DuPont, and others. |
| Where can you find the Chevrolet paint code? | On the service parts identification tag/sticker, which can be found on the driver's side and passenger side door jamb, the spare tire cover, or in the middle of the console. |
| What does the Chevrolet paint code look like? | It is usually prefixed with "BC/CC U" or "BC/CC L", which stand for basecoat/clearcoat and upper/lower colour, or may start with WA. It is made up of numbers and letters. |
| Example | The paint code for Olympic White is 50GAZ/WA8624. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
'WA' is a paint code from a paint company
WA is a paint code from a paint company. Paint codes are used to identify the exact colour of a car's paint job. They are especially important when ordering touch-up paint to fix scratches or chips, as the same colour can have different names depending on the car model. For example, the paint code WA8624 corresponds to Olympic White for a Chevy Equinox.
Different manufacturers will use different codes for the same colour. For instance, Black 41 is the GM Code, 9835 is the P&G Code, 99 is the DuPont Code, 33752 is the Sherwin-Williams Code, and 8555 is the code from a paint company with the initials WA.
The WA code is also used by Chevrolet, with the paint code usually prefixed with "BC/CC U", which stands for "basecoat/clearcoat and upper colour". However, when ordering paint online, only the code is needed. For example, the Corvette is available in the colour Graystone Metallic, with the paint code 16/WA213M.
Different GM divisions sometimes have different names for the same colour. For example, GAZ 'Summit White' for the Silverado is called GLT 'Glacier Blue Metallic' for the Sierra. In this case, the touch-up paint codes match the RPO codes rather than the names, with the Silverado using WA-130H and the Sierra using WA-327E.
It is important to note that paint colours can vary depending on where the car is painted due to factors such as humidity and air pressure. Therefore, it is always best to use a qualified paint shop with a digital colour-matching tool to ensure an exact match.
Customizing Your Jeep: Painting Fender Flares
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Paint companies use different codes
Chevrolet paint codes can be found on the service parts identification tag, which is usually located on the driver's side and passenger side door jamb, the spare tire cover, or in the middle of the console. The Chevrolet paint code will usually be prefixed with "BC/CC U", which stands for basecoat/clearcoat and upper colour, or may also start with WA. For example, the paint code for Graystone Metallic is 16/WA213M, and the code for Gold Mist Metallic is 51/GAO/WA316N.
Different GM divisions sometimes have different names for the same colour. For example, on the 2023 1500 Silverado, the colour is called 'Summit White', while on the 2023 1500 Sierra, it is called 'Glacier Blue Metallic'. The paint code for both is WA-130H.
When it comes to matching paints, higher-end brands tend to accommodate different conditions, while less expensive brands may offer a standard formula with some variants. For example, a customer who purchased Olympic White 50GAZ/WA8624 for their Chevy Equinox found that the paint matched perfectly. However, it is not uncommon for new paint on a car's bumper to not match the rest of the car due to variants for each colour and different labour and manufacturing conditions.
Protective Masks: Blocking Paint Fumes for Safety
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$15.99
GM paint codes are found on service parts identification stickers
If you own a General Motors vehicle (Chevy, Saturn, GMC, Buick, Pontiac, or Cadillac), you may have wondered about the service parts identification label. Since 1984, General Motors has placed these labels on all their vehicles to help service and parts personnel identify parts and options originally installed on a specific vehicle. These labels list both Regular Production Option (RPO) and Regular Production Accessory (RPA) codes.
The SPID label can usually be found in the glove box, on the inside of the trunk lid, or on the bottom side of the cover for the spare tire in the trunk. For some GM SUVs and mini-vans, the label may be located on one of the plastic storage covers in the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, starting with the 2018 model year, a QR code was added to the Certification label on Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC models, which includes the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), RPO codes, and other vehicle information.
The GM paint codes are found on these service parts identification stickers. For GMC vehicles, the paint code can be located under the "BC/CC" heading, usually at the bottom of the sticker. The code will be on the right-hand side of this heading. It's important to note that the paint code may vary depending on the model and year of your vehicle.
For example, the code 41/WA8555 represents Black, a popular colour choice for GMC vehicles. The WA in this code refers to the paint colour and is followed by a series of numbers. The WA code is used by different paint companies, such as Akzo, Basf, and Prospray, but the way they interpret it may vary. For instance, Akzo uses the front number along with the WA code, while Prospray uses the same code as Basf but may omit the WA for newer colours.
Paint and Lacquer Thinner: Mix or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Chevrolet paint code is prefixed with BC/CC U or WA
Chevrolet, like all manufacturers, uses the exact same colour across many models and then has a different colour name for each model. It's the same paint, which is why the colour code is so important to order the correct paint.
When you find your service parts identification sticker, you will be presented with a whole host of three-digit numbers. The Chevrolet paint code will usually be prefixed with BC/CC U, but it may also start with WA. However, when you select your paint online, you just need the code.
Different paint companies read paint codes differently. Akzo will read it with or without a U, or WA, and they use the manufacturer (such as Chevy, Buick, or GMC) to look up. Basf will just use the WA number along with or without the 2-3 digit front number. Prospray uses the same method as Basf, but for newer colours, you don't have to use the WA in front.
Handy Multi-Tool for Painting Perfection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Different GM divisions have different names for the same colour
The "WA" in GM paint codes stands for the paint manufacturer, in this case, Akzo. The WA prefix is used by some paint companies, such as Akzo and Prospray, to refer to GM's paint colours.
General Motors Company (GM) is an American multinational automotive manufacturing company that owns and manufactures four automobile brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac, each a separate division of GM. Due to marketing strategies, different GM divisions may use distinct names for the same colour. For example, the G1W colour code is used for both Iridescent Pearl on 2023 Chevy Silverado models and White Pearl on the 2023 Chevy Corvette models.
Similarly, the colour code 316N can be referred to as Gold Mist Metallic Clearcoat, Gold Clearcoat, or Inca Metallic Clearcoat, depending on the model and marketing decisions. This practice of using different names for the same colour is common across all manufacturers, not just GM.
When ordering touch-up paint, it is essential to provide the correct colour code, as the same colour can have multiple names. Paint suppliers may use the front number or the entire code, with or without the WA prefix, depending on the manufacturer and the paint colour's vintage. For instance, when using Concept paints (Transtar No Mix), you can use the front digit code or the WA code without the WA prefix (e.g., WA926L can be entered as 926L).
Airbrushing 101: Mastering the Art of Fading with an Airbrush Gun
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
WA is a reference number to the colour of the paint.
You can find the paint code on the service parts identification tag. The location of this will vary depending on the model of your car. It could be on the driver's side or passenger side door jamb, the spare tyre cover, or in the middle of the console.
When ordering paint online, you just need the paint code. This will be a three-digit number, potentially prefixed with "BC/CC U" or WA.
