Do you want to touch up a chip on your bumper, but don't know the exact shade of paint? Or are you planning a full paint job, but are afraid of making a mistake with the color? The original car paint code is your main assistant in such situations. Without it, even professional colorists cannot guarantee 100% color match, especially for metallics or “chameleons.”

The problem is that manufacturers hide this information in the most unexpected places: from a sign under the hood to encrypted designations in the vehicle title. And some brands (like Mercedes-Benz or BMW) use unique encoding systems that do not match the standard ones RAL or NCS. In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to find a paint code - from the obvious to the little-known, and also learn how to decipher these codes for ordering materials.

1. Where to look for the paint code on the car body

The most reliable way is to find a nameplate with a color code. For most cars it is located in one of the standard places, but some brands may have exceptions. Here are typical places to look:

  • 🚗 Under the hood: on the spar, the inside of the wing or the partition between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment. Most often - on a plate with a VIN code.
  • 🚪 On the driver's door pillar: Check the area near the hinges or on the jamb itself (sometimes hidden under the rubber seal).
  • 🔧 In the trunk: under the carpet, on the inside of the cover or near the spare wheel (relevant for Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda).
  • ⚙️ On frame or spar: SUVs and pickup trucks (e.g. Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger).

On the plate the paint code is usually indicated as Color, Paint, Farbe (for German cars) or just a letter C. For example, at Toyota it could be C/TR 1F7, where 1F7 - and there is a color code. U KIA/Hyundai often used format BC/3U (here 3U - color).

📊 Where do you usually look for information about the paint of your car?
In documents (PTS, STS)
On the plate under the hood
On the Internet by VIN
I ask the dealer
I don't know where to look

⚠️ Attention: On some cars (especially premium cars), the paint code may be encrypted in the VIN code or indicated in a separate document - service book. For example, at Mercedes-Benz color is often expressed in the format 744U or 9002, and BMW - how A30 (Alpine White). If there is no obvious marking on the plate, check all documents.

Each manufacturer's paint codes are unique, but there are often common principles. For example, Japanese brands (Toyota, Nissan, Mazda) code usually consists of 3 characters (numbers and letters), and for European (Volkswagen, Renault) - from 2-4. Below is a table with examples of decoding for popular brands:

Brand Example code Color Paint type
Toyota 1F7 Super White II Solid (not metallic)
Volkswagen LA5W Pure White Mother of pearl
BMW A30 Alpine White Matte
KIA/Hyundai 3U Ceramic White Metallic
Ford M7002 Race Red Hard

If your code is not in the table, use the online databases:

  • 🌐 PaintRef - the largest database of codes for American and European cars.
  • 🌐 AutoColorLibrary — there are rare shades for Japanese and Korean brands.
  • 🌐 ChipMyRide — a service with visual color samples (useful for selecting “chameleons”).
💡

If the paint code starts with a letter M (for example, M55 at Mercedes), it's almost always metallic. Letter U often means mother of pearl, and B - base (solid) color.

3. How to find out paint color by VIN code

The VIN itself does not contain color information, but it can be used to find the complete vehicle specification, including the paint code. To do this:

  1. Find the VIN (usually on the driver's side windshield, in the title, or on a placard under the hood).
  2. Enter it on one of the services:
    • 🔍 VIN Decoderz (free, but limited information).
    • 🔍 EpicVIN (for a fee, but with paint detailing).
    • 🔍 CarVertical (paid report with history and color).
  • Look for the section in the results Paint Code or Exterior Color.

    • ⚠️ Attention: Free VIN decoders often do not show the paint code. If you need 100% accuracy, order a paid report or contact an authorized dealer. Also note that if the car has been repainted, the VIN will show original color, not the current one.

    What to do if the VIN decoder does not show the color?

    If the service does not provide information about the paint, try:

    1. Enter VIN on the manufacturer’s website (at Toyota, Ford and Hyundai have their own bases).

    2. Contact a car service center with a request to check the color with a scanner (many service stations have access to dealer databases).

    3. Take a photo of the car in daylight and send the photo to a color center (for example, PPG or DuPont) for analysis.

    4. Where else can you find a paint code: non-obvious places

    If there is no code on the body or in the documents, check these sources:

    • 📄 Service book: Official dealers often indicate the paint code in the “Technical Data” section or on a sticker inside the book.
    • 🔑 Keys or keychain: some manufacturers (for example, Volvo) put the code on the metal tag of the key.
    • 📋 Sales and purchase agreement: if the car was purchased at a dealership, the contract may contain a line with color (for example, “Exterior color: QAB — Deep Black").
    • 💾 Electronic documents: in digital PTS (via the portal Public services) sometimes there is extended data.

    Important: Cars with two-layer paint (for example, “chameleon” or “matte metallic”) may have two codes - for the base coat and for the varnish. Check with your colorist before ordering materials.

    5. How to check paint color without a code: alternative methods

    If you couldn't find the code, there are several ways to determine the color yourself:

    1. Spectrophotometer: a device for accurate color analysis (available in professional car repair shops). The cost of the service is from 500 to 1500 rubles.
    2. Mobile applications:
      • 📱 ColorSnap Match (from Sherwin-Williams) — you take a photo of the car, and the application selects the closest shade.
      • 📱 Nix Paint - works as a portable colorimeter (good lighting required).
  • Visual selection: Take a sample of paint (for example, from the inside of a door) and compare it with the catalog in the store.

    • ⚠️ Attention: Applications and visual selection give an error of up to 15%! For accurate results, use only the original code or spectrophotometer. This is especially critical for metallics and mother of pearl, where the shade depends on the lighting angle.

    Photograph the car in natural light|

    Find an area of original paint (for example, under the hood)|

    Compare with 3-4 samples from the catalog|

    Consult a colorist (even if the color seems to match) -->

    6. Common mistakes when searching for paint codes

    Many car owners make the same mistakes, which result in them getting the wrong shade. Here's what not to do:

    • 🚫 Trust only PTS: in Russian PTS, the color is often indicated by words (for example, “white”), rather than by code. This is not accurate information!
    • 🚫 Use code from spare parts: the color of the bumper or mirror may not match the body (especially if the part was painted separately).
    • 🚫 Ignore year of manufacture: For one model, the color with the same code could change. For example, 1F7 at Toyota Corolla 2010 and 2020 are different shades of white.
    • 🚫 Buy paint by name: "Silver Metallic" can refer to dozens of shades. Always focus on the code.

    If in doubt, order test sample paint (many stores offer this service) and compare it with the original on the car in daylight.

    7. Where to order paint by code: trusted suppliers

    When the code is found, all that remains is to order the materials correctly. Here are reliable options:

    • 🏬 Official dealers: expensive, but guaranteed original color. Suitable for new cars (up to 5 years).
    • 🛒 Specialty stores:
      • PPG (the largest range for European cars).
      • DuPont (good for American and Japanese brands).
      • Mobihel (budget option, but high quality).
    • 🌍 Online services:

    Average cost:

    • Spray can (400 ml) - from 800 to 2500 rubles.
    • Complete painting kit (base + varnish) - from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles.
    • Pencil for touching up chips - from 300 to 1000 rubles.
    💡

    Always order paint with a reserve - 10-15% more than needed. This covers possible mistakes during tinting and will allow you to touch up chips in the future.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car paint color

    Is it possible to find out the paint code by the license plate number?

    No, the license plate does not contain color information. However, you can find the VIN by number through the traffic police database (for example, official website), and then look for the paint code by VIN.

    What to do if the paint code has been erased from the plate?

    Try:

    1. Contact an authorized dealer with the VIN code.
    2. Use a magnifying glass or ultraviolet lamp - sometimes the code is visible under a layer of dirt.
    3. Remove the plate and take it to a nameplate restoration workshop.
    What is the paint code for black?

    Black has dozens of shades! For example:

    • Toyota: 202 (Super Black), 218 (Black Sand Pearl).
    • Volkswagen: LZ9S (Deep Black Pearl), A1 (Pure Black).
    • BMW: 668 (Jet Black), 475 (Black Sapphire Metallic).

    Without a code, it is almost impossible to distinguish them.

    Is it possible to paint a car a different color without changing the documents?

    Technically it is possible, but legally it is not. According to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605, changing the body color requires changes to the PTS and STS. The fine for non-compliance is up to 2,000 rubles (Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code).

    Why is the paint after painting different from the original?

    The reasons may be:

    • Incorrect paint code (for example, mixed up 1F7 and 040 at Toyota).
    • Using paint from another manufacturer (even with the same code, shades may differ).
    • Incorrect surface preparation (for example, old varnish was not removed).
    • Painting in poor lighting (metallic and pearl “play” differently in different light).

    To avoid this, always do test staining on a small area.