Finding the exact shade of the body is the first and most critical step before local repairs or a complete repaint of the car. Even a microscopic difference in tone can ruin the appearance of an expensive car, making a repair stain noticeable at first glance. Many car owners mistakenly rely on the name of the color in the documents, but this is not enough for computer tinting.
Manufacturers use complex coding systems, where each shade is assigned a unique numeric or alphanumeric identifier. This one paint code allows colorists to mix enamel that perfectly matches the factory finish of your Toyota, BMW or Lada. In this article we will analyze all possible locations of labels and learn how to read information correctly.
It is important to understand that the location of the marking plate directly depends on the year of manufacture and country of assembly of the vehicle. European, American and Asian concerns apply different standards for data placement. Below we will look in detail at search algorithms for various groups of cars.
⚠️ Attention: Never rely solely on a visual color comparison from a catalog on the Internet. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, the body fades, and the actual shade may differ from the factory standard, so the paint code is only a starting point, and not a guarantee of a 100% match without professional tinting.
Main identification plate (VIN plate)
The most reliable source of information about a vehicle's factory specifications is the primary identification plate, often called the VIN plate. It has a VIN number stamped or printed on it, data on the gross weight, production date and, what is important for us, body color code. Typically this plate is made of metal or durable plastic with a protective coating.
The location of the nameplate varies, but most often it can be found in the engine compartment. Engineers place it in a visible location to facilitate identification during inspection or sale. Look for the metal plate on:
- 🔹 Upper cross member of the radiator frame (TV).
- 🔹 Shock absorber glass (right or left).
- 🔹 Mudguard of the engine compartment.
- 🔹 Body spar next to the engine.
On the nameplate, look for the column with the designation Color, Paint, Farbe or Couleur. The code you are looking for will be indicated next to this word. Some manufacturers, for example, Ford or Mazda, this code can consist of two parts: the main color and the color of the undercoat (for two-tone colors).
Body pillar and door openings
For many modern cars, especially those manufactured in Europe and Asia after 2000, the placement of an information sticker on the B-pillar has become standard. This zone was not chosen by chance: it is protected from the aggressive effects of dirt, oil and high temperatures that reign in the engine compartment.
To find the code, open the driver's door (sometimes the passenger door as well) and inspect the vertical pillar between the doors. Information can also be duplicated at the end of the door itself or on the threshold. The sticker is usually white with black text and contains barcodes. Are you interested in the field Paint No. or Ext. Pnt..
Often the interior (upholstery) code is indicated next to the paint code, so it is important not to confuse the values. A paint code is usually shorter and may contain letters, whereas an interior code often consists of numbers only. If the sticker is worn or damaged, try to find duplicate information in other places.
If the sticker on the stand has faded and the code is not readable, carefully wipe it with an alcohol wipe - often readable information is hidden under a layer of dust and road chemicals.
Specifics of searching from German manufacturers
German automobile industry (VAG Group, BMW, Mercedes-Benz) is famous for its pedantry in labeling, but each brand has its own characteristics. Knowing these nuances will save you time when searching. For example, the concern Volkswagen (including Audi, Skoda, Seat) the paint code is always located in the service book, which is in the trunk or glove compartment, and is also duplicated on a sticker.
In cars BMW The plate is most often located under the hood on the shock absorber glass or on the inside of the trunk lid. The code consists of four digits. U Mercedes-Benz the situation is similar: look for the plate in the engine compartment or on the center pillar. In German car documents, the code is often indicated as Farb-Nummer.
It is important to note that in older models of the German automobile industry, the code could be stamped directly on the metal of the body, which made it durable, but difficult to read due to corrosion. In such cases, it is better to use the VIN number to request information from an authorized dealer.
What to do if the sign is cut off?
If you buy a car with broken numbers or cut off nameplates (which often happens on stolen cars), it will be impossible to visually find the paint code. In this case, the only legal way is to request VIN code data from an official dealer of the brand, providing documents confirming ownership.
Where to look for the code for Japanese and Korean cars
Asian producers (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia) also adhere to strict standards. Most Japanese cars, such as Toyota and Lexus, the paint code plate is located on the driver's side B-pillar. The code usually consists of three characters (for example, 040 for black or 1G3 for silver).
Korean brands Hyundai and Kia information is often placed in two places: under the hood on the mudguard or on the body pillar, which is the case with some models Mazda and Subaru The code may be located on the inside of the trunk lid, near the hinges or lock.
Below is a table with an approximate location of codes for popular brands:
| Car make | Code type | Typical location |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota / Lexus | 3 characters (C/TR) | Body pillar, engine compartment plate |
| BMW | 4 digits | Under the hood, trunk, documents |
| VAG (VW, Audi) | 2-4 characters (LA...) | Service book, floor under mat |
| Ford | 2 characters | Body pillar (Color column) |
When searching for Asian cars, pay attention to the column C/TR. The first part (before the slash) is the color code (Color), and the second is the upholstery type code (Trim). To select paint you only need the first part.
American cars and marking features
Cars from the USA (Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Jeep) have their own specifics. Here the paint code is often called Paint Code. On most modern American cars, the plate is located on the B-pillar, similar to European models. However, on older models (especially the 90s), the information can be found in the trunk, on the inside of the lid, or even in the glove compartment.
At the brand Ford the paint code usually consists of two characters (for example, YZ or PX). It is located at the bottom of the sign on the counter. U General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac) the code may consist of a combination of letters and numbers (for example, WA8624), where WA indicates a color standard.
Particular attention should be paid to two-tone colors, popular among American pickup trucks and SUVs. In this case, the plate will indicate two codes: one for the main part of the body, the other for the lower part or roof. When ordering paint, be sure to specify which segment you plan to repair.
⚠️ Attention: On cars from the USA imported through parallel import, stickers may be duplicated in English and Spanish. Make sure that you are reading the code from the column
Paint, notInteriororAxle.
☑️ Check before ordering paint
Russian cars and the budget segment
In the case of the domestic auto industry (Lada, UAZ, GAZ) code search can be either simple or complicated by human factors. On modern models Lada Vesta or XRAY The paint code is located on the factory sticker on the B-pillar. It consists of four digits (for example, 656 - icy).
However, on older models such as Lada Classic or Niva, the plate could have been lost during repairs or simply missing. In such cases, the code was often written with a marker or pencil directly on the metal in the trunk, under the carpet, or on the inside of the trunk lid. Information can also be found in the warranty card or service book, if they are preserved.
For budget Chinese brands (Chery, Haval, Geely) rules similar to those of Korean manufacturers apply. Look for the sign on the pillar or in the engine compartment. If you cannot find the code, you can use an online VIN decoder, although for rare colors this method is not always 100% accurate.
A paint code is not just numbers, it is an exact recipe. An error of even one digit will result in a different shade and the repair will become noticeable.
What to do if the paint code is not found
There are situations when signs are cut off, erased by time, or painted over due to poor-quality repairs. In this case, do not despair. There are several ways to get out of the situation. The first and most reliable is to contact an official dealer with the car’s VIN number. Their databases store a complete history of the vehicle's configuration, including factory color.
The second method is computer paint selection. An experienced painter can take a paint sample from an enclosed area of the body (such as inside a door opening, under a weatherstrip, or in an arch) where sun exposure has been minimal. Using a spectrophotometer or the computer fan selection method, you can recreate the formula.
The third option is to use online services using the VIN code. Many sites offer free or paid decryption, where the factory code will be indicated in the “Color” column. However, remember that databases may contain errors, so double-checking with a colorist is required.
Below are frequently asked questions that will help you understand the nuances of selection:
Is it possible to choose paint based only on the color name?
No, you can't. Names like "Black Pearl" or "Metallic Silver" are marketing names. One manufacturer may have ten shades of "black" and they will all have different codes. A digital code is required for accurate selection.
Why does the paint selected according to the code differ visually?
This happens for two reasons: fading of the factory layer under the sun over years of operation and technological tolerance during factory painting. Therefore, even an ideal code requires “transition” (shading) during local repairs.
Where is the paint code on older cars without plates?
Look for handwritten notes in marker in the trunk under the carpet, on the inside of the trunk lid, in the glove compartment, or in the spare tire well. Sometimes the code was written on the paint can itself, if it came with the car (rarely, but it happens).
How many characters are in a paint code?
The number of characters depends on the manufacturer. For Ford it is 2 characters, for BMW it is 4 numbers, for Toyota it is 3 characters, for VAG it is from 2 to 4 characters (often with the letters L, A, Z). Always look at the context of the sign.