Where and how to find a car's paint number: a detailed guide with photos and tips

Do you need to touch up a chip on your bumper or completely repaint your car after an accident? Without exact paint numbers the result may be disappointing: the shade will not match, and in the sun the details will look like patches. Even for the same car model, the color may differ depending on the year of manufacture, manufacturer or configuration. For example, Volkswagen Golf in color "Pure White" has at least 3 code variations: LA7W, L90E and 9U9U - and they are all visually almost indistinguishable.

In this article we will look at where exactly manufacturers hide paint code (and why it is not always visible there), how to decipher it correctly, and what to do if the nameplate is erased or the documentation is lost. And also - unique life hacks on how to check the authenticity of the code so as not to run into a fake when buying paint online.

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

Most automakers apply color code on special plates (nameplates), which are attached in hidden but accessible places. The main rule: look for metal or plastic plates with inscriptions "Paint", "Color", "Farbe" or simply an alphanumeric designation (for example, 3Y3 for Toyota in color "Super White").

Typical locations:

• 🚗 Driver's door pillar - the most common option. Open the door and inspect the end of the body near the hinges. On Kia/Hyundai The nameplate is often hidden under a rubber seal.
• 🔧 Under the hood - on the inside of the lid or the partition between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment. U BMW and Mercedes It may be on the shock absorber strut bracket.
• 🪟 trunk - under the carpet, on the back wall or the gas tank flap. B Ford Focus The paint code is sometimes duplicated on the VIN plate.
• 🔑 Glove compartment - rare, but occurs in Mazda and Subaru. The sign can be glued to the inside wall.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (for example, Renault Duster until 2020) paint code is applied not on the nameplate, but directly on the body - Look for engraving or screen printing on the side members or sills. Use a flashlight: the inscriptions often fade with time.

2. What does the paint number look like: decoding the markings

A color code is a combination of 2-5 characters (letters and numbers) that is unique to each shade. The format depends on the brand:

Car make	Example code	Where is it usually located?	Features
Toyota, Lexus	1G3, 3Y3	Door pillar, under the hood	The first number is the type of paint (1 - metallic, 3 - pearlescent)
Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda	LA7W, 9U9U	Trunk (under the mat), rack	Letter L stands for "Lack" (German: "paint")
BMW, Mini	A52, B40	Under the hood, on a bracket	The code may be duplicated on a sticker in the glove compartment
Kia, Hyundai	P3E, U5G	Door pillar (under seal)	The last letter is the plant index (for example, E - Europe)

🔍 How to distinguish a paint code from other designations? Usually he:

• 🎨 Consists of 2–5 characters (less often - 6, like Porsche).
• 📌 Located next to the inscriptions "Color", "Peinture" or abbreviation C/TR (from "Color Trim").
• 🖌️ Does not contain spaces or dashes (unlike VIN or body number).

⚠️ Attention: On cars after restyling (for example, Lada Vesta FL 2022) paint code may differ from the pre-styling version even with the same color name! Always check the year of manufacture.

What to do if the paint code is erased?

If the inscription on the nameplate is not readable, try:

1. Wipe the surface with alcohol - sometimes dirt masks the symbols.

2. Illuminate with an ultraviolet lamp (on some models the nameplate paint glows).

3. Take a close-up photo and enlarge the image on your computer.

If all else fails, contact an official dealer with the VIN: they will pull up the data from the manufacturer’s database.

3. Alternative ways to find out the paint number

If the nameplate is missing or the information on it is unreadable, there are 4 more reliable methods:

3.1. Documents for the car

Check the following papers:

• 📄 Service book — the paint code can be indicated in the section "Technical data" or on a sticker inside the cover.
• 📋 Warranty card — some dealers duplicate information about color.
• 📑 Sales and purchase agreement — if the car was bought at a dealership, they sometimes prescribe the full package, including color.

3.2. Online services by VIN

Free databases:

• 🌍 VIN-Decoder - shows the paint code for most European and Asian brands.
• 🔍 NHTSA VIN Decoder - official US service, works with American cars.

⚠️ Attention: On paid sites (for example, CarVertical or AutoDNA) paint data may be inaccurate - they pull information from open sources, which do not always take into account changes after restyling.

3.3. Contact your dealer

Official service centers have access to the manufacturer’s databases, where the history of each vehicle is stored by VIN. The service is usually free, but you will need:

• 📋 Owner’s passport (to confirm ownership).
• 🔑 VIN or body number (located in the PTS or on the windshield).

💡 Lifehack: If the dealer refuses to help without making an appointment for service, write to the brand’s official chat at Telegram or WhatsApp — managers often meet halfway.

3.4. Color expertise

If none of the methods worked, all that remains is spectrophotometric analysis — the device reads the shade from the body and selects the closest code from the database. The service costs from 1,500 ₽, but guarantees 100% color match. Where to do it:

• 🔧 Car services with painting booths (ask about availability of equipment X-Rite or Datacolor).
• 🎨 Car enamels stores (for example, Mobihel or PPG).

Make sure the code applies to your model and year of manufacture|Check the color name in the manufacturer's catalog|Check the type of paint (acrylic, metallic, pearl)|Check the availability of the original shade from the supplier-->

4. How to check the authenticity of the paint code

Fake or incorrect codes are a common problem when purchasing paint online. For example, on Avito or OLX unscrupulous sellers may issue generic 1K (black) for a rare shade. To avoid mistakes:

Step 1. Check the code with the official catalog. Each brand has a color base:

• 📖 Toyota: Toyota Global → section "Vehicle Specifications".
• 📖 Volkswagen: VW Deutschland → "Farbkarten".
• 📖 BMW: BMW Individual → "Color Systems".

Step 2. Check the code through specialized databases:

• 🎨 PaintRef.com — a catalog with photos of real cars and paint codes.
• 🔍 AutoColorLibrary — search by make, model and year.

Step 3: Request a sample. Serious suppliers (for example, Mobihel or Sikkens) can send you a free one paint chip (coin size) for visual inspection. This will save you from mistakes when ordering a complete set.

5. Common mistakes when searching for paint numbers

Even experienced car owners sometimes confuse paint codes with other designations. Let's look at the top 5 misconceptions:

1. Confused with VIN or chassis number. VIN consists of 17 characters, and the body number is 6–9 digits. The paint code is always shorter (2–5 characters) and does not contain a letter I, O or Q (they are excluded to avoid confusion).
2. They take the code from the sticker on the windshield. It is indicated there accessory code (for example, LE20 for Toyota Corolla), not color.
3. The year of manufacture is ignored. For example, Honda Civic in color "Rallye Red" had a code R-129 until 2017 and R-502 after. Error by 1 character - and the shade will be different.
4. They trust universal tables. There are “reference books” circulating on the Internet like: "All Toyota paint codes", but they are often out of date or incomplete. Always check with official sources.
5. Does not take into account the type of paint. The same code (for example, B54 at BMW) can mean metallic or mother of pearl - this is fundamental for the selection of materials.

⚠️ Attention: On cars after an accident or repainting, the code on the nameplate may not correspond to the actual color of the body! In such cases, be sure to conduct a color examination.

6. Where to buy paint by number: trusted suppliers

When the code is found and verified, all that remains is to choose where to order the paint. Options - from budget to premium:

Supplier	Average price for 1 l	Pros	Cons
Mobihel	from 1,200 ₽	Wide network of stores, fast tinting	Colors may differ from the original by 5-10%
PPG	from 1,800 ₽	High quality, exact match to factory shades	More expensive than analogues, not all cities have representative offices
Sikkens	from 2,500 ₽	Premium line, suitable for restoration of retro cars	Requires professional application
DuPont	from 2,000 ₽	Good coverage, suitable for metallics	Difficult to find in small towns

💰 Saving tip: If you need to touch up a small chip, order not a whole liter, but aerosol can (from 500 ₽) with the same code. For example, at Mobihel there is a series "ColorMobile" — ready-made cans for popular shades.

📦 What should be included when purchasing paint:

• 🖌️ Base enamel (primary color).
• 🔲 Hardener (if the paint is two-component).
• 🧴 Varnish (for metallics and pearls).
• 📄 Mixing instructions (thinner proportions).

7. How to use paint number to select shade

We found the code - but this is not enough for an ideal result. Here's what else you need to consider:

1. Type of paint. The code can encrypt information about the composition:

• 1K — one-component (does not require a hardener).
• 2K - two-component (hardener required).
• 3W — “wet on wet” (applied without drying between layers).

2. Effects. The same code can mean:

• 🌈 Metallic - with aluminum particles (for example, Mercedes "Iridium Silver").
• 💎 Mother of pearl — with pearlescent pigment (changes shade at different angles).
• ⚫ Matte - without varnish (rarely, usually with premium brands).

3. Substrate. For light colors (white, silver) you may need primer-leveler (for example, PPG DP40) to avoid the dark base showing through.

🔧 Practical example: Let's say you have Ford Focus 2019 with paint code G1 ("Frozen White"). For painting you will need:

1. Base enamel G1 (white mother of pearl).
2. Hardener PPG D8115 (20% of the paint volume).
3. Varnish PPG GLOBAL 705 (2 layers).
4. Thinner PPG DT870 (for spraying).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about paint numbers

Is it possible to find out the paint code from a photo of a car?

No, it is impossible to accurately determine the code from a photo - even professional colorists make mistakes due to differences in lighting and camera settings. The most that can be done is to approximately select a shade from the catalog, but for a perfect match you need a code or a spectrophotometer.

What to do if the paint code starts with a letter Z?

Letter Z at the beginning of the code (for example, Z2M at Nissan) means that it is special custom color, not from the standard palette. Such paints are more expensive and take longer to produce (may require 2-3 weeks). Contact official dealers or specialized centers directly (for example, BMW Individual or Audi Exclusive).

Why do different parts on the same car have different shades?

This happens for three reasons:

1. The parts were painted at different times (for example, after an accident).
2. We used paint from different manufacturers (even with the same code, shades may differ).
3. The application technology was violated (improper drying, lack of varnish).

To eliminate the discrepancy, you will have to repaint the entire car or use color transitions (shading at the joints of parts).

Is it possible to order paint by code from abroad?

Yes, but keep a few things in mind:

• 📦 Delivery: Paint is classified as dangerous goods (class 3), so not all courier services carry it. Use DHL or FedEx.
• 💰 Price: Taking into account customs and delivery, a liter of paint can cost 3–4 times more than in Russia.
• 📄 Documents: For customs clearance, you will need a certificate of conformity (check with the seller).

An alternative is to find a local dealer of a foreign brand (e.g. PPG or Axalta have representative offices in the Russian Federation).

What is the paint code for black?

There is no universal code for black - each manufacturer has its own:

• Toyota: 202 ("Super Black") or 218 ("Black Sand Pearl").
• Volkswagen: L90A ("Deep Black").
• BMW: 668 ("Jet Black") or 475 ("Sapphire Black").
• Kia/Hyundai: PX ("Phantom Black").

Even for one brand, black can have up to 10 shades (with blue, green or brown undertones).