Determining the exact color of a car is a task that every owner faces when painting parts, buying a used car, or completing paperwork. An error of even half a tone can lead to the fact that the repaired bumper will stand out against the background of the body, and incorrect data will be entered into the vehicle title. In this article we will analyze 7 reliable methods, how to find out the color of a car, taking into account the nuances of factory markings, paint fading and the characteristics of different manufacturers.

Many car owners mistakenly believe that it is enough to look at the body or check the data in the STS. In practice original color may differ from visual due to aging paintwork, tinting or previous repainting. For example, Toyota Corolla 2015 in color 1G3 ("Silver metallic") after 5 years in the sun it may look like 1D2 (“Light grey”). And in documents they often indicate general names like “black” instead of the exact code 202 (“Deep black mother of pearl”).

To avoid costly mistakes, we analyzed data from manufacturers (PPG, DuPont, AkzoNobel), interviewed painters with 10 years of experience and systematized information on four key sources: factory markings, documents, digital services and visual diagnostics. At the end of the article - FAQ with answers to frequently asked questions, including controversial cases (for example, when the color in the PTS does not match the real one).

📊 How do you usually determine the color of your car?
According to documents (PTS/STS)
I look at the sign under the hood
I use online services for VIN
Compare with a paint catalog in a car service center

1. Nameplate: where to look and how to read the color code

The most reliable way is to find original nameplate with a color code, which the manufacturer attaches to the body. For most brands it is located in one of three places:

  • 🚗 Under the hood: on the A-pillar (for example, at Volkswagen - left, at Ford - right) or on the inside of the wing. Look for a metal plate measuring 5x10 cm with small text.
  • 🚪 On the doorway: on the driver's side, under the seal (typical for Toyota, Hyundai, Kia). Sometimes the sign is hidden under a plastic cover.
  • 🔧 In the trunk: on the rear wall or under the spare wheel (found on BMW, Mercedes, Audi).

On the sign, look for one of the following inscriptions (depending on the brand):

  • Color, Paint, Ext. Color (English stamps)
  • Farbe, Lack (German manufacturers)
  • Couleur (French cars, for example, Renault or Peugeot)
  • Body color or Enamel (domestic models: Lada, UAZ).

The color code can be specified in the format: Alphanumeric (for example, B54 at Mazda - "Metallic blue"), Purely digital (for example, 300 at Volkswagen - "Black Pearl"), With title (for example, Tango Red at Ford Mustang). U Mercedes-Benz The color code may be duplicated on a separate sticker next to the main plate - it is often overlooked.

If the label is missing (for example, after an accident or body repair), continue to the next method. But remember: without factory code even experienced painters can be off by 1-2 shades.

Example of decoding a Toyota plate

On the sign Toyota Camry 2018 could be the line: C/TR: 1G3 8N1. Here 1G3 - color code (“Metallic Silver”), and 8N1 - upholstery code. First characters (C/TR) stand for "Color/Trim".

2. VIN code: how to find out the color through online services

If the nameplate is lost, VIN code will become your main assistant. This is a 17-digit identifier (for example, JT2BF22KXW0123456), which contains information about the configuration, including color. Find it:

  • 📄 B PTS or STS (line "Identification number").
  • 🚘 On windshield (bottom driver's side).
  • 🚗 Under the hood (on a special plate).

Copy the VIN and use one of the trusted services:

Service Link Features Free?
VINDecoderz vindecoderz.com Supports 98% of brands, shows color name and code Yes
AutoDNA autodna.com Detailed report with paint history (if the car was repainted) Partially
CarVertical carvertical.com Checks the originality of the color against the database of insurance companies No (from 1.99€)
Official sites Examples: Toyota, VW Accurate data, but requires registration Yes

Important: Online decoders can output general name of color (e.g. "red"), whereas the manufacturer uses exact shade (for example, "Candy Apple Red" with code PQ at Ford). This is not enough for painting - check the code in paint catalogs.

⚠️ Attention: If the VIN decoder shows a color that is not in the catalog for your model, the car may have been repainted. In this case, check the data with archival photos (for example, on Avito or Drom by body number).

Copy the VIN from the title or from the body|

Use 2-3 services for cross-validation|

Compare the result with the manufacturer's paint catalogue|

Check your repaint history (if you have access to the CarVertical report) -->

3. Documents: what to look for in PTS, STS and insurance

In Russian documents, color is indicated in three places:

  1. PTS (item 9 “Exterior color, cabin, body”) - for example, “White metallic”.
  2. STS (Column “Vehicle Color”) - often abbreviated (“Grey.” instead of “Silver”).
  3. OSAGO/CASCO policy — duplicates data from STS.

However, there is three pitfalls:

  1. Generalized names: The title may say "Blue" when the actual color is 8U7 ("Deep blue mother of pearl") BMW.
  2. Inspector errors: During registration, the color could be indicated “from memory,” especially if the car is dirty or at dusk.
  3. Repainted without changes in documents: By law it is mandatory to change the color of the PTS, but in practice many do not do this.

To check the validity:

  • 🔍 Compare the data in the PTS and STS - they must match.
  • 📅 Look at the date of issue of the STS: if the car has been repainted after this date, the color in the documents is outdated.
  • 📸 Find a photo of the car at the time of purchase (for example, in the advertisement archive).
⚠️ Attention: If the PTS indicates the color “Metallic” without specifying the shade, this is not allowed for painting — metallic can be silver, gold, blue, etc. In this case, be sure to find the color code on the body or through the VIN.

4. Visual inspection: how not to make a mistake with the shade

If documents and VIN are not available, you will have to determine the color by eye. Here step by step instructionshow to minimize the error:

Step 1: Inspect the car in daylight

  • ☀️ Perfect time - cloudy day or morning/evening (without direct sunlight).
  • 💡 Artificial lighting (for example, in a garage) distorts the shade: fluorescent lamps add a greenish tone, LEDs add a cool blue tone.

Step 2. Find a “reference” area of the body

Color may vary on different items due to:

  • 🔥 Burnout: The roof and hood fade faster than the doors.
  • 🛠️ Local painting: The bumper or fender could have been painted a different shade.
  • 🧴 Polishing/waxing: They temporarily change shine and tone.

Optimal places to check:

  • 🚪 Inner side of the door (behind the wiper blade).
  • 🔑 Trunk lock or gas tank flap.
  • 🔧 Mounts under the hood (if not rusty).

Step 3. Compare with catalog

Take physical fan of colors (available at any car service) or use online catalogs:

  • 🎨 PPG Refinish - a base for professionals.
  • 🖌️ AkzoNobel — catalog with filters by brand and year.
  • 📱 Application ColorSnap (from Sherwin-Williams) — scans the color from the photo.

If in doubt between two shades, order test staining a small part (for example, a mirror) is cheaper than repainting the entire car.

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For an accurate comparison, clean the selected area of the body from dirt and wax using degreaser (for example, APP W900). This will remove the film that distorts the color.

5. Special devices: when 100% accuracy is needed

For professional repair or restoration of classic cars they use spectrophotometers - devices that analyze reflected light and determine color accurate to the paint formula. Popular models:

Device Accuracy Price Where to buy
X-Rite RM200QC 99% (determines the paint formula) ~250 000 ₽ Official website
Datacolor Spectro 100 98% (suitable for metallics) ~180 000 ₽ Datacolor
Nix Pro 2 95% (budget option) ~30 000 ₽ Nix Sensor

How do these devices work:

  1. 📱 Bring the sensor to the body (distance 1–3 cm).
  2. 🖥️ The device reads the spectrum of reflected light.
  3. 📊 The color code and the closest analogues from the databases are displayed on the screen PPG, DuPont.

These devices are used in car services for:

  • 🔧 Repair after an accident (so that the new part is no different).
  • 🎨 Retro car restorations (for example, Volga GAZ-21 1960s).
  • 🛠️ Repaint checks (compare color in different areas).
⚠️ Attention: Cheap "Chinese" colorimeters (price up to 10,000 ₽) are often mistaken by 10–15%. For accurate results, rent the device from a car service center (cost: 500–1500 RUR/day).

6. Mistakes when determining color: top 5 mistakes

Even experienced car owners make mistakes that lead to color mismatches. Let's consider the most common:

Mistake 1: Trust only documents

The title may indicate “Red”, but the actual color may be 3L5 ("Bright red mother of pearl") Honda. Always double check by body or VIN.

Mistake 2: Comparing colors under a lamp

Fluorescent lighting adds a green tint, while LED lighting adds a cool blue tint. For example, QAB ("Blue Sky") Volkswagen may appear turquoise under a lamp.

Mistake 3: Ignoring burnout

After 5 years in the sun LY7H ("Metallic Yellow") Ford Focus fades by 20–30%. Always check the color less lit areas (for example, under the hood).

Mistake 4: Confusing metallic and pearlescent

Metallic contains aluminum powder (shine depends on the angle), and pearl contains mica (changes shade). For example, 4U5 at BMW is pearlescent, not metallic.

Mistake 5: Ignoring the year of manufacture

Manufacturers are changing the palette. For example, 1G3 at Toyota in 2010 - "Silver Metallic", and in 2020 - "Dark Gray Metallic".

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If the car has been repainted, no method will be 100% accurate. In this case, order spectral analysis in a car service or paint the part with transition (shading).

7. What to do if the color is not determined

If none of the methods helped (for example, the car has no documents and the body has been repainted), follow the algorithm:

Step 1. Check the car history

  • 📄 Order a report CarVertical or AutoCheck — there may be a photo with the original color.
  • 🔍 Look for ads for the sale of this car (by VIN or body number) on Avito, Drom.

Step 2: Contact an expert

  • 👨‍🔧 Painters with >5 years of experience often determine the color “by eye” with 90% accuracy.
  • 🔬 In large cities there are laboratories that analyze microscopic layer of paint (cost - 2000–5000 ₽).

Step 3: Use a transition when painting

If the exact color is unknown, the painter can:

  • 🎨 Apply paint with shading (smooth transition to the original color).
  • 🖌️ Add tint varnishto smooth out the difference.

Step 4: Repaint the car completely

If there are a lot of defects (for example, after an accident), sometimes it’s cheaper completely repaint the car in a new color (cost - from 30,000 ₽ for budget models).

How much does color determination cost in the service?

Average prices in Moscow and St. Petersburg:

- Visual inspection of the painter: 500–1000 ₽

- Reading VIN through a diagnostic scanner: 1000–1500 RUR

- Spectral analysis: 2000–3000 ₽

- Rental of a spectrophotometer for the day: 1000–1500 ₽

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

🔍 How to find out the color of a car if it is repainted a different color?

If the car has been repainted, the original color can be determined:

  1. By VIN code (will show factory shade).
  2. By hidden areas of the body (for example, under door seals).
  3. Via archival photos (for example, in a report CarVertical).

If you need to know current color (for painting), use a spectrophotometer or contact a painter.

📄 The PTS says “Blue”, but the car is clearly purple. What to do?

This is a typical registration mistake. Your actions:

  1. Check body color code (for example, PX7 at Nissan - "Purple metallic").
  2. Compare with VIN decoder (for example, on VINDecoderz).
  3. If the color is really different, contact the traffic police for PTS fixes (expertise will be required).
🚗 Is it possible to determine the color from the photo?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • 📸 Use RAW photo (no compression) in daylight.
  • 🎨 Download it to ColorSnap or Benjamin Moore.
  • ⚠️ Accuracy - no more than 80% (depending on the camera and lighting).

For critical tasks (such as painting), this method not recommended.

🔧 What paint color should I choose if I can’t find the original?

If the original color is lost (for example, in a vintage car), proceed as follows:

  1. Pick up closest analogue according to the catalog (for example, PPG or DuPont).
  2. Order test coloring small part (for example, trunk lid).
  3. Use transition (shading) when painting.

For classic cars (eg GAZ-24) can be ordered individual paint selection in the laboratory (cost - from 5000 ₽).

💰 How much does it cost to determine color in a car service?

The cost depends on the method:

Method Price (₽) Accuracy
Visual inspection of the painter 500–1000 85–90%
Reading VIN via scanner 1000–1500 95%
Spectrophotometer 2000–3000 99%
Laboratory paint analysis 5000–10000 100%