Have you ever encountered a situation where you need to touch up a scratch on your car, but you don't know the exact shade of paint? Or are you buying a used car and want to check if it has been repainted? Determining the original body color is a task that every car owner faces sooner or later. But how to do this correctly, without trusting the eye or dubious “specialists”?

In this article we will look at all available methods - from official (by VIN code and nameplate) to alternative (using mobile applications and colorists). You'll learn exactly where to look for color information on Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai and other popular brands, how to decipher paint codes and where to order precise tinting. And also - why even the original color code does not guarantee a 100% match during local repairs and how to avoid it.

The material will be useful not only to owners, but also to those who are planning to buy a used car: knowing the original color will help to identify hidden bodywork. Let's start with the most reliable method - factory marking.

1. Determining color by VIN code: myths and reality

Many people believe that VIN code contains complete information about the car, including color. This is partially true, but with nuances. Yes, the VIN contains encrypted equipment data, but not always - body color. Here's what you need to know:

  • 🔍 Where to look for VIN? On most cars it is located on the windshield on the driver's side, under the hood (on a plate or embossed on the body), in the doorway or in the vehicle title.
  • 📊 What will the VIN show? For cars Toyota, Honda, Mazda and for some European brands the color may be indicated in the description. For Volkswagen, BMW or Mercedes - more often than not.
  • ⚠️ Limitation: VIN does not show shade (for example, “metallic” or “pearl”), only the base color.

How to check:

  1. Copy the VIN code (17 characters).
  2. Use official services:
  • Look for lines like Color Code, Paint or Exterior Color.
    • 📊 How do you usually look for information about a car by VIN?
    Via the brand's official website
    Third-party services (Vinformers, Autocode)
    Mobile applications
    I ask the dealer
    Never checked

    Important: On some services, the color may be indicated incorrectly if the car was repainted by the previous owner. Always cross-check data with other sources (see next section).

    💡

    If the VIN decoding shows the color as "Unknown" or "Not Available", do not panic - this is normal for many European and American brands. In this case, use the nameplate method.

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

    The most accurate way is to find label with color code, which the manufacturer attaches to the body. Its location depends on the make and model of the car. Here are typical places:

    Car make Where to look for the sign Example color code
    Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda Under the hood (on the side member or engine compartment panel), in the trunk (under the trim) LA7W (metallic grey)
    Toyota, Lexus In the driver's doorway (on the pillar) or under the hood 1G3 (white)
    Ford, Volvo On the inside of the trunk lid or glove compartment M7002 (blue)
    Lada (VAZ) Under the hood on the side member or on a plate in the engine compartment 626 (black)
    Hyundai, Kia On the driver's door pillar or under the seat PQ (red)

    Look for the following inscriptions on the sign:

    • 🔤 Color, Paint, Farbe (German) - color code.
    • 🔤 Trim - code for upholstery (do not be confused!).
    • 🔤 Ext. Color - external color.

    Decryption example: On Volkswagen Passat B6 the plate may contain the line LA7W H6N6, where:

    • LA7W — color code (in this case “Metallic Grey”).
    • H6N6 - upholstery code.
    What does the nameplate look like?

    Usually this is a small metal or paper sticker measuring 5x10 cm with small text. It shows: VIN, model, production date, paint and interior codes, as well as engine data. Photos of examples for different brands can be found in Google by searching “[car brand] factory paint code label”.

    If the sign is missing or the code has been erased, proceed to the next method.

    3. Online services for determining color by code

    When the color code is known (for example, LA7W for Volkswagen), all that remains is to decipher it. To do this, use specialized databases:

    • 🌐 PaintRef.com — the most complete database of codes for American and European cars. There is a search by brand and year.
    • 🌐 AutoColorLibrary — detailed cards with photos of shades and years of use.
    • 🌐 ETKA (for VW, Audi, Skoda) - a catalog of original flowers with names in Russian.
    • 📱 Mobile applications: ColorSnap (from Sherwin-Williams) or Paint My Ride — scan the code and show the shade.

    How to use PaintRef:

    1. Select a brand (eg BMW).
    2. Enter the year of manufacture.
    3. Enter the code in the search field (for example, A96).
    4. The service will show the name of the color (for example, “Alpine White III”) and its type (solid, metallic).

    ☑️ Check color code online

    Done: 0 / 4

    Warning: Some codes may be repeated from different manufacturers! For example, B59 at Ford - this is “Blue”, and Mitsubishi - "Green". Always check the brand.

    4. When the color code is known, but the shade does not match: why does this happen?

    Even if you found the original code, during local repairs (touching up scratches), the paint may differ. Reasons:

    • ☀️ Burnout: Pigments fade over time, especially on red and blue cars.
    • 🔧 Different batches of paint: Manufacturers periodically adjust shades (for example, Toyota changed the recipe for 1G3 in 2018).
    • 🎨 Application technology: Metallic and pearl look different when painted manually and in a factory.
    • 🌡️ Drying temperature: In a garage environment, paint dries differently than on a conveyor belt.

    How to achieve 100% match?

    1. Order tinting according to sample in a professional workshop (cost ~1,500–3,000 RUR). The technician will remove a layer of paint from your car and select the exact shade.
    2. Use three-layer system (base + metallic + varnish) - this is more expensive, but more accurate.
    3. For minor scratches, buy paint pencil with the original code (for example, Mobihel or Motip).
    💡

    If your car is older than 10 years, even the original paint code may not match due to fading. In this case, tinting according to a sample is the only reliable way.

    To check repainting (for example, when buying a used car), use the following method.

    5. How to check if a car has been repainted: 3 reliable signs

    If the seller claims that the car is in the original color, but you have doubts, inspect it using this checklist:

    ☑️ Signs of repainting

    Done: 0 / 4

    How to measure the thickness of paintwork?

    • 📏 Buy thickness gauge (from 2,000 ₽) or contact the service.
    • 📊 Standard for original paint: 80–120 microns. If there are 200 microns on the wing and 90 on the roof, the car has definitely been repainted.
    • ⚠️ Exception: On some Premium-stamps (for example, Mercedes S-Class) factory paintwork can reach 150 microns.

    Another way is to compare the color on hidden areas:

    • 🚗 Under the hood (on the side members).
    • 🚪 On the inside of the door (stops).
    • 🔧 Under the rubber trunk seals.

    Example: If the hood is bright blue, but the paint underneath is faded, the car has been painted. If the shades match, it’s original.

    💡

    When inspecting a used car, take a magnifying glass and a flashlight with you. Traces of putty are often visible in small cracks or bubbles under the paint, especially on sills and arches.

    6. Alternative methods: from mobile applications to the help of colorists

    If the standard methods don't work, try these options:

    • 📱 Color matching applications:
      • ColorSnap (scans an area of the body and selects the nearest shade).
      • Paint My Ride (code base for 50+ brands).
      • Autocolor (works offline, there is a Russian version).
    • 🖥️ Forums and groups: On Drome or Drive2 You can find topics for a specific model with photos of original colors.
    • 🎨 Colorists: In large cities there are workshops that will determine the color from a photo for free (for example, ColorMobile in Moscow).
    • 📧 Official dealers: Send them the VIN and color code - they will send an extract from the database (paid service, ~1,000 ₽).

    Case study: Owner Nissan Qashqai I couldn’t find the color code - the plate was painted over. Via the app Paint My Ride he scanned the hood and the system detected the code KAD (“Graphite metallic”) After checking by PaintRef the match was confirmed.

    If you buy your own paint, follow these tips:

    • 🛒 Order from official suppliers: PPG, DuPont, Sikkens.
    • 📦 For metallics, take base + hardener + varnish.
    • 🔖 Keep the receipt and label from the jar - if the shade doesn’t suit you, you can return it.

    7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    When determining color, car owners often make these miscalculations:

    ⚠️ Attention: Never rely on color name from PTS (for example, “red”). It indicates a generalized value, not an exact shade. The PTS may say “black”, but in fact it is A1Z (“Black Pearl”) or 218 ("Deep Black") Toyota.
    • 🔍 Error 1: The color code is confused (Color) with salon code (Trim). For example, on the sign Ford maybe M7002 (Paint) / FX (Trim) - they take the wrong code.
    • 🌈 Error 2: Does not take into account the type of paint. For example, 3L5 at Volkswagen - this is Metallic Blue, and 3L5S - “Metallic blue with mother-of-pearl effect.”
    • 📏 Error 3: Measure the thickness of the paintwork on plastic parts (bumpers, moldings). Plastic is always thinner than metal!
    • 💡 Error 4: Buy paint by name, not by code. For example, "White" could be 040 (matte) or QAB (glossy) Hyundai.

    How to avoid:

    1. Always check the code against two sources (VIN + plate).
    2. When purchasing paint, please check base type (acrylic, metallic, mother of pearl).
    3. For an accurate selection, use spectrophotometer (available in services).
    💡

    If you are painting a complete part (for example, a bumper), you can use the original paint according to the code. If you are just touching up a scratch, it is better to do the tinting according to the sample.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to determine the color of a car by its license plate number?

    No, the traffic police database stores only general data (make, model, VIN), but not the paint code. However, you can find the VIN using the license plate number through services like traffic police.rf, and then check the color against it (see. section 1).

    What should I do if the color code plate is painted over?

    Try carefully scraping the paint off the sign with a utility knife or solvent (such as White spirit). If it doesn’t help, use alternative methods: VIN, mobile applications, or contact a colorist.

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

    In this case, the original color can only be found by looking at the VIN or the nameplate (if it is not damaged). If the sign is missing, there are two options left:

    1. Remove a layer of paint in a hidden area (for example, under the hood) and take the sample to a workshop.
    2. Order an extract from an official dealer (VIN required).

    Please note: if the car is completely repainted, it is almost impossible to restore the original color without documents.

    Where to buy paint by color code?

    Original paint can be ordered:

    • From official dealers (the most reliable, but expensive option).
    • In online stores: Autopaint, Paint-Scan.
    • In specialized stores (for example, Car paint in your city).

    The average cost of a can (0.5 l) is from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles, depending on the brand.

    Is it possible to touch up a scratch yourself if you know the color code?

    Yes, if the scratch is small (up to 3 cm). You will need:

    1. Pencil or spray paint with the original code.
    2. Degreaser (White spirit or Antisilicone).
    3. Fine sandpaper (P1500–P2000).
    4. Clear varnish (for finishing coat).

    Instructions:

    1. Clean and degrease the damaged area.

    2. Sand the scratch (if it is deep).
    

    3. Apply paint in 2-3 layers, drying for 10-15 minutes.
    

    4. Cover with varnish (if the paint is not a “varnish base”).
    

    5. Polish the area after 24 hours.

    For major damage, it is better to contact the service.