Selecting the perfect shade to restore the paintwork of the car is a complex task that requires accuracy and a deep understanding of chemistry. car-enamels. Even a slight deviation in the formulation can lead to the fact that the painted element will be noticeably different from the rest of the body, creating the effect of “spotting”. That is why the catalog of car paints by colors and numbers is an indispensable tool for professional colorists and masters of body repair.
In the modern world there are thousands of shades used by various vehicle manufacturers, from the mass market to exclusive series. Correct identification Color is the first and most critical step towards a flawless result. Mistakes at this stage lead to financial losses and the need to redo the work, which is unacceptable in the conditions of fierce competition in the market of car service.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to use paint catalogs, where to look for factory codes, and why visual comparisons are often not accurate enough. You will learn about the nuances of pigment mixing and methods to achieve 100% color, even if the car is several years old.
Principles of coding and color selection systems
Each car manufacturer uses its own paint labeling system, which is often based on international standards but has unique features. Paint code. A combination of letters and numbers that encrypts the exact color formula. This formula includes information about the base pigment, the type of base (metallic, mother of pearl, acrylic) and application technology.
There are several basic encoding systems, among which the most common standards are RAL, NCS and proprietary codes of automakers (for example, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota). The use of the catalog allows you to translate the visual perception of color into a digital format that is understandable to color equipment. Without a precise code, the selection process turns into a lottery with a low chance of success.
⚠️ Never rely solely on the name of the color (e.g. Black Onyx or Silver Metallic), as the same name can match dozens of different shades in different years of model release.
For the precise determination of the composition, it is necessary to take into account not only the basic pigment, but also effluentsuch as aluminum powder or mica. They create the depth and play of light characteristic of modern coatings. The paint catalogs contain detailed specifications describing the size and orientation of these particles, which is critical to the final result.
Professional colorists use spectral analysis in conjunction with catalog data to create the perfect mixture. Computer programs allow you to take into account the degree of burnout of the old coating and adjust the recipe "for a flight" so that the new layer fits perfectly on the old one.
Where to find the factory number of paint on the car
Finding the identification number of a paint coating is a physical process that requires care. The location of the plate or code sticker varies depending on the make, model and year of release of the vehicle. Most often, manufacturers place this information in easily accessible places, such as: doorway, the hood space or the luggage compartment.
European-made vehicles, such as Volkswagen Group or BMWThe code can often be found on the driver's side of the body or in the spare wheel niche. Japanese brands, for example Toyota or NissanTraditionally, place a plate with data on the central pillar of the body, which also indicates information about the permissible load on the axles. In some cases, the code may be stamped directly on a metal plate, and in others it may be printed on a paper or vinyl sticker.
- 🚗 Door counter: Open the driver's door and inspect the vertical body rack or the end of the door itself. Look for a rectangular sticker with barcodes and alphanumeric notations.
- 🔧 Under the hood space: Inspect the partition between the engine and the interior (motor shield) or splashers. The code can be specified on a separate metal plate attached with rivets.
- 🎒 Track: Lift the floor of the trunk. In the niche under the spare wheel or on the inside of the trunk lid, service information, including the color code, is often placed.
- 📄 Documentation: Check the service book or vehicle registration certificate (although the code is rarely and not always accurate).
If visual search has not yielded results, the most reliable way is to request VIN code At the official dealer. This method ensures accurate information is obtained even if the factory plates have been lost or damaged by corrosion. The VIN code is a unique identifier that contains the complete history of the vehicle, including the factory color.
☑️ Search for paint code
Work with catalogs: from paper fans to digital databases
The evolution of car paint catalogs has gone from bulky paper fans to cloud-based databases with artificial intelligence. Traditional flower-fan Fan decks are still used for primary visual evaluation, but they tend to fade over time and cannot convey the complex optical effects of modern enamels. Digital directories are free of this drawback and provide up-to-date information in real time.
Modern software systems, such as AutoRefinish or ColorNetThey allow you to enter the paint code and instantly obtain a recipe for mixing. These systems are integrated with pigment manufacturers databases (PPG, Axalta, Sherwin-Williams), which ensures high accuracy of selection. In addition, digital catalogs often contain photographs of the colors under different lighting, which helps to evaluate the image. metameric color.
| Type of catalogue | Advantages | Deficiencies | precision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper fan | No food, tactile. | Flows, no prescription data. | Low. |
| CD/DVD database | It works without the internet and contains formulas. | Outdated data is difficult to update | Medium |
| Online directories | Relevance, photo of decorations, cloud storage | Requires network connection | Tall. |
| Spectral bases | Accounting for ageing of LCP, high detail | It requires expensive equipment. | Maximum |
When working with digital directories, it is important to update the software regularly. Car manufacturers are constantly releasing new colors, and older versions of the databases may not contain information about the fresh shades released in the current model year. Using an outdated base can lead to an error in the selection of the base pigment.
⚠️ Note: When using digital directories, be sure to calibrate the monitor, as the screen’s color transmission can distort the real hue, creating a false impression of the result.
What is color metameria?
Metameria is an optical effect in which two paint samples look the same at one light source (e.g., daylight) and completely different at another (e.g., under incandescent lamps). A good catalog takes this factor into account.
Selection nuances for metallics and pearls
Paints with effects metallic and mother-of-pearl This is the biggest challenge for colorists. Unlike monochromatic enamels (solid), where color is determined only by pigment, in these coatings, light-reflecting particles play a key role. Aluminum powder in metallics and mica in mother-of-pearl create spatial depth, which varies depending on the viewing angle.
When selecting such colors from the catalog, it is not enough to know only the color code. It is necessary to take into account the size of flakes (particles), their shape and concentration in the paint material. Even a slight deviation in proportions can lead to the fact that in lateral lighting (flop-effect), the new element will look lighter or darker than the main body. This phenomenon is called squabbling.
The process of selecting pearl shades often requires the creation of test colors (spray-outs) and their comparison with the car body at different lighting angles. Professionals use special lamps with a variable angle of light to make sure the effect is identical. The catalog in this case serves only as a starting point for further fine-tuning the recipe.
- ✨ Orientation of the particles: The direction in which the metal particles lie affects brightness. When applying it is important to observe the spraying technique specified in the technological map.
- 💧 Solvent: The evaporation rate of the solvent affects the time that the metal particles spend in the “floating” state, determining their final position in the paint layer.
- 🌡️ Temperature: Chamber temperature and humidity can change the behavior of complex pigments, so catalogs often give recommendations on application conditions.
For complex three-layer coatings (e.g., red mother of pearl on a black substrate), the catalog may offer several options for intermediate layers. The choice of the right option depends on how much the main color of the car burned during operation. Sometimes you need to pick up not only the upper layer, but also adjust the tone of the substrate.
When selecting a metallic always make a test painting on a metal plate and dry it in the same conditions in which the car will dry. Comparison of wet and dry paint is unacceptable.
The influence of the age of the car on the choice of shade
One of the main problems when using the catalog of automotive paints is the natural aging of the paintwork. Over the years of operation under the influence of ultraviolet light, temperature changes and chemical reagents pigments burn outAnd the polish gets muddy. If you paint the part according to the factory code, it will look brighter and richer than the rest of the body, creating the effect of a “patch”.
Professional approach does not mean blindly following the code from the catalog, but its adaptation to the current state of the car. This process is called pick-up Or age-appropriate coloring. The colorist analyzes the degree of burnout of neighboring elements and makes adjustments to the formulation, adding micro-doses of brightening or darkening components.
There are special additives-blends that allow you to simulate the effect of aging or, conversely, restore the depth of color. However, if the color difference is too large, it is sometimes easier and cheaper to repaint by switching to an adjacent part or even the entire element to hide the boundary. The catalog helps to understand the starting point from which you need to start during correction.
⚠️ Never try to pick up paint by eye without spectral analysis if the car is older than 5 years. The factory code no longer corresponds to the real color of the body due to the degradation of polymers.
In some cases, especially with red and blue hues, burnout can be uneven. The line between the burnt and the preserved paint can be noticeable even after polishing. In such situations, the catalogue is used to create an intermediate hue that will smooth the transition and make the difference minimally noticeable to the human eye.
The factory paint code is just the starting point. For cars older than 3 years, computer adjustment of the recipe for the current burnt-out body color is mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I find the paint code only by VIN code online for free?
Complete and accurate databases that link the VIN to the paint code are usually paid and are only available to professional services or dealers. Free online services often only provide general information about the configuration, but not a specific color code, as this information requires access to the manufacturers’ secure servers.
Why is the color code different on the car?
This can occur for several reasons: burnout of the factory coating over time, coloring errors (human factor), differences in pigment batches at the manufacturer, as well as metameria (different color perception under different lighting). Also affected by the application technology and thickness of the layer.
How long does the selected paint last?
In a tightly closed original container, high-quality automotive enamel can be stored from 1 to 3 years without loss of properties, if the temperature regime is observed (usually from +5 to +20 ° C). Before use, the stored paint must be thoroughly mixed and checked on a test painting, since the pigment could precipitate or stratify.
What if the paint code on the plate is not read?
If the plate is damaged, the only reliable way is to contact the official dealer with documents for the car. They can make a request through the factory's internal database. An alternative option is a computer-based paint selection by a specialist using a spectrophotometer, which will analyze the residual color on the body.