Car color "White Night"** - one of the most popular shades among owners of domestic and foreign cars. This color combines the elegance of classic white with a subtle cool undertone that gives the car a modern and stylish look. However, when repairing a body or partial painting, many are faced with a problem: how to accurately determine paint numberto avoid different tones?

In this article we will look at where to look for the color code. "White Night"** on your car, how to correctly decipher it, what analogues exist from different manufacturers, and we will give practical recommendations for preparation and painting. You will also learn why even original paint can give a different shade and how to avoid this.

Where to look for the “White Night” paint number on a car

The color code is usually indicated on nameplate (plate) with the technical data of the car. Its location depends on the make and model of the car, but there are several standard places:

  • 🚗 Under the hood: on the pillar, the inside of the fender or the partition between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment.
  • 🚪 On the doorway: on the driver's side (most often on the B-pillar or threshold).
  • 🔧 In the trunk: under the spare wheel or on the inside of the cover.
  • 📄 In the docs: in the vehicle title or service book (rare, but it does occur).

On the nameplate, the paint code can be indicated in different ways:

  • Color: 040 or Paint: 040 - a standard designation for many brands.
  • Ext. Color (external color) - on some American and Japanese cars.
  • Farbe - on German cars (for example, Volkswagen or BMW).
Important: sometimes there is a code next to the color code shade (for example, 040/A or 040-2), which clarifies the white option. It also needs to be taken into account when selecting!
⚠️ Attention: By car LADA (including models Granta, Vesta, XRAY) code "White Night"** most often denoted as 040, but can also occur as 646 (for newer modifications). Check this before ordering paint!
📊 What brand is your car?
LADA
KIA/Hyundai
Volkswagen
Toyota
Other

Decoding the “White Night” paint code from different manufacturers

The same shade may have different designations for different brands. Below is a table with the most common color codes "White Night"**:

Manufacturer Paint code Shade name Notes
LADA (AvtoVAZ) 040 White night Standard for Granta, Kalina, Priora
KIA/Hyundai P7L or U7L Snow White Pearl Pearlescent option, requires 3-layer application
Volkswagen LB9A Candy White Used on Polo, Golf, Passat
Toyota 040 or 070 Super White II May vary by year of manufacture
Renault BLANC GLACIER (360) Glacier White For Duster, Logan, Sandero

Why can one code give different shades? The fact is that paint manufacturers (for example, Mobihel, Sikkens, PPG) use their own recipes for the same code. For example, 040 from AvtoVAZ in the databases Mobihel and Duxone may vary slightly in tone. Therefore, when ordering, specify not only the code, but also paint manufacturer!

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If you are painting a part partially (for example, a bumper), order paint with a margin of 20-30% more - this will help avoid different colors when tinting.

How to choose “White Night” paint without a code: 3 working methods

What to do if the paint code plate is lost or unreadable? Here are proven selection methods:

  1. By VIN code. Many online services (for example, AutoCod or VinDecoderz) can determine the color by VIN. Enter it into the form and the system will show the original code. Minus: not all databases support Russian brands.
  2. Spectrophotometer. A device for computer color selection is available in most car services. It reads the shade from the body and gives a paint recipe. Cost: from 500 to 1500 rubles.
  3. Visual selection. In auto paint stores (for example, "Autocolor" or "Car paint") there are catalogs with samples. Compare them in daylight - artificial lighting distorts the shade!

Critical mistake: choosing paint based on a photo on the Internet. The hue on the screen depends on your monitor settings and will never be accurate!

What to do if the paint is faded?

If the car has been sitting in the sun for a long time, the original code may not be suitable - the white color often turns yellow. In this case:

1. Take a paint sample from a hidden area (for example, under the hood).

2. Ask the service to do the tinting taking into account fading (usually blue pigment is added to neutralize yellowness).

3. Paint a test part (for example, a gas tank cap) before the main work.

Step-by-step instructions: how to paint a part in the color “White Night”

If you decide to paint yourself, follow this algorithm. Important: white color requires perfect surface preparation - any defects will be visible!

Remove rust and old paint|Fill dents and scratches|Sand the surface (P800-P1200 grit)|Degrease the part with white spirit|Apply primer (2-3 layers)-->

Materials and tools:

  • 🔨 Spray gun with nozzle 1.3-1.4 mm (for white paint).
  • 🎨 Paint 040 (or equivalent) + hardener + solvent (see proportions on the can).
  • 🧴 Primer 2K (for better adhesion).
  • 🛠 Varnish HS (high hardness) - for protection and shine.

Painting process:

  1. Apply base layer paint (1-2 passes with an interval of 10-15 minutes). White color is often required 3-4 layers for complete coverage.
  2. Let the paint dry (20-30 minutes at 20°C).
  3. Apply varnish in 2 layers with intermediate drying.
  4. Polish the surface after 24 hours (use paste 3M or Farecla).
⚠️ Attention: When painting plastic parts (bumper, moldings), use a special plasticizer for soil. Without it, the paint may crack within a few months!

Common mistakes when painting “White Night” and how to avoid them

Even experienced painters face problems when working with white. Here are the most common mistakes:

  • 🌡 Failure to comply with temperature conditions. White paint must be applied when 18-22°C. At low temperatures it lays down like shagreen, at high temperatures it bubbles.
  • 🎨 The paint is too thick. Dilute it strictly according to the instructions. For Mobihel this is usually 2:1 (paint: solvent), for Sikkens — 4:1:1 (paint:hardener:solvent).
  • ☀️ Painting in direct sunlight. The paint will dry unevenly, leading to stains. Work in the shade or in a box.
  • 🔍 Poor surface preparation. Even micro scratches are visible on the white color. Grind the part to a “zero” state!

How to check the quality of painting? After drying, inspect the part from different angles and under different lighting:

  • 💡 Fluorescent lamp: will show different tones.
  • 🌑 Shadow: will reveal varnish defects (for example, “orange peel”).
  • 🔦 Flashlight at an acute angle: will highlight unsanded areas.
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If you are painting only one part (for example, a fender), be sure to polish the adjacent body parts. This will help even out the shine and hide the boundary between the old and new paint.

Caring for a White Night car: how to maintain its shine

White color requires special care - it gets dirty faster and loses its shine. Here are some rules:

  • 🚿 Washing: use contactless shampoos (for example, Karcher or Sonax) and soft microfiber sponges. Hard brushes scratch the varnish.
  • 🧴 Polishing: carry out protective polishing 2 times a year (spring and autumn). For white colors, pastes without abrasives are suitable (for example, 3M Perfect-It).
  • 🚗 Protection: apply ceramic coating or “liquid glass” - this prevents fading and makes cleaning easier.
  • 🅿️ Parking: try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Use glass covers or park in the shade.

What to do if the white color has turned yellow? This is a common problem due to fading of the varnish. Solutions:

  • 🔄 Polishing with abrasive paste (for example, Menzerna PO85RD 3.02) - removes the top layer of varnish.
  • 🎨 Applying blue toner (a special pigment that neutralizes yellowness).
  • 🛠 Complete repainting - if the yellowness is deep.

Analogs of “White Night” paint: what to choose if there is no original

Sometimes original paint is difficult to find (for example, for older models). In this case, you can use analogues from other manufacturers. The main thing is to database code coincided or was as close as possible.

Original code Manufacturer of analogue Analogue code Notes
040 (LADA) Mobihel 040.00 Full match, suitable for all AvtoVAZ models
P7L (KIA) PPG 9360 Requires correction by spectrophotometer
LB9A (VW) Sikkens U2010 For Candy White with mother of pearl
070 (Toyota) Duxone 220 Suitable for Super White II until 2018

How to choose the best analogue?

  • 🔍 Compare composition of pigments — the paint card must indicate TiO2 (titanium dioxide) no less 20%.
  • 📏 Check it out gloss level — optimal for “White Night” 85-90 units by gloss meter.
  • 💰 Price does not always equal quality - sometimes cheap paints (for example, "Bright"**) give better coverage than premium ones.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about White Night paint

Is it possible to mix paints from different manufacturers (for example, Mobihel and Sikkens)?

No, you can't do this. Different brands use different binders and pigments, which may react. As a result, the paint can:

  • 🔥 Leak when drying.
  • 🎨 Change the shade (for example, become grayish).
  • 🧊 Will crack in a few months.

An exception is if you know for sure that both manufacturers use the same database (for example, PPG and Nexa Autocolor compatible).

How much does it cost to paint a car “White Night” at a service center?

The cost depends on the amount of work:

  • 🚗 Local painting (bumper, fender): from 5,000 to 12,000 rubles.
  • 🎨 Full body painting: from 30,000 to 70,000 rubles (depending on the class of service).
  • 🔧 Polishing after painting: from 3,000 rubles.

Advice: if your budget is limited, paint only the visible parts (hood, roof, trunk), and polish the remaining elements.

Why does White Night look gray after painting?

This is a common problem that occurs for several reasons:

  1. Not enough layers of paint. White color requires a minimum 3-4 layers for complete coverage.
  2. Poor lighting when painting. In a dark box it is difficult to control the uniformity of application.
  3. Poor quality varnish. Cheap varnishes often give a cloudy effect. Use HS-varnishes (for example, Sikkens Autoclear).
  4. Dirty solvent. Always filter the paint before adding it to the spray gun!

How to fix it? Polish the surface with an abrasive paste (e.g. Menzerna PO203S), and if the grayness remains, repaint the part.

Is it possible to spray paint a car on White Night?

Technically yes, but the result will be worse than with professional painting. If you decide to use a spray can:

Buy paint and varnish of the same brand (for example, Mobihel)|Paint at a temperature of 20-25°C|Apply thin layers from a distance of 20-30 cm|Wait 10-15 minutes after each layer|Secure the result with 2 layers of varnish-->

Important: cans are only suitable for local repairs (scratches, chips). To paint the entire part, it is better to use a spray gun.

How to care for your car after painting it “White Night”?

First 30 days After painting, the varnish has not yet gained full strength. During this period:

  • 🚫 Do not wash your car using automatic car washes (brushes will damage fresh varnish).
  • 🚫 Avoid chemicals (for example, wax or polish) - they can dissolve the varnish.
  • 🚫 Don't park under direct sunlight for a long time.
  • 🚫 Do not use abrasive sponges when washing.

After a month, protective coatings (ceramics, polish) can be applied.