Car owners AvtoVAZ are often faced with the need for precise selection of enamel during local body repairs. Even a small scratch on a door or fender requires careful restoration so that the new layer of coating does not differ from the factory shade. The problem is that the palette of the Togliatti plant has hundreds of options, and it is almost impossible to visually determine the desired tone.
To solve this problem, special markings are used, which are applied at the manufacturer. Exactly paint number allows colorists to mix components in the correct proportions and get the perfect result. In this article we will look in detail where to look for this information on the Lada Granta, how to decipher the codes and what to look for when ordering a repair kit.
Identification plate location
The first place where the owner of a Lada Granta should look is the space under the hood. On most models manufactured after 2012, the nameplate is attached to the mudguard on the right A-pillar (passenger side). It is a metal or plastic plate with embossed data.
The second location option is the upper part of the right body pillar in the doorway. To see the markings, you must open the front passenger door. Pay attention to the lower part of the pillar, closer to the sills. There may be a sticker or metal plate with technical information.
This plate contains many numbers and letters, including the VIN, vehicle weight and load ratings. However, we are interested in the line marked as Color or Paint. Next to this designation, a three-digit numeric code is usually indicated, for example, 100 or 690. This is the desired shade identifier.
- 🔍 Check the right mudguard under the hood - this is the most common place.
- 🚪 Inspect the body pillar near the open passenger door.
- 📸 Take a photo of the sign on your phone so that the data is always at hand.
⚠️ Attention: If the plate is missing or the data on it is not readable due to corrosion, do not try to scrub with aggressive chemicals - you may completely erase the remaining markings. In this case, it is better to contact an official dealer with a request for the VIN code.
Before going to the colorist, wipe the sign with a damp cloth to make sure the symbols are legible. Dirt and oil often hide the last digits of the code.
Decoding popular Grant color codes
Factory palette Lada is constantly updated, but some colors remain timeless classics over many years of model release. Knowing the digital code, you can easily determine exactly what the color is called in the catalog and how common it is. This is especially important when purchasing pencil or aerosol repair kits.
For example, code 100 corresponds to the color Snow Queen, a popular silver-gray shade with a metallic effect. And code 690 is the famous “Crystal”, a light silver metallic, which is often confused with the previous one, although the difference is noticeable in person. You can’t make a mistake here, since their pigments are different.
For convenience, we have compiled a table with the most common colors on Russian roads. This data will help you quickly navigate, even if you don’t have an enamel catalog at hand.
| Paint code | Color name | Coverage type | Years of manufacture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | Snow Queen | Metallic | 2012–present |
| 690 | Crystal | Metallic | 2013–present |
| 129 | Coriander | Metallic | 2015–2018 |
| 460 | Continental | Metallic | 2016–2019 |
| 240 | White cloud | Acrylic | 2012–present |
It is worth noting that metallized paints require more complex application technology, including the mandatory use of varnish. Acrylic enamels, such as White Cloud, are often solid (no pearlescent), making spot repairs easier but making scratches more visible in contrast.
Search for color by car VIN code
If the physical plate is damaged or lost, the only reliable source of information is VIN code. This 17-digit identifier is unique for each vehicle and contains encoded information about the configuration, production date and body color.
It is impossible to independently decipher the color by VIN code “in your head”, since this requires access to factory databases AvtoVAZ. However, there are proven ways to get this information online. You can use official services or third-party spare parts catalogs.
One reliable method is the use of electronic spare parts catalogs. By entering the VIN into the search bar for these systems, you will receive a detailed body diagram that will include the paint code that matches your specific build. This eliminates the human factor and errors when reading an erased sign.
Where else can I find the VIN?
The VIN code is duplicated in the vehicle registration certificate (VRC) and vehicle passport (PTS). However, the color code is usually not indicated in the documents; it is the 17-digit body number that is needed to search in the databases.
Features of paint selection for different years of manufacture
Lada Granta has been produced for more than ten years, and during this time the painting technology and enamels formulation may have changed. Even if the color code remains the same (for example, 100 "Snow Queen"), the shade on a 2013 car and a 2023 car may differ slightly. This has to do with pigment suppliers and equipment setup.
When ordering paint from a specialized computer selection store, be sure to indicate the year of manufacture of the car. Colorists often have fan charts of fade patterns and can adjust the recipe to match your specific body tone. Old paint will fade in the sun, and new paint, mixed to the factory standard, may look brighter.
It is also worth considering that the enamel layer may lie differently on different body parts. For example, horizontal surfaces (hood, roof) fade more than vertical surfaces (doors, pillars). Therefore local repair often requires shading of the transition boundaries.
- 📅 Specify the year of manufacture of the car when ordering paint for accurate adjustments.
- 🎨 Consider the degree of burnout of the old coating before painting.
- 🧪 Request painting on a sample before starting the main work.
⚠️ Attention: Never rely on the color name alone. The phrases “silver” or “gray” mean nothing to the colorist. Only a digital code or a sample from the gas tank door guarantees an accurate hit.
Preparation for local body repair
After you found out paint code and purchased the necessary materials, the preparation stage begins. The quality of the repair depends 80% on how correctly you prepare the surface. Dirt, grease or oxides will cause the new enamel to peel off quickly.
First, you need to degrease the damaged area with a special compound (anti-silicone). Then the rust and old varnish are removed if deep restoration is required. For small chips, it is enough to carefully clean the edges of the damage to remove loose particles.
It is important to ensure the correct temperature conditions. It is best to paint a car at an air temperature of +15 to +25 degrees Celsius. High humidity or direct sunlight can ruin the result, causing dullness or blisters on the surface.
☑️ Checklist before painting
Common mistakes when determining color
Many owners make typical mistakes when trying to save time or money at the information search stage. The most common of them is trying to choose the color “by eye” in an auto enamels store. The human eye can distinguish hundreds of shades, and without a spectrometer or code, error is almost inevitable.
Another mistake is ignoring the paint lot number. Even if you know the 690 code, you should understand that different paint cans may differ. If you are painting an entire element (for example, an entire door), use paint from one batch. If you touch up chips, the difference may be less noticeable, but it still exists.
Also, you should not trust data from unverified sources on the Internet. Colors may be named the same in different catalogs, but have different digital markings. Always double-check information from multiple sources or check the placard on your vehicle.
An accurate paint code is the foundation of a quality repair. Saving time at this stage will result in double the cost of redoing the work.
Is it possible to choose paint without a code, just based on a photo?
Selection from a photograph is possible only in specialized laboratories using a spectrophotometer, and even this gives an error. A regular phone photo distorts colors due to camera settings and lighting, so this method is not suitable for real repairs.
What to do if the paint code is completely erased?
If the code on the plate is not readable, the only option is to remove the gas filler flap or other removable body part and take it to a computer paint matching center. There, using a spectrum, the exact composition of the enamel will be measured.
Is the paint code different for plastic and metal?
Yes, the paint code indicates the color, but the technology for applying it to plastic (bumpers) and metal (doors) may differ. Plastics often require special elastic additives or primers to prevent the coating from cracking when subjected to vibration, although the color code remains the same.
How long does the selected paint last?
In a closed container, subject to temperature conditions (from +5 to +25 degrees), selected enamel can be stored for up to 2-3 years. Before use, it must be thoroughly shaken and the viscosity checked, since pigments tend to settle to the bottom.