Finding the exact shade of paint for your car isn’t just a desire for cosmetic repairs, but often a necessity after an accident or chipping. When you try to pick up enamel "by eye", the result is rarely satisfactory, since even small deviations in the pigment are striking. That is why professionals always recommend relying on the paint-codeIt is tightly tied to a particular instance of the machine.
Many owners mistakenly believe that it is enough to know only the model and year of release, but this is not the case. Within one model, dozens of different shades can be used, which changed from party to party. VIN code (body number) is the key to solving, allowing you to find through official databases or manufacturer plates exactly the color in which your car was painted at the factory.
In this article, we will discuss in detail where to look for this information, how to decipher it and what pitfalls may meet in the process. Understanding the coding system will save you from buying excess paint and disappointment from the inconsistency of tone on the body.
Where to look for the paint code on the body of the car
The first place to look for color information is special identification plates or stickers located in certain areas of the body. They are most often in the hoodAt the driver's door or in the trunk. The location depends on the make and model of your vehicle, so the search may take some time.
Such plates usually contain a lot of technical information: the date of production, the permissible loads on the axles and, of course, the color code. Look for signs like this. Color, Paint, Farb Nr or C/TR. Often, the code is a combination of letters and numbers, for example, 3T0 or NH-797P.
If the plaque in the hood space is not readable due to dirt or corrosion, check the driver's door rack - there stickers are often kept in the best condition.
It is worth noting that on some modern cars, color information can be duplicated on a separate white sticker, which also contains a color. VIN number. This is done for the convenience of service centers, so that you do not have to climb into electronic databases for every minor repair.
- 🚗 At the driver's door (often at the bottom or on the center rack).
- 🔧 In the under-hood space on a splasher or glass of a rack.
- 📦 In the trunk under the mat or on the inside of the lid.
- 📄 In the service book or warranty card (section specifications).
⚠️ Never use aggressive chemistry to clean an old color code plate, as you can erase the numbers and permanently lose information.
Decryption of data through VIN code online
If physical signs on the car are missing, damaged or unreadable, digital methods come to the rescue. VIN code Vehicle Identification Number (VID) is a unique 17-digit identifier that contains encoded information about all car options, including body color.
There are many online services and official portals of manufacturers that allow you to decrypt this number. By entering the VIN in the search bar of a specialized site, you will receive a detailed statement, where the factory code of the paint will be indicated. This is especially true for cars that have been in repainting, where the plates could be replaced or lost.
However, be careful with free “over-buying” services that may provide incomplete or outdated information. It is best to use official parts catalogs (EPCs) or verified databases where information is taken directly from the manufacturer.
Also, when using online decoders, it is important to enter characters correctly. An error in even one sign can result in you getting data from a completely different car. Always double-check. VIN code documents (CTC, PTS) before entering.
Differences in labeling between different manufacturers
Each carmaker uses its own coding system, which often baffles untrained owners. For example, Toyota and Lexus The color code is usually three characters and is in a line. C/TR. The first three characters are the color, the next is the cabin code.
The concern VAG (Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda) the situation is slightly different: the code can consist of 2-4 characters and is often located separately from the VIN-plate, on an additional sticker with a barcode. U BMW and Mercedes-Benz information is also duplicated, but the designations may be Paint No. Or have specific prefixes.
Secret notation in catalogues
In some parts catalogs, color can be denoted not only by an alphanumeric code, but also by a special name, for example, "Alpine White" or "Phantom Black". Knowing the name can help in searching through online stores.
Below is a table with examples of the location and format of codes for popular brands, which will help you navigate faster:
| Make a car | Location of code | Format of designation | Example of code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota / Lexus | Door stand/Underhood | C/TR (3 characters) | 040 / 1G3 |
| Volkswagen / Audi | Sticker in the trunk / Under the hood | LA/LY (2-4 characters) | LY9B / LA7W |
| BMW | Door stand / Under the hood | A-Nr (3 characters) | 300 / 475 |
| Mercedes-Benz | Door stand / Under the hood | Paint No. (3 characters) | 775 / 197 |
It is important to understand that the formats may change depending on the year of the model. Older cars may have different markings from newer ones, so always check the manual for a specific year of release.
Use of catalogues of auto-enamels and color cards
Once you have found the numerical code, the next step is to find the appropriate enamel. There are special services for this. color-card and paint manufacturers catalogues such as Mobihel, R-M, PPG or Duxone. In these catalogs, each factory code corresponds to a specific mixing recipe.
The selection process is as follows: you find in the catalog the brand of your car, then the model and year of release. Next in the list of colors, look for the previously found code. The system will give you the number of the paint on the catalog of the enamell manufacturer, which can be ordered in the store.
☑️ The algorithm of paint selection
However, simply buying a bank with the right number is often not enough. The paint fades out over time in the sun, and the new layer may be different from the old one, even if the code matches perfectly. Therefore, professionals recommend doing computer-selection Considering the burnout of a particular car.
Also, it is worth considering the type of paint: metallic, mother of pearl or ordinary acrylic. The application technology and the number of layers for different types can vary significantly, which also affects the final color.
Problems in color selection and their solution
Even knowing the exact code, you may encounter a situation where the selected paint does not match the body. It's called metameria Or just a difference in shades due to the aging of the paintwork. Solar ultrafilene, reagents and time change the structure of the pigment.
In such cases, you should contact professional colorists. They use spectrophotometers, devices that read color from the surface of your car and make adjustments to the formulation of paint. This allows you to bring the new shade as close as possible to the current state of the body.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to paint a large stain with code-selected paint without first painting on the test surface, the risk of getting a patchwork blanket is very high.
Another problem may be having multiple color codes for the same model in the same year. This is the case when a plant used different batches of paint or changed pigment supplier in the middle of a model year. Always check the date of production of the car.
The matching of the paint code does not guarantee 100% color on age cars due to the natural burnout of the factory coating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you tell the color of a car by the VIN code without examining the car?
Yes, this is possible through official dealerships or specialized online services. However, it is worth considering that if the car was completely repainted by the previous owner, the VIN data will indicate a factory color, which may not coincide with the current one.
What if the color code is lost or destroyed by corrosion?
In this case, there are two ways: search for information on the VIN code through databases or contact a professional colorist for computer color selection directly from the car body.
Why is the color code on the car and in the documents different?
In documents (PTS, CTC), the color is often spelled out with words (for example, "black"), rather than a code. In the case of codes, the discrepancies may be due to an error in registration or a change in color during repainting that has not been officially registered.
How much does a computer-based paint selection cost by code?
The cost of the service varies depending on the region and equipment of the service, but it is usually small. Often, when ordering the manufacture of a certain amount of paint (for example, from 0.5 liters), selection is performed free of charge.