Finding the exact paint color for your car can be challenging, but is important if you ever need to do paint touch-ups or repairs. The original paint code is key, but even with the code getting an exact color match can be difficult. In this article, we’ll go over some steps you can take to identify your car’s paint color and find the closest match possible.
Check Your Car’s Paint Code
The easiest way to identify your car’s original paint color is to find the paint code. This is typically a 3 or 4 digit code that the manufacturer assigned to that specific color. The paint code can usually be found in one of a few locations:
- Inside the driver’s side door jamb – Check the door sticker or plate that includes details like the VIN number and manufacturing info. The paint code may be listed here.
- Under the hood – Check the underside of the hood or around the engine bay for a sticker with the paint code.
- Trunk or hatch – Look under the cargo area or inside the rear hatch for a manufacturer sticker with details including paint code.
- Glove box – Some cars have the paint code listed in the owner’s manual inside the glove box.
Once you locate the paint code, write it down exactly as shown. This 4 to 5 digit code is your key to finding the precise color.
Find the Color Name
The paint code alone is usually not enough to get an accurate name for the color. The next step is to determine what color name matches that code. There are a few ways to do this:
- Check owner’s manual – The color name may be listed with the paint code.
- Contact the dealer – Give them your make, model, year and paint code and ask for the color.
- Check online resources – There are databases online where you can look up the paint code and find the color name.
Online databases like PaintRef.com allow you to easily lookup the paint name based on your vehicle’s specifics and paint code. This can give you an exact name like “Black Sapphire” or “Alpine White”.
Locate Touch Up Paint
Once you know the precise color name, you can find automotive touch up paint that matches. There are a few options for obtaining the right touch up paint:
- Dealership – The dealership that sells your vehicle brand can mix touch up paint based on your color code.
- Auto parts stores – Stores like AutoZone or O’Reilly can look up your color and provide touch up paint.
- Online – Websites like AutomotiveTouchup.com sell touch up paint for most vehicle makes and models.
- Paint supplier – A shop like Sherwin-Williams may be able to custom mix automotive paint based on your specs.
Touch up paint from the dealership or an automotive specialty store is recommended for the closest match. Generic touch up paints won’t provide as accurate of a color match.
Consider a Paint Match Service
For more extensive paint jobs, a color match service may be necessary to get the factory original shade. Places like paint supply shops, body shops and dealers can provide a color match:
- They will use a paint scanner to read and analyze your existing paint color.
- This data gets entered into a computer with custom paint mixing formulas.
- The formula produces a paint that is nearly identical to the OEM color.
Paint matching gauges the current faded color to determine the original hue. This achieves better accuracy than using the color code alone.
Test and Verify the Match
Once you obtain the touch up paint, it’s important to test that the color truly matches the original paint on your car. Things to look out for:
- Compare in natural daylight – The color may look slightly off under indoor lights.
- Check different panels – Test spots may vary between exterior parts that were painted separately.
- Allow paint to dry – The true color won’t be apparent until the paint has dried fully.
- Hold next to original – Hold a brush coated in touch up paint right next to the car’s paint to spot discrepancies.
If the touch up paint appears noticeably different from the factory paint, you may need a professional paint match service for greater accuracy.
Conclusion
Finding your exact vehicle paint color for repairs involves tracking down the manufacturer’s paint code, determining the color name, obtaining touch up paint, and verifying the match is correct. With the right code and fresh paint from reputable auto suppliers, it is possible to achieve excellent color accuracy. Getting a precise match requires effort but is important for maintaining the look and value of your vehicle.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Find paint code | Check driver door jamb, under hood, trunk, glove box for 4-5 digit code |
| 2. Determine color name | Use owner’s manual, dealer, or online resources to match code to color |
| 3. Get touch up paint | From dealer, auto store or online in exact color name |
| 4. Consider paint match | For larger jobs may need scanner to color match |
| 5. Verify correct match | Test in daylight on multiple panels before use |
