Gone are the days when production cars would only come in a handful of basic colours. These days, the colour variations are so specific to auto brands and models that you can only tell them apart by looking at their car colour code.
Because those colour variations are so specific, it can be pretty tricky to find the exact colour again when you need to repaint any part of your car. After all, you don't want one panel of your vehicle to have a different shade compared to the rest of the car, right?
No, the paint has to match perfectly, which is why you’ll need to know how to find your paint code when the time comes.
That’s what this article is all about; it will explore what a car paint code is all about and how to find the one for your car in particular.
Keep on reading!
What Is My Car Paint Code?
Let’s go over the basics. What is a car colour code in the first place?
The colour code is a series of alphabets and numbers that correspond to the exact colour of your car's paint. These codes aren't universal, which means that each auto manufacturer would have its way of expressing the codes.
Ferrari, for example, uses a combination of numbers and Italian names for their car colours (e.g. 607 Verde Silverstone Mica). On the other hand, BMW uses a series of three numbers, a slash, and a fourth number (e.g. 123/4).
Auto Colour Codes Change
As mentioned before, colour codes are not universal. Carmakers follow their own system of assigning alphanumeric characters to their paint codes. So that means the codes can (and often do) change whenever the automakers want them to.
Newer models from a specific year might come with different colour options, and with that, a new set of colour codes.
At the very least, you can expect that each brand will stay consistent with the colour coding system they use.
Why Is It Important to Find the Car Colour Code?
The colour code might not seem important to most people, and in most cases, it usually isn’t. That is until something happens to the exterior of your car that requires the application of new paint.
That could be anything as small as a dent or scratch to a total wreck. If you’re ever in a situation where you need to paint a part of your car, you’ll need to know your vehicle paint code.
Having that code allows you to find the exact shade of paint so that it'll match with the rest of the car.
Imagine how ugly your door might look if you’re painting over a newly-repaired scratch, but the colour is a few shades different from the rest of the door!
Not only is that an eyesore, but you’ll be highlighting the damage with that different shade of paint.
How to Find Your Car Colour Code
There are several ways to find your car's colour code, but they also differ depending on your vehicle's brand and the specific model. You'll typically find the code inside the vehicle, in the manual, or in any other paperwork that lists your car's technical specs.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these places.
Inside the Car Itself
Somewhere inside your car is a placard bolted to the frame, which displays crucial information about the vehicle. It’s the same placard that you refer to when checking your tyre pressure, as well as other details like the car manufacturer, model, and even trim level.
There, you’ll often find the auto colour code as well.
The challenge here is locating the placard, as the placement is sometimes unique to the car brand. Sometimes, it’s in the door jamb. Or, you might find it somewhere under the hood or attached inside the boot.
Car Owner’s Manual
Another place you might find your car colour code is in the owner’s manual. Here, you’re looking for the section that lists your car’s unique identifiers, like your model number and trim package.
Technical Documents Like Service History
In some cases, you might even find the colour code on other technical documents related to your vehicle, such as the service history. Workshops often list down all of the most critical data on those documents, and they sometimes include the auto colour code for your vehicle as well.
Can You Find Your Car's Paint Code with the VIN Number?
Yes, you can find your car’s paint code with your Vehicle Identification Number (or VIN). But wait, it doesn’t work the way you might think it does!
You see, your VIN consists of many different codes put together. They include the codes to identify the car manufacturer, the year they made it, and even the vehicle’s body type. However, it DOES NOT specify the vehicle’s auto colour code.
Instead, the VIN is helpful as a lead to help you track down your car paint code. Remember: the VIN includes details like the exact year, type, and model of your vehicle. You can use that information to call your manufacturer, and they can help you track down the colour code that’s specific to the model you drive.
Besides that, some professional paint shops may have access to databases that can help you track down your car paint code in the same way. Seeing as how they paint cars and deal with colour codes as part of their business, it's safe to assume that their reliability is high in this matter.
You might also find some websites that claim to do the same thing. Still, bear in mind that they might not have the correct colour codes, especially if they’re a free website.
To be on the safe side, it’s always better to trust a colour code provided by the car manufacturer or a professional auto paint shop instead.
Check Us Out for More!
To learn more about how a car paint code works or any other topic related to your car’s exterior, check out Carpart.com.au’s blog. It’s the same website that can help you locate sources for auto spares and accessories. So if you need news regarding the motoring world, want to learn about tips, like to hire an auto technician, or search for car parts, CarPartAU is your one-stop place! Try finding a part the easy way today!
By Ray Hasbollah