How do I find my custom paint code?
Finding your vehicle's custom paint code is essential for touch-ups, repairs, or complete repaints. This code ensures that the color matches perfectly, maintaining the aesthetic integrity of your car. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to locate your custom paint code effectively.
Why Knowing Your Paint Code is Important
Your vehicle's paint code is a unique identifier that specifies the exact color used on your car. Here are a few reasons why it's crucial to know this code:
- Color Matching: Ensures that any paint repairs blend seamlessly with the existing paint.
- Resale Value: Maintaining the original color can help preserve your vehicle's value.
- Customization: If you're looking to customize your vehicle, knowing the original paint code can help you choose complementary colors.
Where to Find Your Custom Paint Code
There are several common locations where you can find your vehicle's paint code:
- Driver's Side Door Jamb: Open the driver's side door and look for a sticker or metal plate on the door frame. The paint code is often listed here.
- Under the Hood: Check the engine bay for a label on the firewall or near the strut towers. This label may also contain the paint code.
- Owner's Manual: Your vehicle's owner manual may have information on where to find the paint code.
- Trunk Area: Some manufacturers place the paint code on a label inside the trunk, often near the spare tire.
Using the Paint Code
Once you've located your paint code, you can use it in several ways:
- Order Touch-Up Paint: Many auto parts stores and online retailers offer touch-up paint that matches your specific code.
- Professional Repairs: Provide the paint code to your auto body shop for accurate color matching during repairs.
- Custom Paint Jobs: If you're considering a custom paint job, share the code with your painter to ensure they have a reference for the original color.
Conclusion
Knowing how to find your custom paint code is a valuable skill for any vehicle owner. Whether you're touching up scratches or planning a full repaint, having the correct paint code ensures that your car looks its best. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at Kevin's Autos!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to find paint code in owners manual?
The owner's manual is a good place to start. It often contains important information about your vehicle, including the code. Look for a section that mentions the paint or exterior color options. Open the driver's side door or passenger side door, and look for a sticker or label on the door jamb.
Can custom car paint be matched?
To ensure that your car's new paint achieves a perfect match, your technicians may use a device called a spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer measures the light waves that bounce off of your car's exterior. By measuring these waves, the spectrophotometer can tell the technician the exact color of the paint.
How to color match car paint without code?
If obtaining a sample to color-match at your local paint store isn't an option, you can utilize the latest in color-matching apps to match your paint as closely as possible. Use a color-matching tool like the Nix Mini 2 or Datacolor ColorReader EZ.
How do I match my car paint code?
Use the paint guide to confirm that your vehicle still uses its original color. If you're not sure, get a second opinion. Custom paint mixers will take a photo if that's all you have, but they don't guarantee suitable matches. A better way to match the color would be to use a spectrophotometer color matching device.
How do I find the exact paint code for my car?
All modern vehicles will have their paint code on the bodywork somewhere, most commonly located on the door jamb, door frame or door hinge.
What is my paint code by VIN Ford?
VIN tags contain a lot of information and numerous abbreviated headings. The paint code will be located underneath the barcode and may be prefixed by “EXT PNT,” which stands for exterior paint. Descriptions like Oxford White won't be on the sticker; instead, it will be Z1 or M6887A/Z1.
How can I find my paint code?
Find your vehicle's paint code located on your vehicle's door jamb label. The exterior paint code will be labeled as EXT PNT followed by two characters. Note: Older vehicles may have more than two characters.
Are car paint codes universal?
Paint codes are not universal; they refer to a unique paint color within a collection of colors. The black on your Ford and your neighbor's Dodge might look the same, but the code for the two colors is completely different.
Can I get my paint code from the VIN?
Your car's VIN gives you a lot of information about your vehicle, but it won't give you your paint code to find your car's touch up paint. So, where can you go to find automotive paint color? Most vehicles have paint codes listed inside the driver's door jamb.
How to find paint code by VIN Toyota?
When looking at the VIN sticker on your Tacoma, it isn't always easy to spot the color code at first. But Toyota has made it as straightforward as possible by placing the code on the left-hand side of the tag right underneath the bar code.
