What is the paint code for Ford ginger ale?
The short answer is that there is no official Ford paint code publicly listed as “Ginger Ale” in Ford’s standard color catalogs. If you see a car described with that name, it’s likely a dealer label, a misremembered color, or a non-OEM wrap. The actual identifier you need for matching paint is a separate alphanumeric code tied to the vehicle’s year and model.
The question, in fuller detail, centers on how color names translate into codes and where to locate the precise code on a Ford vehicle. Exterior color names are customer-facing, while the paint code is the shop-ready identifier used to mix cans and match repairs. This guide explains how to verify whether “Ginger Ale” is an official Ford color for your car and how to find the true paint code if you’re restoring or touching up a Ford vehicle.
Is there an official Ford color named “Ginger Ale”?
Ford maintains an internal palette of exterior paint colors for each model year, and the public name of a color often differs from the internal code that a shop uses to mix paint. At present, there is no widely documented Ford exterior color in official catalogs that is universally recognized as “Ginger Ale.” If the name appears in marketing materials or dealer listings, it may be a marketing label, a dealer-identified shade, or a miscommunication. The safe way to proceed is to locate the vehicle’s paint code, which is the actual key for color matching.
Where to find the actual paint code on a Ford
To determine the exact paint code, use these practical steps. Knowing the code is essential for accurate color matching, especially if the name shown on paperwork differs from the factory code.
- Inspect the driver’s side door jamb sticker. Look for a line labeled Exterior Paint, Exterior Color, or Paint. The code is usually a short alphanumeric string (often two to three characters).
- Check the vehicle’s VIN/trim tag in other locations such as the glove box label, the underside of the hood, or near the engine bay; some models place the code in these areas.
- Consult the window sticker or build sheet if you have access to the original configuration. The color name there may differ from the code, but the code itself will be listed.
- For older or heavily customized models, the original paint code may be on a separate factory card or documentation stored with maintenance records or in the owner’s manual pouch.
- If you suspect a repaint, the original factory code may still exist on a hidden tag, but color-matching you’ll rely on current lab measurements rather than the written name.
Knowing where to look increases your odds of finding the correct code, which is the definitive key for color matching.
How Ford paint codes are structured and how to interpret them
Paint codes on Ford vehicles are typically short, alphanumeric identifiers that correspond to a specific shade in Ford’s color catalog. The code itself is what a body shop uses to select or mix paint, not the customer-facing name you’ll see in brochures. The same color may have different marketing names across years or markets, while the code remains the reliable reference for matching.
- Expect a two- to three-character code that uniquely identifies the color for that year and model. The code is usually found on the door tag or other factory labeling rather than on the vehicle’s exterior surface.
- The color name displayed in brochures or window stickers may not precisely correspond to the internal code, and sometimes regional or dealer-specific names can differ from the factory code.
- When matching color for repairs, rely on the paint code and consult Ford’s color reference guides or a professional paint mixer to ensure exact shade, finish, and code compatibility.
Understanding that the code is the primary reference helps prevent mismatches, especially when the color name seems unfamiliar or ambiguous.
What to do if you can’t locate the code or the car has been repainted
If the label is missing, unreadable, or the car has undergone repainting, use these approaches to identify the correct color match.
- Contact Ford Customer Service or your local Ford dealer with the VIN and photos of any labels. They can often pull the original paint code from the vehicle’s build data.
- Visit an authorized Ford dealership or a reputable body shop equipped with Ford color reference materials and spectrophotometers. They can match the color by measuring the current paint and cross-referencing it with Ford’s catalog.
- Request a professional color match using a modern color-matching system. Even if the original code is unknown, a skilled shop can find the closest match to the existing paint and provide a compatible code for future touch-ups.
- Review service records or prior owner notes for any mention of the paint color code or name that could help locate the right code, keeping in mind that non-OEM repaint work may not reflect the factory code.
With the code in hand, you can ensure precise color reproduction, whether you’re touching up a small area or repainting a larger section.
Summary
In short, there is no universally recognized Ford paint code officially named “Ginger Ale” within Ford’s public color catalogs. The reliable route is to locate the vehicle’s actual paint code on the factory labels or build documents, or to have a professional identify and match the color using measurement tools and Ford’s color guides. If you share the year, model, and landscape of the color as you see it, I can help you narrow down whether “Ginger Ale” corresponds to a known Ford shade for that specific configuration and point you toward the exact code to use for matching.
