How to Find Your Car's Color Code

Finding the color code of your car is essential for various reasons such as ordering touch-up paint, getting bodywork done, or ensuring consistency in modifications. This guide will provide comprehensive steps to accurately locate and identify your car’s color code.

Check Your Car’s Owner Manual

The first and easiest place to look for the color code is in the car’s owner’s manual. Automakers usually list the color code along with other specifications and information about the car.

Look for a Sticker or Plate in the Car

Car manufacturers often place a sticker or a metal plate in several possible locations within your car:

• Driver’s Side Door: Look on the door jamb or on the door itself for a sticker/plaque.
• Engine Bay: A metal plate or sticker inside the engine compartment can hold vital information including the paint code.
• Trunk: Check the underside of the trunk lid or in the trunk space for a sticker.
• Glovebox: Some cars have the sticker inside the glovebox.

These locations can vary depending on the manufacturer and model, so it may take some hunting. The sticker or plate typically lists the paint code along with other production details.

Online Research

If physical checks don’t yield results, the next best step is to use your car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This unique number can be used to search online databases that will tell you the specific color code of your car. Websites like your car manufacturer’s official site or automotive parts retailers often provide tools where you can enter your VIN to retrieve this information.

Contact Your Dealership

If all else fails, your local dealership can assist in identifying your car’s paint code. Make sure to have your VIN handy as they will need this information to precisely pinpoint your color code.

Example of Finding a Color Code

Let’s say you own a Ford Mustang. Typically, you would find the color code next to the barcode, which is located on the driver’s side door jamb sticker. The code might be labeled as “Color” followed by a combination of letters and numbers.

Visual Aids

Here are some images showing typical label positions:

Conclusion

Finding your car’s paint code shouldn’t be a hassle. Start with your owner's manual or check the common places where stickers or plates are located. If you’re still having trouble, resort to online tools or contact your dealership. With the right paint code, you can confidently proceed with painting projects, touch-ups, and restorations.