How to Find Your Car's Paint Code

Most manufacturers place the paint code on a sticker or metal plate somewhere in the vehicle. The most common locations are: the driver-side door jamb (the sticker on the edge of the door or the B-pillar), the glove box lid or inner wall, the trunk lid or spare tire well, and under the hood near the firewall or strut tower. The paint code is usually printed alongside other vehicle information like the VIN, manufacturing date, and trim option codes. It's often labeled as 'C/TR' (Color/Trim), 'Paint', 'EXT COL' (Exterior Color), or simply a stand-alone code.

Toyota / Lexus: Driver-side door jamb. Usually starts with a number, e.g., 1F7 (Classic Silver), 3T3 (Barcelona Red). Honda / Acura: Driver-side door jamb sticker. Codes like NH-731P (Crystal Black Pearl), B-588P (Aegean Blue). Ford / Lincoln: Driver-side door jamb sticker. Listed as 'EXT PNT' — codes like UX (Iconic Silver), D1 (Carbonized Gray). GM / Chevrolet / GMC: Driver-side door jamb label. Code listed as 'BC/CC' — codes like GBA (Black), G7C (Red Hot). BMW: Under the hood on the right strut tower. Codes like A90 (Brilliant White), 475 (Black Sapphire). Mercedes-Benz: Inside the driver door on a sticker. Codes like 040 (Black), 149 (Polar White). Volkswagen / Audi: Inside the trunk on a sticker. Codes like LC9Z (Deep Black), LY9T (Brilliant Black). Nissan / Infiniti: Driver-side door jamb. Codes like QAB (Brilliant Silver), KH3 (Super Black).

The paint code plate contains more than just the color code. Here's what each element means: The paint code identifies the exact pigment formula — this is what paint shops use to mix your color. The trim code identifies the interior color. The variant code (on some brands) identifies whether the car has a tri-coat, metallic, or pearl finish. Some vehicles have multiple paint codes if they have two-tone paint. Always match the code to the specific body area you're repainting.

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you have several options: Use the VIN — enter it into our free VIN decoder at tyntz.net to look up the original factory paint code. Call the dealer — any authorized dealership can look up the code using your VIN number. Check the owner's manual — some manufacturers print the paint code on the window sticker or in the manual. Use spectrophotometer matching — professional body shops can scan the existing paint and match it electronically.

Always use the OEM paint code, not a 'visual match' from a color chart. UV exposure and age cause paint to fade — consider a professional spray-out card to verify the match before painting the entire panel. For metallic and pearl finishes, spray technique matters as much as the formula. Ask for a basecoat/clearcoat system rather than single-stage for the best results on modern vehicles. If your vehicle is older than 15 years, the paint may have faded significantly — a custom tinting adjustment may be needed for a seamless blend.