How Much To Fix A Paint Scratch On A Car

How to Find Your Car's Paint Code

Hans/CC0/Pixabay

Whether you want to touch up some chips in your car's paint or refinish a body panel after a fender bender, it's important to find the original paint code if you want the color of the new paint to match the old paint. The paint code for cars isn't always on the same place. It can vary by manufacturer and even by models within a single brand. You can match this paint code to a car color paint chart when you're ready to buy automotive paint.

Where to Find Car Paint Code

The one place most manufacturers put paint codes is in the door jamb of the driver's door. The paint code should appear on a white sticker that's close to the bottom of the jamb. Finding it is as simple as opening the driver's door and looking down along the lower section of the door jamb to find the sticker. Write down the code, or take a picture of it to take to the parts store when buying paint.

The Second Place to Look for Paint Color Codes

If there's no sticker in the driver's door jamb, the windshield VIN tag is the next place to look for the color code. It might appear on the lower right edge of the VIN tag. It's important to track down the correct paint color codes for cars because manufacturers occasionally change a color between years to enhance it, but leave the name the same. This makes shopping for paint colors by name risky when you want a perfect match.

Unusual Places Manufacturers May Put Paint Color Codes

There are spots inside and outside the car where you might find paint code notations, though these are rare compared to the driver's door jamb and windshield VIN tag. These spots include the driver's rear door jamb, the glove box and the sun visor on the passenger side. You might also find paint code stickers on the trunk lid or trunk floor, on the spare tire cover or inside the spare tire well in the trunk.

Online Tool to Find Paint Color Codes

Some sites, such as Automotive Touch Up, publish interactive charts to help customers find the precise color needed. To use them, enter the year, make and model of your car. Choose the color that matches your car's paint from the color chart that comes up after clicking search. You can also choose a brand and navigate through the models to see car diagrams that show the physical locations your car's manufacturer uses.

Check With the Manufacturer

If all else fails, consider contacting your car's manufacturer to request the color code. To do this with a manufacturer, such as Dodge, provide the company's customer assistance department with your VIN number to request a build sheet. The build sheet contains information about every detail that went into building your car, including the paint color code.