How to Find Your Car’s Paint Code for a Perfect Match & 3 Color Matching Tips

Where to Find the Paint Code for Your Car

Car color codes are most easily found on your vehicle information sticker, usually located on your dash, in the trunk, or inside your door jamb. This sticker contains all sorts of valuable information about your vehicle, including the vehicle identification number (VIN), tire type and ideal pressure, max load capacity, and, of course, your car’s paint code.

The color code is usually labeled Ext Pt. or C. It’s either a mix of letters and numbers or simply a string of numbers.

How to Find Your Car’s Paint Code

Every vehicle manufacturer operates differently, so how to find your car’s paint code varies, given your make and model. The vehicle information sticker is still your best bet, so check those spots we mentioned above:

• The dashboard
• The door jamb
• The trunk

If you find nothing after checking the spots where you usually find the color code on a car, there may be other options.

Can You Find the Car Paint Code with the VIN Number?

It’s possible. How do you find the paint code for your car with the VIN? Reach out to your local dealership and ask them if they can look up the paint code in their database with the VIN. Certain websites also provide this service.

3 Tips for Color Matching

What if you can’t find the color code or your vehicle was repainted at some point? You’re not entirely out of luck. Try these options.

1. Bring a Photo to a Custom Mixer

You’ll want to follow some basic steps to ensure your photo is as accurate as possible. Wash your car well, and aim to take the picture under natural lighting to avoid a glare. Even in the best conditions, however, you’re unlikely to find a custom paint mixer willing to make guarantees based on a photo. They’ll do their best, but the match may not be exact.

2. Search Your Year, Make, and Model

This one won’t help if your car was professionally repainted. However, it may still have the original paint job. If so, you should be able to go to an online database with basic information like the make and model year to acquire the car’s color code. Hopefully, there weren’t different shades of the same color produced for your model that year, or if there were, they might be different enough that you can pick your shade between the two.

3. Ask Our Quality-Assured Experts

When in doubt, ask our experts! Many considerations go into finding the perfect color match, and you can trust our quality-driven experts to restore or refresh your ride as needed. Factors include:

• The size of the vehicle area needing a paint match
• The condition of the existing paint on the vehicle
• Residual gloss or shine on the vehicle
• Whether metallics or additives are needed

When seeking multiple opinions on the best color match, it’s essential to note that color naming systems and specific paint offerings differ with each location. If you’re searching for your perfect paint match, explore our basic, preferred, and premium paint services today.

Turn to Maaco for a Free Estimate

When it’s time to retouch your paint job, or if you need body work, visit your nearest Maaco. We have the expertise to make your car look great again, and we’ll do it at a fair price. Use our online estimator tool to get an idea of what it would cost to paint your vehicle.