Matching Car Paint Without Code (2024)

If you are unfortunate enough to scratch your car and need a quick paint cover-up, sometimes it can be really confusing as to what the actual colour code of your car is. You will usually find it on the inside of the driver's door, but sometimes it can't be found anywhere; leaving you wondering how you resolve your paint problem. Some services will offer to combine shades to try and find the perfect colour, but even this won't resemble the exact colour that your vehicle came in when it was brand new.

For this reason, driver's tend to either leave the scratch or struggle to find a resolution. This blog will explain exactly how you can match car paint without a code.

Why do you need to find your car paint code?

Scratches

If your car gets scratched by an individual or just through genericwear and tear, many drivers feel that it's necessary to have the scratches covered up. Especially, when coming to sell the vehicle if you own it.

Weathering

Weathering is inevitable, so having a touchup is common practice. Making the car look newer and fresher.

Collisions

If you were to be caught in a collision, some of the body parts of your car may need to be replaced or restored.

To Colour Primer Parts

When new parts are ordered for your vehicle it will come in a primer, and the manufacturer/supplier will need to know what car paint code they need to match the colour with your vehicle.

Matching car paint without code


Here are some of the ways in which you can find vehicles paint without a code:Check service history of the vehicle

The first way in which you can potentially find a code is to check the service history of the vehicle, it should be displayed there.

Check owners manual

Similar to checking the service history, checking your owners manual may also direct you to the vehicles paint code.

Research your vehicle's exact model on Google

If you can't find the code through the vehicles service history and the owners manual, you may also be able to find it by searching the exact model of your vehicle in a search engine. Many websites will backlog vehicles mfg paint colours and codes, making it easier to find than ever before.

Spectrophotometer machines

You most likely haven't heard of a spectrophotometer machine before, it's actually a piece of equipment used to analyse colour measurement. It provides spectral analysis and presents data so precise that the human eye would not be able to identify the exact colour. Using one of these machines is great if you are unable to find a legitimate car paint code anywhere at all, and can usually be found at specialist suppliers and paint shops.

Related Pages

Personal Car Leasing
Types of Car Paint
Most Popular Paint Colours 2018

Matching Car Paint Without Code (2024)

FAQs

Can you match car paint without code? ›

Spectrophotometer machines

Using one of these machines is great if you are unable to find a legitimate car paint code anywhere at all, and can usually be found at specialist suppliers and paint shops.

How do you match paint without code? ›

Use a color-matching tool like the Nix Mini 2 or Datacolor ColorReader EZ. Both use a small portable sensor in tandem with an app to identify the closest known paint color match for pretty much any object or surface in your home. Many paint companies and home improvement stores offer mobile apps to help match paint.

How do I get exact paint to match my car? ›

Either use the manufacturer's website or call your selling dealer to retrieve the paint code using the VIN. Once you have the paint code, you can find the right match for your vehicle at AutoZone with ease. Or, if you know the color description rather than the paint code, you can search that way.

How can I find out the exact colour of my car? ›

This can usually be found on a plate or sticker inside the driver's door or glovebox. See our diagram below for the most common places to check. If you have no luck searching in these spots, you could look in your owner's manual or in the service history of the vehicle.

Can I find my paint code with my VIN number? ›

Your car's VIN gives you a lot of information about your vehicle, but it won't give you your paint code. So, where can you go to find automotive paint color? Most vehicles have paint codes listed inside the driver's door jamb.

Is the paint code on the VIN? ›

Your vehicle's VIN does not include paint code information. The paint code for your specific car is stated on the information sticker posted on the door frame of your vehicle.

How do you find the exact color match on paint? ›

One easy way to find an exact match to your current paint color is to remove a chip from your wall and bring it to your local paint store or home center. Take the chip from a low-visibility spot, like behind an electrical outlet cover.

Is there an app to match exact paint color? ›

Matching paint just got easier. Connect to your ColorSnap™ Match Pro or ColorSnap™ Match paint matching tools (sold separately at Sherwin-Williams Stores) for easy, on-the-spot color matching. Simply scan the color of a flat surface to match to the closest Sherwin-Williams paint color.

Is there an app to match car paint color? ›

The TouchUp RX app, when paired with a TouchUp RX color scanner, allows you to instantly match exterior car paint to TouchUp RX's proprietary color library.

How hard is it to paint match a car? ›

Getting the paint colors to match 100% is very difficult if not impossible as there are just too many variables. Even if they are based on formulas, the new paint will never perfectly match the old one.

Is it difficult to match car paint? ›

In any case, remember that color matching on cars is a complex process that involves several extenuating factors. Sometimes a perfect match isn't possible, despite the technician's best efforts. Use Diamond Certified Resource to find top rated companies.

How do I find my alloy wheel paint code? ›

Inspecting different areas on and around the wheel is critical to finding the paint code sticker. Alloy wheel paint codes are usually located on a sticker on the wheel. Yet, the exact location of the sticker can vary depending on the manufacturer and model of the car.

Can you get a Ford paint code from the VIN number? ›

In the event your manufacturer's label is missing, you can use your vehicle identification number to find your color code. You can either contact the Ford company or look the code up online. Your VIN is usually listed on the lower left-hand corner of the dashboard, just in front of the steering wheel.

Is there an app to match paint color on walls? ›

Paint Color Matching App: ColorSnap® Paint Color App - Sherwin-Williams.

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