How to find out the color of the car by the VIN code and the rules for selecting paint by this number
Each manufacturer uses its own paint. In connection with the fact, if it is necessary to close a small chip or other defect on the body, then it is quite difficult to find such a shade that would not stand out from the rest of the car. In such cases, it is recommended to refer to the rules for selecting paint according to the VIN code of the car. This will help you find a material that matches your skin tone.
What is VIN code, decryption
The VIN number is an alphanumeric letter combination that is assigned to each shipment leaving the assembly line. This code is applied to the body and a number of other parts of the car at the production stage. The VIN contains 17 characters. This number lets you know:
- vehicle characteristics;
- year of construction ;
- manufacturer's mark.
This number is unique to the vehicle. There are no two cars on the roads of the world with the same code.
This set of characters is deciphered as follows:
- three initial characters - manufacturer's mark, country and city of assembly;
- the next 5 - the type of car (i.e. the name of a specific model) and the body, specifications, type of gearbox and engine;
- 9th - contains no information;
- 10th - year of issue;
- 11th - the name of the car plant where the car was assembled;
- the remaining characters are the vehicle serial number.
The VIN is applied to special nameplates that do not wear out over time. These plates are necessarily duplicated in different parts of the machine. This is due to the fact that, on the one hand, fraudsters often erase the VIN after a car is stolen, and on the other hand, in the event of an accident, certain parts cannot be found or restored. The identification of the machine is carried out on the basis of the remaining components.
Where to find
The location of VIN nameplates is regulated by law. But because cars are assembled all over the world, these plates are placed on different parts of the car. Also, some manufacturers apply more VINs by using new seats. In this case, before looking for such nameplates, you can refer to the TCP, which contains both this number and the paint code.
In foreign cars
In foreign cars, nameplates with this number are often located under the hood, in the area of attachment to the body of the lower part of the windshield. Also, such plates are often placed on a support post from the side of the driver's seat and directly on the body. The following variants of the location of the type plates are also possible:
- in the trunk under the spare wheel (typical for Volkswagen);
- near the engine or on the driver's door (Ford and Hyundai);
- next to the windshield on the side of the front passenger seat (Nissan);
- near your windshield, radiator or engine (Chevrolet);
- on the support pillars or the passenger side front door (Mazda);
- on the side of the driver's seat near the door (Kia);
- behind on the frame near the right or left wheel (Great Wall).
On US cars this is under the floor covering next to the front passenger door. It is difficult to immediately determine where this nameplate is located.
Therefore, it is first recommended to pay attention to the engine compartment.
In domestic cars
Russian manufacturers place plates with VIN numbers differently. AvtoVAZ attaches the following nameplates:
- on the tailgate;
- under the hood;
- in the area next to the windshield.
If the VIN number is not found on Russian cars in the indicated places, you should pay attention to the areas in which the plates of foreign manufacturers are affixed.
Table of code numbers
The table of numbers makes it possible to choose the exact color of the paint with which the body is treated. Here is a list of the most popular shades. It should be borne in mind that many manufacturers use non-standard colors that are not listed in this table. Therefore, in order to find the right shade, you will need to contact an authorized dealer or manufacturer.
| The code | color name | Shadow |
| 602 | Aventurine | black silver |
| 145 | Amethyst | Purple with a silver undertone |
| 425 | Adriatic | Blue |
| 421 | bottlenose dolphin | Green-blue with a silver tint |
| 385 | emerald | Green with a silver tint |
| 419 | Opal | silver blue |
| 404 | petergof | Blue grey |
| 430 | Frigate | Blue with metallic |
| 601 | Black | Black |
| 473 | Jupiter | Blue grey |
Also, to determine the shade, you can refer to the manufacturer's website, where, using the indicated codes, you can find out the color of the body.
What you need to consider when choosing paint for a car
There are many difficulties in choosing a suitable car enamel. This is mainly due to the fact that manufacturers do not use standard formulations with the same colors when treating bodywork.
When choosing a paint, you should always pay attention to the VIN number. This is especially true when the material is purchased to process the body of a used car. Often, previous owners repaint cars in a different shade. In such cases, it becomes more difficult to choose a shade, and you will have to turn to a professional color palette. When buying a used car, it is also recommended to check the condition of the paintwork with a special feeler gauge. This device is used to determine the thickness of the material.
The third important condition is related to the fact that the body coating changes color over time under the influence of the environment. Therefore, when choosing enamel for a car, you should also contact a professional color scheme to compare the colors of the desired paint with the tone of the car body. If this is not done, the painted area will be visible against the background of the rest of the body.
In order to minimize the risk of incorrect material selection, it is recommended to use spectral tint analysis, which will help to find the right type of pigment for mixing the paint. In addition, you will additionally need to contact a specialized company that provides services for the computer selection of the desired shade. The latter is explained by the fact that many car manufacturers use paint and varnish compositions that are not available over the counter.
In addition, if you need to treat the body of a car produced more than 10 years ago, you will have to completely repaint the car or even use professional color services. This recommendation is due to the fact that the composition and properties of automotive enamel change over time. Therefore, paint for cars older than 10 years is no longer produced.