How to find the paint number (OEM code)

How to find the paint number (OEM code)

Car manufacturers place the factory colour number (known as the OEM code) on the car's nameplates. Finding the nameplate with the colour code is sometimes not easy, but it is definitely possible.
See where you should look for the colour code plate depending on the car brand:

See where to look for the colour code plate depending on the car brand (list)

We have the nameplate, so what next?

We are halfway there, now it's time to decode the nameplate. Below are a few tips on how to write down the colour code depending on the vehicle brand.

 

TABLE

Selected examples of nameplate placement for individual car brands

1. BMW

The company has a transparent coding system: it writes the name in full. The nameplate of cars for the American market has the vehicle type written in the same way, e.g. passenger car.

2. Mercedes

In Mercedes cars, this is often a three-digit number.  The plate is usually located on the door sill on the driver's side

3. Renault

The code often consists of 5 characters, with the first two being ‘TE’ and the last three encoding the colour. The list of colours in PDF format can be downloaded from: www.promiks.ru

4. Volkswagen, Audi

The body colour code often begins with the letter ‘L’ – e.g. ‘LA7W’. I recommend visiting www.paintref.com, where you will find an extensive list of colours used by VW.

5. Ford

The colour number can be found in the lower left corner of the nameplate.

6. Opel

The first letter indicates the type of paint, e.g. ‘A’ - acrylic, ‘E’ - water-based (water-soluble), “Y” - metallic, ‘Z’ - two-component. The numbers indicate the colour. The letters (e.g. TAAR) are an additional internal code.

This is only a fragment of information about colour number coding.
 

What if I don't know how to read the colour number or can't find the nameplate?

1. Contact the dealer (or authorised service centre) for the brand in question. In the vast majority of cases, they will be able to provide you with the colour number based on the VIN number alone.

However, it should be remembered that this will be the original colour of the coating (as in a new car from the showroom) and does not take into account the natural change in colour tone resulting from the ageing of the coating.

2. The second method involves removing, for example, the fuel filler flap and visiting our store (or sending it by courier to the store). Based on their years of experience and equipped with a computerised colour selection system and extensive colour documentation, our colourists will select the perfect colour, taking into account the changes in shade that have occurred on your car over the years – this method guarantees the best shade selection.

I found the nameplate – I don't know where the colour number is written?

Here, too, I propose two solutions:

• searching for information on the internet. There are many forums where users of these brands exchange such information.
• or take a photo of the plate (a photo taken with a mobile phone is sufficient) and send it to: sklep@multichem.pl. Please include the car model and year of manufacture in the message. Our staff will read the colour number and advise you on what to do next.

 

Can the paint code be read from the VIN number?

You can find websites offering this solution online. I do not recommend it – VIN numbers are standardised, but only some of the information is publicly available (more on Wikipedia). The colour code belongs to the manufacturer, so to be sure, it is worth contacting an authorised service centre and confirming the paint code.

Where is the nameplate in my car?

See: https://www.multichem.pl/profix/en/nameplates