Body Work is Done – Next Step: A Glossy, Gorgeous Paint Job

What Are Paint Codes & How Are They Used in Collision Repair Painting?

Paint codes are an essential part of the paint-matching process, as they represent the specific digits that signify a vehicle's paint color. An auto body technician could accidentally apply the wrong shade during restoration projects or touch-ups without this code. Typically, the paint code is found in the driver's side door jam, providing technicians with the necessary information to enter into the car paint matching computer.

While the paint code is essential, workers still need to identify the variant of the color. There are often multiple variations of a color that can differ from batch to batch or across different paint suppliers. Once the variant color is determined, workers mix the paint and spray a sample on a test card. The sample card is compared to the vehicle's color; if the colors match, the technicians can paint the car with a fresh coat of paint. They blend the new paint into the old paint and surrounding areas, ensuring that the new color is indistinguishable from the old one.