Articles
How to choose paint for a car
One paint shop told me how one client tried to pick up paint "by eye" and ended up with a different shade of door, even though the color was called the same. The reason - trivial, but common: motorists do not know that even the same color name can differ in tone depending on the year of manufacture, factory and batch. Therefore, before the selection should not just check the catalog, and use accurate methods - from the code on the body to digital scanners. And most importantly, before any restoration or purchase of a car, it's worth checking its past: license plate history can tell us if it's been repainted or bodyworked.
What affects the accuracy of paint matching?
Car paint is not just a color. It is a complex mixture of components, including pigments, metallics, and paint additives. Even with the same code, the shade can vary depending on:
- of the vehicle's country of assembly,
- of the year,
- body types (e.g., coupe and sedan of the same color may differ),
- the number and type of coating layers,
- fading in sunlight.
How do I find out my car's paint code?
Each auto has its own unique color code that is specified:
- in the data sheet,
- on the information plate under the hood, in the driver's door opening or in the trunk,
- by VIN code using online services.
Using the code, you can find the exact paint formula at any paint center. It is also possible to use a computer spectral analyzer if the code has been erased or the plate is missing.
Paint matching by VIN code: how does it work?
Many services offer paint matching by VIN - 17-digit body number. It contains all the information about the car, including the original paint code. This is especially useful if:
- the car was bought on hand and no color data is available,
- was the replacement of body parts,
- the car is foreign-assembled.
Comparison of selection methods
| Method | Pros | Minuses |
|---|---|---|
| According to the code plate | Fast, free, accurate | The sign may be lost or damaged |
| VIN | The data is accurate and archived | You need access to the database, there may be errors in recognition |
| On the spectrometer | Faded layer analysis, maximum accuracy | Expensive, not always available |
Useful painting tips
- Be sure to clean grease and dust from the surface before painting.
- Use the same manufacturer's primer as the paint.
- When selecting a color, consider the varnish - it can change the tone.
- Don't rely on visual comparison alone - lighting affects color perception.
- For older cars with burned out color, it is better to use spectrometer matching.
Common selection errors
Here's what is often done wrong:
- Choose paint "by eye" from the catalog.
- They don't take into account the varnish and fading of the old coat.
- They don't check the actual color code listed on the auto.
- They take cheap paint with no compatibility recommendations.
When is an exact color match important?
- Post-accident repairs (so you can't see the transitions).
- Selling an auto - colorful elements lower the value.
- Restoring the original look of a retro car.
- Tuning while maintaining the overall color style.
Accurate paint matching is not only about visual aesthetics, but also about the value, reputation and even legal purity of the car. Matching the shade guarantees that the car will look decent and will not cause suspicion when selling or evaluating it. And if you are just planning to buy, don't forget to find out the history of the car by license plate number - a repainted body may indicate serious damage in the past.
Questions and answers
How can you tell if a car has been repainted?
Use a thickness gauge or check light reflection at an angle. Also check the vehicle history database by license plate number.
Can all-purpose paint be used?
You can, but the shade will not match perfectly. It is better to match by code or by scanner.
What should you do if the paint on your bodywork has faded?
Match the shade by spectrometer - it determines the current color, not the factory original.
