A paint code refers to a unique code of three to six characters. The system contains a mixture of numbers and letters. Finding the exact color for your vehicle is essential. It guarantees your color accuracy.
When fixing minor scratches on your vehicle, you need to know the specific color. You can use a vehicle identification number to find your car color code.
What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
A VIN is a unique code assigned to every car after manufacturing. It has 17 characters consisting of numbers and letters. However, VIN characters don’t have any intervening spaces.
Also, there are no letters such as Q (q), O (o), and I (i) in VINs. This omission helps in avoiding confusion with numbers such as 0 and 1. As a result, it is easier to read the Vehicle Identification Number.
Every section of this number gives you a specific piece of information about the car. The report includes the country, factory, and year of manufacture. Also, it consists of the vehicle make and model and the serial number as well. This printing of this number is always done in a single line.
How to use Vehicle Identification Number to get your car’s paint code
If you want to repaint your vehicle, you need the vehicle paint code. It is essential in helping you match your vehicle’s color. However, using the VIN to get the right paint code is an excellent way.
Where is the VIN located?
Most passenger cars have the VIN on the dashboard. It is usually positioned on the driver’s side. If you want to see it better, look at it through the windshield. You should be standing outside the car.
Some manufacturers, however, position this number on the door pillar, at the driver’s side. In such vehicles, you need to open the door to see it. Once you open the door, look at the area where the car door latches.
Also, some cars have their VIN under the hood. It is usually placed in front of the engine block. Besides, older vehicles have this number at the front end of the frame. This frame is on the driver’s side, near the door.
Most motorcycles have their Vehicle Identification Numbers below the handlebars. You should see the number on the steering neck. But, other motorcycle manufacturers place it on the frame near the motor. Also, you might find it on the engine.
However, on semitrailers, you can find the VIN on the front part, the left side.
If you don’t find this number on the vehicle, search it in the vehicle documents. It is always written on the vehicle title. Some individuals refer to this document as the Certificate of Title. This title is a legal document that establishes vehicle ownership.
You can also use the Certificate of Vehicle Registration document to find the VIN. It is a document provided by the Department of Motor Vehicle in every state. The report establishes a link between the vehicle and the owner.
Also, liability insurance documents contain this information. These are the automobile insurance papers. Besides, the car repair records have this information as well.
But, the Vehicle Identification Number is only found in cars manufactured before 1981. The VIN for vehicles manufactured before 1981 contains 11 characters. However, in such a case, you may not be able to the paint code through VIN.
Decoding the Vehicle Identification Number
This number contains a lot of information about the vehicle. The first number represents the country of manufacture. Likewise, the second letter represents the vehicle’s manufacturer. The third letter indicates the vehicle division or type.
The next five letters represent the vehicle’s brand, engine size, and type. Also, it indicates the body style, model, and series. The security check digit follows, then a letter representing the model year.
After, the assembly plant letter follows. The rest of the letters and numbers represent the vehicle’s production number. It is also referred to as a car’s serial number.
Checking the Paint code using the Vehicle Identification Number
Apart from using the Car Information Sticker, you can use VIN to get the paint code. However, the VIN can’t give you the paint code directly. But, it can help you obtain the code from other platforms.
Due to technological advancement, you can use online resources to get the paint code. The resources can help you know various pieces of information about the vehicle.
Using the car’s VIN, you can search for specific data about your vehicle. The vehicle’s color code is one piece of information you can obtain.
Alternatively, you can locate your car seller, and obtain the paint code. You can find the car dealership through the internet or checking in a phone directory. In the current market, most car dealerships have websites. Thus, it is easy to contact them.
Once you contact the dealership, request them to provide them with the paint code. The dealerships have a record of this information in their service department.
But, you must provide the dealership with the Vehicle Identification Number. This data enables them to check-up for your vehicle from their records. As a result, it might take a few minutes. However, once they get your car’s data, they can give you the information needed. Also, you can ask for more details about your vehicle.
The importance of a Vehicle Identification number
The VIN is vital for everyone who owns a car. It contains a lot of record details for your vehicle details. Many data registries use the VIN to keep your vehicle’s history record.
When buying a used car, the VIN can assist you in knowing the car’s history. Doing a VIN lookup is enough for you to get all the vehicle’s records. As a result, you will adequate information concerning the car.
Therefore, VIN can assist you in making an informed decision. The Vehicle Identification Number will enable you to know all the previous car owners. Also, you will know if the vehicle is in its original color.
Also, you will know if the car has ever had an accident. A vehicle that has had a severe accident might have mechanical issues. If it doesn’t have any, it might develop soon.
Another significance of VIN is helping you know the repair records of the car. Proper car maintenance is essential for its durability. So, before buying a used car, you will its maintenance history.
Also, it enables you known if there has been a vehicle recall by the manufacturer. If so, you can check if the necessary repairs took place. Therefore, the Vehicle Identification Number is crucial in feeding the correct information.
Lastly, VIN also acts as a security measure. Law enforcement agencies conduct a VIN check. As a result, they can identify stolen vehicles. So, the VIN protects you from buying a stolen car. Also, it assists in recovering your stolen vehicle as well.
Conclusion
Knowing the right paint code for your vehicle is essential. However, using the Vehicle Identification Number is the best way to obtain the color code. This method is easy and accurate. It is more informative, as well.
The most important thing is finding your car’s VIN. But, it is not a complicated task since you can find it in specific places.
In most vehicles, it is either written under the hood or on the driver’s interior dash. The most common place for most cars is on the driver’s side door pillar. But, the old models have it on the front end frame, near the driver’s door.
Besides, you can also obtain the VIN from the vehicle’s documents. The vehicle’s Certificate of registration, title, insurance, and repair records have this number. Therefore, it is not hard for you to locate it.
Once you have the number, you can get any information you need about the vehicle. You can either use the online sources or contact the manufacturer for any data. As a result, VIN gives you the most accurate and reliable information.
