I laughed hysterically when one of my friends who was a new car owner narrated his ordeal with a mechanic to me. He said that after getting his Toyota Corolla, he drove straight to a mechanic workshop in Lagos to do a few touch-ups on the car.
As the mechanic was about to start work, he asked him for the car paint code. My friend was not only confused, but annoyed. To him, his car is already white, and any touch-up should be white paint too. I almost fell off while laughing.
What he failed to understand was that there are more than ten shades of white, and if proper paint code is not used, his car may end up being like someone wearing a mismatched outfit. I took my time to explain to him, even though he told me the mechanic had already.
So in this post, I will explain everything I told my friend to you as well so you won’t get confused when you are asked your car paint codes. Let’s get started already.
What Are Car Paint Codes?
Car paint codes are labels the manufacturers place on vehicles to indicate the particular shade of paint that was used on the vehicle when it was manufactured. Depending on the type of car, they can come in just letters or a combination of letters and figures.
You will think that every red or blue is the same until you use the improper paint code, then you will understand the variations. Knowing the right code helps you or your mechanic to make the right paint mix that matches your car perfectly.
Do Car Paint Codes Matter in Nigeria?
Yes, of course! I mean do Nigerians not like good things? Have you seen a black car where one side of the body looks slightly grey? That’s what happens when you do guesswork and do not use the exact paint code for your vehicle.
Aside from the beauty, it would give you, knowing your car pain code helps increase your car’s resale value as buyers are quick to spot mismatching colors in a car thereby labeling the car an accidental or flooded one. I know you won’t want something like that.
How Do I Find My Car’s Paint Code?
You have to pay rapt attention here. I’m about to disclose an important part of why you are reading this post. Knowing that there is something called car paint code, your next question should be how do I find mine? Right?
Below are places where you can find your car paint code;
1. Inside the driver’s door frame
There are usually small stickers or metal that contain all the details of the car, including the paint code on the driver’s door frame. You will get information like the engine specs, tire information, paint code, etc.
2. Under the bonnet
Some cars have their paint codes pasted under the bonnet near the engine.
3. Car trunk
Sometimes, you can also find it near the spare tire compartment inside the trunk.
4. The car’s manual
There is also a possibility that the manufacturers mentioned in the manual the particular spot where you can find the paint code in case you didn’t see it from all I’ve mentioned above.
Understanding Car Paint Codes
When you see a car paint code, it may look complex, but each code refers to a specific formula used by the manufacturers to create the shade of paint on your car. Some of the paint codes are;
· For Honda: Codes may start with NH. NH578 means taffeta white.
· For Toyota: There are codes like 1G3, 1F7, etc.
· For Ford: There are codes like SD/M6776, F7/M6074, etc.
· For Nissan: Codes like KH3, K36, etc.
· For Hyundai: Codes like YP5, R2T, etc.
Different brands of cars use different paint code formats, but the summary is that it would give the exact paint shade you are looking for.
Common Car Paint Code Mistakes Made by Nigerians & Consequences
The mistake most Nigerians make is doing guesswork on the paint code. This always has in the end led to the following;
· Mismatching colors: When you do a touch-up without the right paint code, the car will have more than one color leading to color inconsistency.
· Decreased value while reselling: As I earlier mentioned, a car with more than one paint shade can easily be tagged an accident car which may scare buyers away.
· Waste of resources: Of course, in a case where your paint is not as it should be, you have wasted money, and will have to redo the painting.
Conclusion
At this juncture, I can say that I have been able to give you a complete guide on car paint codes as a Nigerian. Do yourself more good by rereading this article, and putting to practice all you’ve learned here.
Whether you are driving a Nissan, a Toyota, or a BMW, knowing your car’s paint code will save you from embarrassment and necessary questions at mechanic shops or paint stores.
Get the exact paint shade of your car today from Fidel Associates today!
