To find your car's paint colour, start with its registration and look for the manufacturer's paint code. A registration helps identify the vehicle, while the paint code gives a more specific reference for the colour originally specified. If the car has been resprayed, its current finish may differ from that original colour.
You can start with our vehicle paint finder, or browse vehicle paint colours if you already know the make and code.
Which details help identify my car's paint?
| Detail | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Registration number | Helps identify your vehicle. It does not, by itself, confirm the exact factory paint code. |
| Manufacturer's paint code | Identifies a factory colour reference. Supply the full code, including any letters and numbers. |
| Colour name | Useful supporting information, but names can be shared, shortened or translated. |
| VIN | Identifies the individual vehicle. A manufacturer or dealer may be able to use it to check the original specification. |
| Respray information | Helps establish whether the original factory colour is still relevant to the area being repaired. |
Can I find my paint colour by registration?
Enter your registration in the paint finder and check that the vehicle details are correct. We use the information you supply to establish the paint details for your order. Include a paint code or colour name when you have it, especially if you are unsure about the finish.
A registration lookup is a useful starting point, but it should not be treated as proof of an exact paint code. The broad colour recorded for a vehicle, such as blue or silver, is not specific enough to choose a touch-up paint.
Where can I find the paint code?
Check the manufacturer's vehicle labels and any paint information supplied with the car. The location and format vary by make, model and year, so the handbook or a manufacturer or dealer enquiry can help you find the right reference. A label can contain several identification numbers: check which one is the paint code before ordering.
Copy the code exactly rather than relying on a similar-looking colour online. For motorbike orders, please supply the paint code.
Is the colour name enough?
A colour name can help narrow the search, but pair it with the vehicle make and paint code wherever possible. Similar names do not necessarily refer to the same paint. Screen images are useful for browsing, but the display, lighting and photograph can change how a shade appears.
What if my car has been resprayed?
If a panel or the whole car has been repainted, ask the previous owner or repairer for the colour reference or paint specification. The original code may describe the factory finish rather than the paint currently on that panel. Tell us about a known respray when contacting the team.
Check the paint before starting your repair
Once you have selected a colour, follow the product instructions and make a small test on a separate sample. Let it dry and compare it with the clean area you plan to repair in natural light. This gives you a more useful check than comparing wet paint in its container.
Choose the format for the job as well as the colour. Our aerosols are basecoat and need a compatible lacquer; fine-tip paint is direct gloss. Preparation and application instructions vary by product. Compare the paint kits to see the available options and use our paint guides to plan the repair. Touchuppaint products are independently mixed.
Found your paint code? Choose the repair format
Shop car paint by paint code or start with your registration. For a small chip compare car touch-up paint pens and brush bottles; for a suitable larger area compare colour-matched car aerosols.
For a wheel or caliper repair, identify that part's own colour reference. Your vehicle body paint code does not confirm the factory wheel or caliper finish.
