How to Get GM Paint Codes
Performing minor body work on automobiles is within the reach of anybody. Repairing a small scratch yourself requires only minimal legwork ahead of time. The first thing you'll need is the paint code for your car or truck. Locating the paint codes for GM vehicles is particularly easy and making sense of the code is not much harder. With the code in hand, you can order the exact shade of paint needed to cover that scratch.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Locate the Service Parts Identification sticker on your GM vehicle. The small rectangular sticker will usually be silver or white, and may be in a variety of locations on the vehicle. If your vehicle is a pickup truck, look in the glove box first as this is the most common location for the Service Parts ID sticker. Other common places include the spare tire cover, in the spare tire wheel well, under the trunk lid, the trunk floor or inside the car door.
-
2
Locate the paint code on the Service Parts ID sticker. The paint code starts with BC/CC U followed by a number. BC stands for Base Coat while CC stands for Clear Coat. The U stands for Upper and may be followed by an L (on two tone models), which stands for Lower color.
-
-
3
Record the number for reference and ordering. With the number in hand, you can purchase the appropriate shade of paint for your GM vehicle for DIY body work.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Most paint codes on ordering sites will begin with WA, rather than the U found on the Service Parts ID sticker on GM vehicles. When ordering paint, simply substitute the U with WA, followed by the number. So, U1234 on a GM vehicle would become WA1234 when ordering. Some ordering sites may have slightly different numbers for the codes on your Service Parts ID sticker. If in doubt, try to use a site that allows access to a database listing your model and year.
Anything beyond minor body work is best performed by a professional who knows what they are doing. Damage you inflict on a vehicle's body in an effort to fix a blemish may well end up costing you more in the long run once a professional repairs the original damage and your efforts to fix it.
