Where to Find Chevrolet Paint Codes: Complete Location Guide

Looking to touch up your Chevy’s paint but can’t find that elusive paint code? You’re about to discover exactly where to look. Whether you’re driving a classic Corvette or a brand-new Silverado, Chevy has tucked those critical color codes in some not-so-obvious spots over the years.

Why Chevrolet Paint Code Locations Change

Chevrolet hasn’t made finding paint codes particularly easy. They’ve moved these critical identifiers around quite a bit over the decades.

In the early days, you’d find them stamped on metal plates. By the 1980s and 90s, they appeared on paper stickers. Now? Many new models use QR codes you can scan with your phone.

This evolution explains why you might be struggling to locate your code – what worked for your dad’s 1985 Camaro won’t help with your 2022 Traverse.

Common Chevrolet Paint Code Locations

Let’s break down the most likely places you’ll find your Chevy’s paint code based on when it was manufactured:

Glove Box Location

The glove compartment is the first place to check on most Chevrolet vehicles, especially trucks and SUVs. Open your glove box and look for a white sticker on either:

• The inside wall of the compartment
• The back wall facing you when opened
• The underside of the glove box door itself

This location is particularly common on:

• Silverado trucks (all generations)
• Suburban and Tahoe SUVs
• Colorado pickups
• Older Impala models

The sticker you’re looking for is called the Service Parts Identification (SPID) label, and it contains various codes. Your paint code will appear after “BC/CC” (which stands for Base Coat/Clear Coat).

Driver’s Door Jamb

Another frequent location is the driver’s side door jamb. Open your driver’s door and look for a white sticker on:

• The edge of the door itself
• The door pillar (the part of the car body where the door closes)
• Sometimes on the bottom edge of the door

This location is particularly common on:

• Malibu models
• Cruze sedans
• Equinox crossovers
• Many newer passenger cars

Approximately 40% of all Chevrolet vehicles from 1990-2017 have their paint codes in this location.

Spare Tire Area

If you’ve checked both the glove box and door jamb without success, your next stop should be the spare tire area. This is especially common on:

• Older Corvette models
• Some Camaro years
• Certain Impala generations

Look for the sticker on:

• The inside of the trunk lid
• On the floor of the trunk near the spare
• On the spare tire cover itself

Center Console (Sports Cars)

Chevrolet’s performance models often hide their paint codes in unique locations. The Camaro and Corvette frequently have them:

• At the rear of the center console
• Inside the center console compartment
• Under an access panel between the seats

These locations can be particularly tricky to access without knowing exactly where to look.

Modern Chevrolet QR Code System (2018+)

If you drive a Chevy made after 2018, finding your paint code just got both easier and more complex. General Motors switched to a QR code system that works differently.

How to Find Paint Codes on 2018+ Models

For 2018 and newer Chevrolet vehicles, look for a QR code on the driver’s side B-pillar (the vertical support between your front and rear doors). The only exception is the Corvette, which has it on the driver’s door.

Here’s how to access your paint code:

1. Locate the certification label with the QR code
2. Use your smartphone camera to scan the code
3. The paint code appears in the resulting information

Some newer models also display a simplified code (like “130H”) directly below the QR code as a quick reference.

According to GM documentation, this digital system replaced traditional SPID stickers to streamline the manufacturing process and provide more comprehensive vehicle information.

Paint Code Formats: What You’re Looking For

When you locate your Chevrolet’s color code, you’ll need to know how to interpret it. Chevy uses several different formats:

WA Format

The most standardized format begins with “WA” followed by numbers or letters:

• WA8624 (Summit White)
• WA636R (Silver Ice Metallic)
• WA105V (Radiant Red Tintcoat)

This is the format most paint suppliers recognize and is consistent across model years.

BC/CC Format

On your vehicle’s sticker, you’ll often see:

• BC/CC U 8624 (indicating upper body color)
• BC/CC L 8555 (indicating lower color for two-tone vehicles)

The “U” stands for upper/main body color, while “L” indicates lower accents for two-tone vehicles.

RPO Codes (Newer Models)

Starting around 2018, Chevrolet began using three-character RPO (Regular Production Option) codes:

• GAZ (Summit White)
• GBA (Black)
• G7C (Red Hot)

These are typically found when scanning QR codes on newer vehicles.

Finding Paint Codes by Vehicle Type

Different Chevrolet models have their own quirks when it comes to paint code locations. Here’s a breakdown by popular models:

Chevrolet Silverado Paint Code Location

Silverado trucks most commonly have paint codes in the glove compartment. Look for the white SPID sticker on the inside wall or door of the glove box.

For 2018+ Silverados, check the driver’s side B-pillar for the QR code sticker. The Silverado subreddit confirms this is often the only location on newer models.

Chevrolet Camaro Paint Code Location

Camaros are trickier. Check:

1. Rear of center console (most common)
2. Driver’s side door jamb
3. Inside glove box
4. Under the rear trunk lid on some models

The Camaro6 forum notes that 6th-gen Camaros (2016+) typically have the code on a sticker at the back of the center console, which may require removing a small access panel.

Chevrolet Corvette Paint Code Location

Corvettes have several possible locations:

1. Inside the glove box
2. Under the center console lid
3. Under the trunk lid
4. In the left rear compartment
5. On newer models (C8), on the driver’s door instead of the B-pillar

Corvettes often have multiple stickers throughout the vehicle, but the glove box location is most reliable.

Chevrolet Colorado Paint Code Location

For the Colorado pickup:

1. Inside the glove box (primary location)
2. Driver’s side door jamb (secondary location)

The Colorado subreddit confirms the glove box is typically the first place to check on these mid-size trucks.

Chevrolet Express Van Paint Code Location

Express vans have some unusual paint code locations:

1. Rear face of the right front door
2. B-pillar face
3. Under the driver’s seat (on some model years)

These commercial vehicles often have stickers placed in locations less likely to be damaged during commercial use.

Using VIN for Paint Code Lookup

If you’ve searched everywhere and still can’t find your paint code, your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can help.

While the VIN itself doesn’t contain the paint code, Chevrolet dealerships can use it to look up your original factory color in their database system. Contact your local Chevy dealer with your 17-digit VIN, and the parts department should be able to identify your paint code.

However, this method has limitations – it only works for original factory paint. If your vehicle has been repainted, the VIN lookup won’t reflect the current color.

Understanding Two-Tone Paint Codes

Many Chevrolet trucks and SUVs come with two-tone paint schemes, which use a more complex coding system. These vehicles display both upper (U) and lower (L) color codes.

For example, if you see:

BC/CC U316N L8555

This indicates:

• Upper color: 316N (Gold Mist Metallic)
• Lower color: 8555 (Black)

This system allows for precise identification of both colors used in factory two-tone applications, which is particularly important for accurate touch-ups on vehicles like Silverados with two-tone paint packages.

Most Common Chevrolet Paint Codes

While Chevrolet has used hundreds of colors over the years, certain shades appear consistently across their lineup. Here are some of the most frequently encountered Chevy paint codes:

Summit White (WA8624/GAZ) remains the most popular Chevrolet color, appearing across nearly all model lines since 1985, according to Classic Industries documentation.

Paint Code Naming Confusion

One challenge with Chevrolet paint codes is that General Motors often uses different marketing names for the same paint formulation across various models. This practice can create confusion when ordering paint or parts.

For example:

• WA138X is called “Red Rock Metallic” on 2015 Camaros but “Tin Roof Rusted” in GM’s internal system
• WA316N is known as “Gold Mist Metallic,” “Gold Clearcoat,” or “Inca Metallic Clearcoat” depending on the model year and vehicle

This naming variation emphasizes why using the actual paint code rather than color names is crucial for accurate paint matching. The alphanumeric code is far more reliable than the marketing name.

Professional Paint Matching Considerations

Modern automotive paint systems use basecoat/clearcoat technology, requiring both color and clear coat applications for proper matching. Understanding this is crucial when ordering touch-up paint or planning repairs.

Even with correct paint codes, slight variations can occur between paint batches, application locations, and aging. Environmental exposure can cause factory paint to fade or change slightly over time, making perfect matches challenging.

Professional paint shops often need to perform color matching procedures to ensure perfect blends, especially for vehicles with metallic or pearl finishes. GM Authority notes that many modern Chevrolet colors require specialized application techniques for proper repair.

What If Your Paint Code Is Illegible?

It’s not uncommon for Chevrolet paint code stickers to become damaged, faded, or completely illegible over time. If you find yourself with an unreadable sticker, you have several options:

1. Check other locations on the vehicle – many Chevys have duplicate stickers
2. Use your VIN at a Chevrolet dealership
3. Consult a professional paint shop with color-matching equipment
4. Check online forums specific to your model – other owners often share information about difficult-to-find paint codes

The Camaro5 forum is particularly helpful for tracking down hard-to-find paint information on performance models.

Finding Paint for Classic Chevrolet Models

If you own a vintage Chevy from the 1950s-1970s, the paint code location and format will differ significantly from modern vehicles. Classic Chevrolets typically had paint codes:

1. On the cowl tag/data plate (under the hood on the firewall)
2. As a one or two-digit code
3. Sometimes stamped into metal rather than on a sticker

For example, a 1957 Chevy might have color code “793” for Tropical Turquoise. Resources like Chevy Old Car Manual Project provide comprehensive listings of these classic codes.

Using Mobile Apps for Paint Code Identification

Several mobile applications can help identify Chevrolet paint codes:

1. MyGMLink – Official GM app that can display vehicle information including paint codes when connected to your account
2. QR Code Readers – Any standard QR reader can decode the paint information on 2018+ models
3. Paint Match Apps – Some third-party apps claim to identify colors from photos, though results vary in accuracy

The GM TechLink publication notes that digital tools are becoming increasingly important for accessing vehicle information as GM moves away from physical labels.

Finding Your Paint Code When All Else Fails

If you’ve exhausted all the locations mentioned and still can’t find your Chevrolet’s paint code, try these last-resort options:

1. Dealer Service Department – They can often look up your color by VIN in their internal systems
2. Professional Paint Shops – Many have spectrophotometers that can precisely match your existing paint
3. Contact GM Customer Service – With your VIN, they may be able to access records not available to dealers
4. Vehicle History Report – Some detailed reports include original color information

Remember that paint matching is most critical for visible repairs. For areas like door jambs or under the hood, a close match is often sufficient.

As you track down your Chevrolet’s paint code, remember that the effort is worthwhile – a perfect color match keeps your vehicle looking its best and preserves its value for years to come.