Got a scratch on your Compass and need the right touch-up paint? Finding your Jeep Compass paint code location takes about 30 seconds if you know where to look. This guide shows you exactly where to find it, how to read it, and what to do when it’s missing.
Where to Find Your Jeep Compass Paint Code
The quickest way to find your Jeep Compass paint code location is to open the driver’s door and look at the door jamb. Specifically, check the B-pillar — that’s the vertical frame the door latches onto.
You’re looking for a rectangular sticker. It’s usually white, silver, or black. This is the Safety Compliance Certification Label, and it holds your VIN, manufacturing specs, and your paint code.
Spot the barcode on the label. Your paint code sits directly beneath it. Look for the abbreviation “PNT” or the header “PAINT” — the alphanumeric code right next to it is what you need.
That’s your color code. Write it down before you close the door.
What the Label Looks Like
The label is small, rectangular, and printed with tiny text. Don’t rush it. Grab your phone, use the flashlight, and take a photo of the whole label. You’ll thank yourself later when ordering touch-up paint online.
Secondary Locations When the Label Is Missing
Sometimes the door jamb sticker gets damaged in a collision repair or simply falls off over time. Don’t panic. Your Compass likely has backup locations where duplicate identification plates live.
Here’s where to check next:
| Location | Specific Spot | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Driver-Side Door Jamb | B-pillar below the barcode | All 2007–Present models |
| Engine Bay Firewall | Central bulkhead dividing engine from cabin | All model years |
| Radiator Core Support | Upper bar at the front of the engine bay | 2007–2010 models |
| Under Driver’s Seat | Floor pan beneath the seat frame | Early production runs |
Pop the hood and check the firewall first. It’s the most reliable backup. If you drive an early model (2007–2010), also scan the upper radiator support bar at the very front of the engine bay.
How Jeep Compass Paint Codes Are Structured
Here’s where most people get confused — and it costs them money on the wrong paint.
Jeep Compass paint codes follow the Stellantis coding system, which Chrysler developed across its entire brand family. Modern Compass models use a three-character alphanumeric code. Older models sometimes use two characters.
Many codes start with “P” or “Q” — like PW7, PRV, or PSC.
The Prefix Letter Isn’t What You Think
Here’s the tricky part. That first letter? It’s often a year code, not part of the actual color formula.
Jeep changes that leading letter across model years while the underlying color stays identical. So the same physical shade might appear as three different codes in different years. Check out these examples from PaintScratch’s Compass database:
- Bright White → PW7, GW7, or QW7 (same white, different year prefixes)
- Granite Crystal Metallic → PAU or LAU
- Maximum Steel Metallic → KAR or PAR
Some catalogs drop the leading letter entirely and show just two characters — like “BS” instead of “GBS” or “PBS” for Deep Water Blue Pearl. That shortened version is a catalog shorthand. The base color formula is the same either way.
Common Jeep Compass Paint Codes by Color
Here’s a quick reference table for popular colors across model years:
| Color Name | P-Prefix Code | Alternate Codes | Years Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bright White | PW7 | GW7 / QW7 / W7 | 2007–Present |
| Velvet Red Pearl | PRV | NRV / RV | Modern Models |
| Billet Silver Metallic | PSC | JSC / SC | 2018–2025 |
| Granite Crystal Metallic | PAU | LAU / 095A / 099 | 2018–2025 |
| Diamond Black Crystal Pearl | PXJ | KXJ / QXJ / XJ | 2023–2026 |
| Ceramic Gray / Sting Gray | PDN | 503B | 2018–2026 |
| Deep Water Blue Pearl | PBS | GBS / BS | 2009–2010 |
| Stone White | PW1 | SW1 / QW1 | 2007–2010 |
| Bright Silver Metallic | PS2 | WS2 / QS2 | 2007–2010 |
| Joose | PL4 | KL4 / Crush | 2026 |
Two-Tone Roof Codes on Modern Compass Models
If your Compass has a black roof over a different body color, you’re dealing with a dual-tone exterior — and that roof needs its own separate paint code.
This setup appears on Trailhawk, Limited, and Limited Altitude trims. The lower body uses the primary code listed under “PNT” on the door jamb label. The contrasting black roof uses a completely different code.
Common black roof codes include:
- PRXF — Jet Black in a low-gloss matte finish
- PX8 — Solid Black
- DX8
- RXN
Mix these up and you’ll have two mismatched panels. Always treat the roof and body as separate projects when ordering paint for a two-tone Compass.
Don’t Confuse Interior Codes With Exterior Paint Codes
The door jamb label also shows interior trim codes. These are not exterior paint codes. Interior coatings use a matte finish formula that won’t match your body panels at all.
Here’s what the interior codes look like for reference:
| Interior Trim Name | Factory Code | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Slate Gray | DV | Low-Gloss Matte |
| Dark Pebble Beige | K7 | Low-Gloss Matte |
| Pastel Pebble Beige | KA | Low-Gloss Matte |
| New Saddle / Chestnut | JTL | Low-Gloss Matte |
If you accidentally order interior-coded paint for an exterior repair, it won’t have the gloss or the UV protection your body panel needs. Double-check that you’re using the code under “PNT.”
How to Find Your Paint Code Using the VIN
Your label is gone and none of the backup spots have it. No problem — use your VIN number lookup through Mopar.
Your 17-character VIN is stamped on a metal plate visible through the driver’s side of the windshield at the base of the dashboard. It’s also on your registration, title, and insurance documents.
The VIN itself doesn’t contain the paint code characters. But any authorized Stellantis dealership can run your VIN through factory build records and pull the exact paint formula assigned to your specific vehicle at the assembly plant.
This method is the most accurate option when the physical label is gone — especially on older Compass models with years of sun exposure that may have faded the original color slightly anyway.
Getting Help From Paint Specialists
If you’re still stuck, these US-based paint services offer direct technical support for color matching:
| Service | Contact | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| ERA Paints Help Desk | 971-770-2372 | Mon–Fri, 8 AM–2 PM PST |
| ERA Paints Email | [email protected] | Any time |
| AutomotiveTouchup Support | 1-504-818-2334 | Business hours |
These teams deal with Jeep color matching daily. They can help you cross-reference codes, identify year-prefix variations, and confirm you’re ordering the right formula.
How to Apply Touch-Up Paint the Right Way
Got your code? Great. Here’s how to use it without making the scratch look worse.
- Wash the area with mild detergent. Road oils and wax kill paint adhesion fast.
- Let it dry completely before touching anything else.
- Sand the edges lightly to smooth the transition between good paint and bare surface.
- Apply primer if the scratch reaches bare metal or plastic. Skip this and the paint will bubble later.
- Apply color in thin layers. Two or three light coats beat one thick glob every time.
- Finish with clear coat. This seals the color and restores the gloss.
One important heads-up: factory paint codes don’t account for fading. If your Compass has spent years baking in the sun, the original code gives you the factory color — not necessarily your current weathered shade.
For older vehicles, a body shop with a paint spectrophotometer can scan your existing paint and blend a formula that matches what’s actually on the car right now. That’s often the cleaner option on anything over five or six years old.
