Car manufacturers assign specific codes to the body colors of their vehicles. If your Ford needs a touch up or a new paint job, color coding can help you choose the right type of paint. If you can't find the color code, you can use your car's registration number to help you. If you can't find your VIN, don't have an engine bay information card, or have an older Ford, you can try an online vehicle color database. to find your color code.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Find the color code in the car
Step 1. Look in the engine compartment
In most cases, the color code of Ford vehicles is listed on a manufacturer's label in the engine compartment, near the base of the windshield. If you can't find it there, you can search the driver's or passenger's door leaf.
- These labels are rectangular and can be printed with a Ford watermark or a patterned background. Usually, they are marked “MANUFACTURED (or MFD.) BY FORD MOTOR CO. (or COMPANY)”.
- Modern manufacturing labels often include a barcode, which older models may not have.
Step 2. Take a look under the hood
On most Fords, the manufacturer's label is located under the hood. It is often found at the base of the windshield on the passenger side. Open the hood and look at the plate that sits directly below the windshield gasket.
The manufacturer's label may be on the right, passenger side, but you can also look on the left, driver's side
Step 3. Note the color code on the manufacturer's label
Once you find the manufacturer's label, you can use it to locate the color code. The color code is found below the bar code and is usually identified by two characters which can be numbers or letters. These two characters are shown above or next to the words “exterior paint colors”. For example, if you see the letters "PM" written above "Exterior paint colors", it means the color code is PM.
Some Ford color codes, especially for older vehicles, may be longer than two characters. They can also be made up of a mixture of letters and numbers. For example, the color code for the bluish tint of the 1990 Ford Focus is 9 Matisse Blue Met
Method 2 of 3: Use the vehicle identification number
Step 1. Look for the VIN under the dashboard
If you can't find the manufacturer's label, you can use your vehicle's identification number to find your color code. You can either contact the Ford company or search for the code online. Typically, the VIN is shown in the lower left corner of the instrument panel, directly in front of the steering wheel. You can see this by looking through your windshield.
Step 2. Look elsewhere if the VIN is not under the dashboard
In general, you shouldn't have a problem finding the VIN by looking under the dashboard. However, if it does not appear there, you can look elsewhere.
- If you open the hood, look to the front of the engine. It is possible that the VIN is entered there. You can also look near the front of your car's chassis, next to the windshield frame.
- You can try to open the driver's side door and look inside the door frame. You should see the VIN roughly where the side mirror would be if the door was closed. You can also look near where the door locks.
Step 3. Contact the Ford company
If you provide the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), someone at Ford should be able to tell you your color code. You can contact Ford France on 080 000 5005, Monday through Friday, as there will likely be no one to answer you on the weekend.
Step 4. Enter your VIN on a website
There are several websites, like Chipex, where you can enter your VIN. The site will be able to provide you with your color code based on your VIN. However, you can call the Ford company just to verify that your code is correct, as the sites you find through an Internet search engine are not always officially affiliated with the manufacturer.
Method 3 of 3: Consult an automotive paint color library
Step 1. Search an online paint color library
Sometimes, especially if you own an older Ford, you may have a hard time finding a manufacturer's tag or VIN. Fortunately, there are many sites that allow you to find Ford color codes using basic information about your vehicle.
- Do a search by typing something like "car color code library" or "automotive paint code database". You can also do a more specific search, such as "Ford 1949 color codes".
- Sites like code.peinturevoiture.fr or mon-code-peinture.com are good starting points. Ford enthusiasts' websites, such as Club Ford Amical France, are also great sources for finding color codes.
Step 2. Enter the year and make of your vehicle
Depending on the color code database format you are using, you may be able to narrow your search by selecting the year, make as well as the model of your Ford. In other cases, you can simply browse a list of color codes for each year.
Step 3. Examine the list of colors used that year
Once you have determined the year, make and model of your Ford, examine the list of "samples" to see which one best matches your car.
For example, the metallic gray of the 2014 Ford Ecosport matches the color “Sea Gray Met”, which is color coded 6DYE
Step 4. Consult a forum of vehicle enthusiasts
It is sometimes difficult to determine the color of a car, especially if it is a very old vehicle or if the original paintwork is damaged, discolored or altered. Check out communities like FordForum.com if you're having trouble finding the most suitable colors.