Chevrolet Paint Code Location Guide for Every Model: Find Your Exact Color Match Fast
There’s a special kind of relief that comes from finding the exact paint code for your Chevy—whether you’re touching up a rock chip on your Silverado or restoring a classic Corvette to its former glory.
You’ve just noticed that annoying scratch on your Tahoe’s door, or maybe you’re planning a full repaint of your project Camaro. You know the color you want, but tracking down that magic number feels like a treasure hunt. Where do Chevy engineers hide these codes, anyway? And why do they change locations depending on the model year? We’re going to walk you through every hiding spot, from the glove box to the trunk, so you can find your paint code without the frustration.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Your Chevy’s paint code is typically found on the Service Parts Identification sticker, a white or silver label located in several key spots. The most common location is inside the glove box on the lid, especially for trucks and SUVs. Other spots include the driver’s side door jamb, under the trunk lid, and the spare tire well. The code usually starts with “WA” followed by numbers and letters, or you might see “BC/CC U” (basecoat/clearcoat upper body color). For two-tone vehicles, “U” means upper color and “L” means lower color. Modern Camaros and some newer models may use a QR code system. Getting this code right is the only way to ensure your touch-up paint matches perfectly.
Key Takeaways
- The glove box is your first stop: Most Chevy trucks and SUVs (Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado) have the paint code sticker right inside the glove box lid.
- Door jambs are the second most common spot: Check the driver’s side door jamb, especially on cars like the Impala and newer Camaros.
- Trunk and spare tire areas are popular for cars: Many sedans and sports cars hide the sticker under the trunk lid or in the spare tire well.
- Paint codes look like WA8555 or U8555: They’re often 4-5 characters long, starting with letters that indicate the paint system.
- Two-tone cars have two codes: Look for a “U” code (upper body) and an “L” code (lower body or bumpers).
- Modern Camaros use QR codes: 2018 and newer Camaro models have a QR code on the driver’s door jamb that you can scan for paint information.
Finding Your Chevy’s Paint Code: The Most Common Locations
Chevrolet has been hiding these codes in the same general spots for decades, but each model has its own favorite place. Let’s start with the most common locations.
Inside the Glove Box
This is the gold standard location for most Chevy trucks and SUVs . If you own a Silverado, Colorado, Tahoe, Suburban, Equinox, or Trailblazer, the Service Parts Identification sticker is almost certainly on the inside of the glove box lid . Open the glove box and look up at the lid—you’ll see a white or silver label covered in three-character codes. Your paint code is usually near the bottom of this sticker.
The sticker might look like a jumble of letters and numbers at first, but the paint code is usually one of the last items listed. Look for something starting with “WA,” “U,” or “BC/CC.”
Driver’s Side Door Jamb
If you don’t find it in the glove box, your next stop should be the driver’s door jamb . This is where the door latches shut. Many Chevy models, especially cars like the Impala and newer Camaros, place the Service Parts Identification sticker here . On some vehicles, you might also find it on the B-pillar (the vertical post between the front and rear doors) .
Trunk Areas and Spare Tire Compartments
Cars and coupes often hide the sticker in the trunk. Check these spots:
- Under the trunk lid: Many Caprice, Monte Carlo, and Impala models have the sticker here .
- Spare tire cover or wheel well: Models like the Cobalt, Malibu, and Nova often have it here .
- Rear storage compartment: For vehicles like the Corvette, the code might be found in the left rear storage compartment .
Other Notable Locations
Some Chevrolets have more creative hiding spots:
- Under the driver’s seat: Some Express vans and older models place the sticker here .
- Rear face of the passenger door: Certain Express and Kodiak models use this location .
- Passenger side sun visor: The Tracker sometimes has the code here .
- Inside the center console: Some Camaro and Corvette models have it here .
Chevrolet Paint Code Location by Model
Here’s a quick reference guide for specific Chevrolet models and where to find their paint codes :
| Model | Primary Location | Secondary Location |
|---|---|---|
| Silverado | Glove Box | – |
| Tahoe | Glove Box | – |
| Suburban | Glove Box | – |
| Colorado | Glove Box | – |
| Equinox | Glove Box | – |
| Trailblazer | Glove Box | – |
| Impala | Glove Box | Driver’s Door Jamb |
| Malibu | Glove Box | Spare Tire Cover |
| Corvette | Glove Box | Center Console, Rear Storage |
| Camaro (2010-2015) | Trunk (under carpet, driver side) | – |
| Camaro (2016-2017) | Trunk (under carpet liner) | – |
| Camaro (2018+) | Driver’s Door Jamb (QR code) | – |
| Express Van | Rear Face of Right Door | B-Pillar Face |
| Tracker | Glove Box | Passenger Sun Visor |
| Monte Carlo | Inside Trunk Deck Lid | Spare Tire Cover |
Understanding What Your Paint Code Means
Once you find the code, you need to know how to read it. Chevy paint codes come in a few formats, but they all point to the same thing.
The WA Format
The most common format starts with “WA” followed by four digits, like WA8555 (Black) or WA926L . This is the internal General Motors code for the paint color. You might also see it written without the “WA,” simply as the four digits .
The BC/CC U Format
You’ll often see “BC/CC” on the sticker, which stands for Basecoat/Clearcoat . This tells you the paint system used on your Chevy. Following this, you might see a “U” which stands for Upper body color . So, a code like BC/CC U8554 means you have a basecoat/clearcoat system in the color that matches the “U” (upper body) code 8554.
Two-Tone Paint Codes
If your Chevy is a two-tone model, you’ll see two separate codes . The “U” code is for the upper body color, and the “L” code is for the lower body or bumper color. For example, a two-tone Chevy might have a “U” code for the primary body color and an “L” code for the secondary accent color.
G-Codes and WA-Codes
For newer Camaros, you might see two different code formats . The “G” code is what body shops typically reference, while the “WA” code is used internally by GM. Both point to the same color—just know that if you have a code like GBD, your WA equivalent is WA638R.
The paint code is just one piece of the puzzle. Years of sun exposure can fade your paint, so even a perfect code match might need a professional to blend it seamlessly.
Model-Specific Paint Code Details
Let’s dive deeper into how to find the code on some of Chevy’s most popular models.
Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban
Open the glove box. The Service Parts Identification sticker is almost always on the inside of the lid . Look for a code starting with “BC/CC U” or “WA” near the bottom of the sticker. On these trucks, the code is often printed on a white or silver label.
If your truck’s sticker is faded or damaged, you can also check the driver’s side door jamb as a backup location.
Chevrolet Corvette
The Corvette has multiple possible locations depending on the generation :
- C4, C5, C6, C7 generations: Check the glove box lid for the Service Parts Identification sticker .
- C5 generation specifically: You might also find the code on the left rear storage compartment cover or in the center console .
- Vintage Corvettes (1960s-1970s): The code might be on a metal plate in the driver’s door jamb or on the firewall.
For C5 Corvettes, common paint codes include:
- 10U: Arctic White
- 41U: Black
- 70U: Torch Red
- 88U: Medium Spiral Gray Metallic
Chevrolet Camaro (2010-2024)
The Camaro’s paint code location changed over the years :
- 2010-2015: Look in the trunk under the carpet liner on the driver’s side. You’ll find the Service Parts Identification sticker there.
- 2016-2017: Check under the carpet liner in the trunk. It’s a similar spot to the earlier models.
- 2018-2024: Look for a QR code on the driver’s side door jamb. Scan this QR code with your phone, and it will give you your factory paint code information .
Classic Chevrolets (1967-1986)
The older trucks and cars used a different system . Instead of “WA” codes, they used two-digit or three-digit RPO codes for exterior colors. For example:
- 19: Midnight Black
- 26: Bright Blue
- 41: Spring Green
- 70: Cardinal Red
These codes were often on a placard in the glove box or inside the driver’s door panel . For even older models (1946-1954), the paint number was listed on a body plate, like “Paint No. 336” for Mayland Black .
Still Can’t Find the Code? Try These Options
Sometimes the sticker is missing, faded, or damaged. Here’s what to do.
Check the VIN: Your Vehicle Identification Number can sometimes be used to look up the original paint color . Contact a GM dealership with your VIN, and they can usually provide the original paint code.
Use an online paint code lookup: Many websites and touch-up paint retailers allow you to search by your Chevy’s year, model, and trim to find the paint code . If the car has been repainted, the code is useless. You’ll need to match the current color, which might be different from the factory original.
Consult a professional: Auto body shops and paint suppliers have color matching tools that can analyze your current paint and mix a perfect match, even without the code.
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FAQ: Your Top Chevy Paint Code Questions Answered
Q: My paint code sticker is faded and unreadable. What do I do?
A: Contact a Chevrolet dealership with your VIN. They can look up the original paint code for your specific vehicle.
Q: What’s the difference between WA8555 and U8555?
A: They are the same color. WA is the internal GM format, and U is the “upper body” designation . Both point to the same paint.
Q: My Chevy has a QR code in the door jamb. Is that the paint code?
A: On newer Camaros (2018+), the QR code contains information that can give you the paint code . Scan it with your phone’s camera.
Q: Where do I find the paint code on a 1967 Chevy truck?
A: The code is often on a placard in the glove box or inside the driver’s door panel. It will be a two or three-digit code like “19” for Midnight Black .
Q: What does “BC/CC” mean on the label?
A: It stands for Basecoat/Clearcoat . This tells you the paint system used on your vehicle—a color coat covered by a clear protective layer.
Q: I have a two-tone Chevy. How many paint codes will I find?
A: You’ll find two codes: one starting with “U” for the upper body color and one starting with “L” for the lower body or bumper color .
Q: Can I use the paint code for any year of the same model?
A: Not always. Chevy reuses paint names but changes the code. “Torch Red” has had different codes over the years, so always verify the code matches your specific year.
References
Chevrolet Paint Code and Color Resources:
