[Daily Knowledge] How to choose the color of the repair pen that is closest to the original car paint?
1. Find your car paint code
- Most cars have a unique paint color when they leave the factory.
- Color numbers are usually posted in these places:
- Under the hood (inner wall of engine compartment)
- Door frame or inside of B-pillar
- Inside the trunk lid
- Instruction manual or maintenance manual
- The color number is usually a combination of English letters + numbers , such as "NH-731P", "8E9", "1F7", etc.
2. Purchase a repair pen according to the color number
- Give priority to original repair pens or those with marked color numbers.
- When purchasing, check your car's paint color by checking with the car manufacturer, dealer, online auto supply store or car beauty shop.
- For some brands/online stores, you can directly enter "year + car model + color number" to search for the corresponding repair pen.
3. Avoid buying based on color names alone
- Names like "Pearl White", "Glacier Blue", and "Sapphire Black" are easy to confuse, and different brands and years may have different tones even if the names are the same.
- Therefore , you must refer to the color number , not just the color description.
4. Actual comparison and testing
- After getting the repair pen, you can first test apply it on a small invisible area (such as the inside of a car door) to confirm that the colors are similar and there is no obvious difference before officially using it.
- Some silver, pearl white, and colors with special layers may have a base color and a topcoat. In this case, it is recommended to buy a "two-component" repair pen (base color + topcoat).
5. What if I can’t find the color number?
- You can contact the car manufacturer's customer service or dealer, report the vehicle's year of manufacture, model, and vehicle frame number (VIN) , and they will help you find the correct color number.
- Some car beauty shops can adjust the color on site, but generally speaking, the original color number is better for better accuracy.
6. Tips for purchasing a repair pen
- Choose reputable sellers or original accessories to avoid large color differences or poor quality.
- After opening, the repair pen should be kept sealed to prevent it from drying out.
Summary of simple steps
- Check the color number → 2. Choose according to the color number → 3. Test coat first → 4. Then do the formal repair