Where can I find paint code if not on door
#4
On Probation
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
Depending on year it could also be in the "trunk" area in one of the stowage cubbys.
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
It’s also pretty easy to find based on the year and trim.
For IROCs in 88 for example they only made so many colors:
You need the WA code as well as the number followed by a “U” in the RPO..
My 88 paint code is 74U WA9535 which as you see above is listed as a 1989 color. They changed the Dark Red Metallic throughout the years so the code will be “74” but the WA numbers change.
I’d bet you can figure it out even without the SPID
For IROCs in 88 for example they only made so many colors:
You need the WA code as well as the number followed by a “U” in the RPO..
My 88 paint code is 74U WA9535 which as you see above is listed as a 1989 color. They changed the Dark Red Metallic throughout the years so the code will be “74” but the WA numbers change.
I’d bet you can figure it out even without the SPID
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Wyckoff, NJ
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes
on
10 Posts
Car: 86 Yellow IROC
Engine: 305 Carb
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
It will be located on the embossed trim tag plate riveted to the radiator core support. It will be two digits followed by L and another two digits followed by U then "ENAMEL".
Using the example in the reply above, his car's tag would read: "74L 74U ENAMEL" which means it had the same color ground effects as the body as ALL IROCs did.
Without giving a dissertation on the subject, there are some instances where the L and U colors would be different due to lower ground effects (or body itself) being available in contrasting color for example Sport Coupe, 82-87 Z28, Berlinetta, B4C, but that depends on model year.
Using the example in the reply above, his car's tag would read: "74L 74U ENAMEL" which means it had the same color ground effects as the body as ALL IROCs did.
Without giving a dissertation on the subject, there are some instances where the L and U colors would be different due to lower ground effects (or body itself) being available in contrasting color for example Sport Coupe, 82-87 Z28, Berlinetta, B4C, but that depends on model year.
#7
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
It will be located on the embossed trim tag plate riveted to the radiator core support. It will be two digits followed by L and another two digits followed by U then "ENAMEL".
Using the example in the reply above, his car's tag would read: "74L 74U ENAMEL" which means it had the same color ground effects as the body as ALL IROCs did.
Without giving a dissertation on the subject, there are some instances where the L and U colors would be different due to lower ground effects (or body itself) being available in contrasting color for example Sport Coupe, 82-87 Z28, Berlinetta, B4C, but that depends on model year.
Using the example in the reply above, his car's tag would read: "74L 74U ENAMEL" which means it had the same color ground effects as the body as ALL IROCs did.
Without giving a dissertation on the subject, there are some instances where the L and U colors would be different due to lower ground effects (or body itself) being available in contrasting color for example Sport Coupe, 82-87 Z28, Berlinetta, B4C, but that depends on model year.
On the two tone Z28s the “L” code would be different.
You need the WA numbers too because there are slight variations even though the two digits might be the same from year to year..
Trending Topics
#9
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mantua NJ
Posts: 5,849
Received 74 Likes
on
66 Posts
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
What car do you have? and what color do you think the car is now?
#11
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mantua NJ
Posts: 5,849
Received 74 Likes
on
66 Posts
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
I'm getting GM code WA8774 for Bright Red.
I don't know how many
Reds Firebird had for 87 think there was two bright Red and Dark Red.
I don't know how many
Reds Firebird had for 87 think there was two bright Red and Dark Red.
#12
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
Yeah, I see Code 81U Bright Red WA8774 same code for 87-90 GTA
The Dark Red, Flame Red, Maroon changed slightly through the years, so be careful if your car is a dark/metallic red
The Dark Red, Flame Red, Maroon changed slightly through the years, so be careful if your car is a dark/metallic red
#13
Moderator
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
Guys, please be cautious with some of the info your giving regarding paint. The U and L codes usually match regardless of the actual lower color. The Z28s do not list a color code for the charcoal, silver or gold ground effects. The U and L will be the same color code.
In another thread, a black and gold Trans Am also had the same code used for the U and L, but it obviously had the gold accents, so the Firebirds may be the same as the Camaros and don't actually list the lower color on the SPID or the data plate.
In another thread, a black and gold Trans Am also had the same code used for the U and L, but it obviously had the gold accents, so the Firebirds may be the same as the Camaros and don't actually list the lower color on the SPID or the data plate.
#14
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mantua NJ
Posts: 5,849
Received 74 Likes
on
66 Posts
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
Notice the Trans Am color codes with the lower Aero Mldg.they have the same paint codes with a different lower aero molding color.
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
Aside from the upper/lower split rarely having to do with the lower accent color, there's no body tag riveted to the radiator in 87 or any of the mid/late cars. There's also no SPID in the trunk glovebox except for 91.5-92 cars.
#16
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
Guys, please be cautious with some of the info your giving regarding paint. The U and L codes usually match regardless of the actual lower color. The Z28s do not list a color code for the charcoal, silver or gold ground effects. The U and L will be the same color code.
In another thread, a black and gold Trans Am also had the same code used for the U and L, but it obviously had the gold accents, so the Firebirds may be the same as the Camaros and don't actually list the lower color on the SPID or the data plate.
In another thread, a black and gold Trans Am also had the same code used for the U and L, but it obviously had the gold accents, so the Firebirds may be the same as the Camaros and don't actually list the lower color on the SPID or the data plate.
I’d assume if the code was the same it would probably not be the right lower color..
#17
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
Just read up on it.. apparently you had to have a paint code book for GM and had to look up the lower code based on the Upper code.. Pretty strange they wouldn’t just give you both codes for two tone cars..
A lot of shops couldn’t find the lower codes so they’d just match the best they could..
Never knew that..
A lot of shops couldn’t find the lower codes so they’d just match the best they could..
Never knew that..
#18
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: In the paint booth!
Posts: 2,658
Received 1,186 Likes
on
664 Posts
Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.90 Currie 9 inch
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
Guys, please be cautious with some of the info your giving regarding paint. The U and L codes usually match regardless of the actual lower color. The Z28s do not list a color code for the charcoal, silver or gold ground effects. The U and L will be the same color code.
In another thread, a black and gold Trans Am also had the same code used for the U and L, but it obviously had the gold accents, so the Firebirds may be the same as the Camaros and don't actually list the lower color on the SPID or the data plate.
In another thread, a black and gold Trans Am also had the same code used for the U and L, but it obviously had the gold accents, so the Firebirds may be the same as the Camaros and don't actually list the lower color on the SPID or the data plate.
100% true. My car is a prime example. Original 21k mile 1982 Z28, silver with charcoal GFX and my radiator support tag says 16U and 16L both. Car has never been painted on
Last edited by dagwood; 06-29-2018 at 06:13 PM.
#19
Moderator
Re: Where can I find paint code if not on door
What's even more of an issue is a true two-tone car, like the '82 Pace Car is listed as 16U and 16L, when the lower is blue!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ZaphodB
Auto Detailing and Appearance
4
01-16-2003 12:35 PM
iroc_cragg
History / Originality
5
04-02-2002 12:40 AM
iroc_cragg
Tech / General Engine
3
04-01-2002 03:43 PM
camaro 22
Auto Detailing and Appearance
2
05-09-2001 10:48 PM