Paint Codes

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
Okay, so in attempting to get my bumper repaired, I sent the body guy my paint code, as directed by one of my forum mates. My TB is, as you can see, dark green metallic, and medium green wasn't an option in '03. So, when he delivers the truck my bumper is the wrong color. He shows me the can, it's DuPont paint, and it displays the correct code number, but says it's medium green.

Is there some kind of issue with GM paint codes, changing colors but not codes, that I need to know about? My '88 Beretta GT was black metallic, and every body shop in South Florida (I had accidents alternating with vandalism every year) wanted to paint it plain black.
 

meerschm

Member
Aug 26, 2012
1,079
UMEXT said:
Okay, so in attempting to get my bumper repaired, I sent the body guy my paint code, as directed by one of my forum mates. My TB is, as you can see, dark green metallic, and medium green wasn't an option in '03. So, when he delivers the truck my bumper is the wrong color. He shows me the can, it's DuPont paint, and it displays the correct code number, but says it's medium green.

Is there some kind of issue with GM paint codes, changing colors but not codes, that I need to know about? My '88 Beretta GT was black metallic, and every body shop in South Florida (I had accidents alternating with vandalism every year) wanted to paint it plain black.

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Touch Up Paint Colors

this list does not include a color called dark green. do you have a different list of 2003 TB colors? a lot of used car web sites have generic colors.
you could go back and ask the body shop if they have noted problems in original paint codes matching the rest of the car.
 

Wooluf1952

Member
Nov 20, 2011
2,663
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
meerschm said:
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Touch Up Paint Colors

this list does not include a color called dark green. do you have a different list of 2003 TB colors? a lot of used car web sites have generic colors.
you could go back and ask the body shop if they have noted problems in original paint codes matching the rest of the car.

That list has at least one flaw: They list Red Tint Coat Metallic and Wheatland Yellow, as #86
Chip Color Code(s) Color Description
11, 382E, WA382EPewter Metallic
379E, 86, WA379ERed Tint Coat Metallic <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
39, 9792, WA9792Indigo Blue Metallic
41, 8555, GBA, WA8555Black
45, 9015, WA9015Woodland Green
47, 9539, WA9539Medium Green Metallic
50, 8624, GAZ, WA8624Olympic White
58, 711J, WA711JSandalwood Metallic
61, 9403, WA9403Tan
62, 805K, WA805KDark Spiral Gray Metallic
74, 9260, WA9260Victory Red
816K, 92, WA816KSilver Green Metallic
86, 9418, WA9418Wheatland Yellow <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
88, 9417, WA9417Tangier Orange
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
My 02 is listed as Forest Green Metallic. I've had a hard time finding proper matching touch-up paint too.

No idea why GM had so many variations on the green that the various paint sources can't seem to agree on :crazy:
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
meerschm said:
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Touch Up Paint Colors

this list does not include a color called dark green. do you have a different list of 2003 TB colors? a lot of used car web sites have generic colors.
you could go back and ask the body shop if they have noted problems in original paint codes matching the rest of the car.

Please look to the left. It's not dark green, nor is it medium green or medium green metallic. It's dark green metallic. The work wasn't done by a body shop because I can't afford $800-900 to fix a small hole (or, for that matter, a big one). I'm beginning to think, based on what I see here, that I may never get a match, which breaks my heart. This is (was?) the best paint job I've had on any vehicle.
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
Sparky said:
My 02 is listed as Forest Green Metallic. I've had a hard time finding proper matching touch-up paint too.

No idea why GM had so many variations on the green that the various paint sources can't seem to agree on :crazy:

BTW, straight from chat with a GM rep tonight:

Nita:
I will be happy to review your vehicle summary for the name of the paint color for the 9539 paint code. Please hold.
22:53:31Nita:
Dark green metallic is the color in your vehicle build
 

meerschm

Member
Aug 26, 2012
1,079
UMEXT said:
BTW, straight from chat with a GM rep tonight:

Nita:
I will be happy to review your vehicle summary for the name of the paint color for the 9539 paint code. Please hold.
22:53:31Nita:
Dark green metallic is the color in your vehicle build

I was just asking where you found the name "Dark Green Metallic". the source document.

So you have a TB with a special color, not easily found. if you cannot (or do not want to) pay a body shop to do the work, you need to find a paint vendor who works with the body shops to custom blend a matching paint.

I would start by calling web vendors and local folks. The site I found above (and have not used) lists 888-710-5192 to call if you have a color not listed.

good luck!:smile:
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
meerschm said:
I was just asking where you found the name "Dark Green Metallic". the source document.

So you have a TB with a special color, not easily found. if you cannot (or do not want to) pay a body shop to do the work, you need to find a paint vendor who works with the body shops to custom blend a matching paint.

I would start by calling web vendors and local folks. The site I found above (and have not used) lists 888-710-5192 to call if you have a color not listed.

good luck!:smile:

How can it possibly be a "special color, not easily found," when it's in the pick list provided by this site at registration, and when there's another, identical truck in the small town where I work?

It's the color of the truck, and your aftermarket sources have it wrong. Does anyone else have a solution? :mad:
 

meerschm

Member
Aug 26, 2012
1,079
UMEXT said:
How can it possibly be a "special color, not easily found," when it's in the pick list provided by this site at registration, and when there's another, identical truck in the small town where I work?

It's the color of the truck, and your aftermarket sources have it wrong. Does anyone else have a solution? :mad:

well, I do not own or claim any interest in the sources offered. just trying to help. if it was easy to find, your first effort to paint based on the numerical code would have worked fine. it does look strange that GM used that code for a lot of green cars/trucks (which somehow come out different)

I offered a solution to call the vendor who lists a number to call if your paint color is not listed, or to contact someone (like a body shop) who does this for a living. you have the truck and want to find the paint.


does your green look like the one here?

http://www.gmfleet.com/content/dam/...e/Shared_Resources/PDFs/20120806164202560.pdf
 

Blckshdw

Moderator
Nov 20, 2011
10,747
Tampa Bay Area, FL
My particular color of silver is hard to locate. Bought a couple of rattle cans from Automotive Touchup, and was pleased with the results. (when I did the proper prep work, that is) :twocents:
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
meerschm said:
well, I do not own or claim any interest in the sources offered. just trying to help. if it was easy to find, your first effort to paint based on the numerical code would have worked fine. it does look strange that GM used that code for a lot of green cars/trucks (which somehow come out different)

I offered a solution to call the vendor who lists a number to call if your paint color is not listed, or to contact someone (like a body shop) who does this for a living. you have the truck and want to find the paint.


does your green look like the one here?

http://www.gmfleet.com/content/dam/...e/Shared_Resources/PDFs/20120806164202560.pdf

No, not that it matters. Whether it's my laptop or the original source document, this is useless. I've owned three Victory Red Chevys, and none of them were the color displayed here, which looks burgundy on my screen.
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
Blckshdw said:
My particular color of silver is hard to locate. Bought a couple of rattle cans from Automotive Touchup, and was pleased with the results. (when I did the proper prep work, that is) :twocents:

I would be scared shitless to paint an entire bumper with rattle cans, and even if I had the skills to use professional equipment, by the time I bought it I'd be out as much money as going to the stealership.
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
meerschm said:
well, I do not own or claim any interest in the sources offered. just trying to help. if it was easy to find, your first effort to paint based on the numerical code would have worked fine. it does look strange that GM used that code for a lot of green cars/trucks (which somehow come out different)

I offered a solution to call the vendor who lists a number to call if your paint color is not listed, or to contact someone (like a body shop) who does this for a living. you have the truck and want to find the paint.


does your green look like the one here?

http://www.gmfleet.com/content/dam/...e/Shared_Resources/PDFs/20120806164202560.pdf

I will say that Green Metallic has the same code as mine, which goes back to my original theory that the same GM paint codes are randomly assigned to different colors.
 

6716

Member
Jul 24, 2012
833
UMEXT, sorry man, I just checked my glove box and it turns out that the color of my vehicle is Emerald Jewel Metallic, U215M, not Dark Green Metallic. I just changed my profile.

When I chose Dark Green Metallic setting up my profile, I think I just thought it sounded manlier than Emerald Jewel Metallic, and I ran with it, since at the time I didn't know how to read the glove box sticker.

The automotive touch-up site 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Touch Up Paint Colors listed in an earlier comment seems like it would have your color. Don't let the appearance of the color on your computer screen mess you up. From my years in remodeling I've advised hundreds of clients to see the actual paint sample, and not to rely on what their computer monitor settings show as the color.

If you get a lock on the code, order a sample and see how they match in the sunlight.
 

6716

Member
Jul 24, 2012
833
This site seems to suggest that "Dark Green Metallic" was just one promotional name given to the GM color 9539.

GM code WA9539

Here's an Avalanche owner with the same paint code who tried a bunch of different stuff

Print Page - Need help Matching GM factory color to enamel paint for cladding (new Pics)

This site seems to suggest that the VIN doesn't tell them the color, but it helps with color variances.

Finding Your PaintScratch Touch-Up Color Code

Here's a silverado with the same problem you have:

paint don't match right...where to get it? - Chevy Truck Forum | GMC Truck Forum - GmFullsize.com

Sounds like paint is just a pain.
 

OctaneRider03

Member
Jul 31, 2012
430
Hmmmm...
 

OctaneRider03

Member
Jul 31, 2012
430
I have a slight feeling that I'm going to have a fun time respraying my truck next week.. Good grief. I'm not going to lie, I've got a book that sent me in circles over different colors. I noticed GM has a lot of "cute" names for different shades of colors.. Whatever dude...
 

Blckshdw

Moderator
Nov 20, 2011
10,747
Tampa Bay Area, FL
Automotive Touchup sends you some test cards with your order. You're supposed to spray the card until you can't see the logo/text and then hold it up to your vehicle to make sure the paint you received matches before you start working on it. If the paint doesn't match, then you fill out the backside of the card, and send the stuff back. I've never had any orders not match, so I can't speak to their customer service levels, but I suppose that's a good thing. :cool:

Took this pic this morning, received a new rattle can Wednesday. My crossbar needs to get resprayed after 3 years.

IMAG0166.jpg


IMAG0167.jpg
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
Blckshdw said:
Automotive Touchup sends you some test cards with your order. You're supposed to spray the card until you can't see the logo/text and then hold it up to your vehicle to make sure the paint you received matches before you start working on it. If the paint doesn't match, then you fill out the backside of the card, and send the stuff back. I've never had any orders not match, so I can't speak to their customer service levels, but I suppose that's a good thing. :cool:

Took this pic this morning, received a new rattle can Wednesday. My crossbar needs to get resprayed after 3 years.

IMAG0166.jpg


IMAG0167.jpg

Which is great, but does me no good whatever. I need to shoot an entire bumper.
 

Blckshdw

Moderator
Nov 20, 2011
10,747
Tampa Bay Area, FL
UMEXT said:
Which is great, but does me no good whatever. I need to shoot an entire bumper.

Sure it does. You get a can or 2, spray the test card, and make sure it matches the same color of your fender. If/when it does, then you remove/prep your bumper and do work! :biggrin: :yes: :cool:

Then you pat yourself on the back, as you think to yourself "Yeah, I'm a bad ass!" Then go have a beer.
 

meerschm

Member
Aug 26, 2012
1,079

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
meerschm said:
if you are still looking for some paint, you could google: "brevard county FL automotive paint matching"

and make a few calls or drive over.

Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida Auto Collision Repair Service, Custom Painting & Welded Rust Repair

lists "paint matching tech support" on their web page. they probably know what to do to paint to make sure it stays put on a flexible bumper panel too.



if not, look at the bright side, a mismatched bumper gives you something to talk about! :hissyfit:

I find it exceptionally touching that people who obviously know I found this site, think I need help with Google.

I've already been there. The estimate was over $900. If I had $900 to fix a hole smaller than my fist, I WOULDN'T NEED A FUCKING DIY WEBSITE, now would I?

Is there anyone here with any actual help to offer?
 

6716

Member
Jul 24, 2012
833
UMEXT said:
Is there anyone here with any actual help to offer?

Here's a tip: go fuck yourself.
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
Wow dude chill out. People have TRIED giving you some help to figure it out, but all you have done is throw it in their face and get angry with them. Blckshdw gave you some good advice on who to go through for paint, and how to make sure it matches before using it on your bumper, and you totally brushed him off too. What is your paint code in your glovebox anyway? That might help us. I've seen 3 different names given from 3 different sources before for the same color, which complicates things.

Now tell us, do you REALLY want help with this or not :dunce:

Give us some more stuff to work with and stop biting people's heads off. Please, give the paint code on your glovebox sticker and a good pic of the existing paint and a good pic of the non-matching new paint.

Did you contact DuPont? It is possible they got the code and the paint color mixed up also.

*edit* just saw you mentioned 9539. Guess what? My truck has the SAME code listed in my glovebox! But my window sticker says "forest green metallic." So I did some searching and there are apparently variations to this 9539 code. Polo green, dark green, medium green, forest green, etc... all names given to this 9539 code.

There is a second number to the right of the 9539, 2 digits and a letter. I THINK it might be a "sub code" so to speak? Mine is 95D for example. I'm really not sure however and I'm not finding much info on that.

This just proves that there is quite a lot of variation in colors of the same color code, and I suspect the best way to get it to match for sure is going to be taking it to a shop who can mix paint properly.
 

meerschm

Member
Aug 26, 2012
1,079
UMEXT said:
I find it exceptionally touching that people who obviously know I found this site, think I need help with Google.

I've already been there. The estimate was over $900. If I had $900 to fix a hole smaller than my fist, I WOULDN'T NEED A FUCKING DIY WEBSITE, now would I?

Is there anyone here with any actual help to offer?

so did you ask for an estimate, or to order a quart of paint?

how much did you pay your body guy who painted it for you?
how did you react when it came back and you did not like the color?
did you pay him for the paint he used?
did you pay him for the repair?
did you pay him for the labor to paint the bumper?


did you call the vendor I suggested, or just rant and complain?

paint matching is not rocket science. you could probably take it to Home Depot and have some mixed up that would do the trick.

and to close with a helpful suggestion, perhaps you need a self-help web site, for help dealing with unsatisfied expectations.

try this one.

http://men.webmd.com/guide/anger-management

we can only offer help based on our experience and understanding related to the truck.
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
meerschm said:
so did you ask for an estimate, or to order a quart of paint?

how much did you pay your body guy who painted it for you?
how did you react when it came back and you did not like the color?
did you pay him for the paint he used?
did you pay him for the repair?
did you pay him for the labor to paint the bumper?


did you call the vendor I suggested, or just rant and complain?

paint matching is not rocket science. you could probably take it to Home Depot and have some mixed up that would do the trick.

and to close with a helpful suggestion, perhaps you need a self-help web site, for help dealing with unsatisfied expectations.

try this one.

Mental Health: Managing Anger

we can only offer help based on our experience and understanding related to the truck.


And once I got the paint from Home Depot, how exactly would I apply it to the bumper? By the time I bought my own equipment to paint the truck, I'd be at the dollar amount required to pay a body shop. Which I don't have, or again, I wouldn't be here asking for help.

My request was clear in the post which started the thread. People keep offering suggestions which have nothing to do with the request. I barely had the hand steadiness to spray paint a model car before I got into an accident and got my shoulder held together by bolts. I'll be buggered if I'm going to spray paint a $33,000 vehicle now.

If you think I have anger management issues, you are welcome not to read my posts, or complain to a moderator. But keep your self-righteous, superior attitude to yourself. I only want experience and understanding related to the truck. I don't want or need advice on how to live my life, from you or anyone else here.
 

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