How to Locate the Paint Codes on a Chevy Tahoe
by Irene A. BlakePaint codes or "paint color codes"---imprinted on a label or plate on a vehicle by the manufacturer---serve as a reference for vehicle owners, dealers and professional vehicle painters/detailers to find the exact color of paint originally used by the manufacturer. Chevrolet has placed Tahoe paint codes on the Tahoe's "service parts identification sticker." Whether you're repainting your Tahoe or simply touching up some scarred, scratched or flaked areas, Chevy makes it easy to locate and read your Tahoe's paint codes.
Step 1
Open the passenger's side of your Chevrolet Tahoe.
Step 2
Open the glove box. If you locked your glove box, unlock it with your keys.
Step 3
Search the glove box for a white paper or silver label with "SERVICE PARTS IDENTIFICATION" and/or "DO NOT REMOVE" written across the top and a series of codes written numerically, alphabetically and alpha-numerically (only numbers, only letters and letters/numbers combined).
Step 4
Shine your flashlight on the label and look below the series of codes for a blank space followed beneath by the letters "BC/CC" or "U" and a four-digit code. BC/CC refers to the "BaseCoat/ClearCoat" paint used on your Tahoe. U refers to the "Upper" color or body color. If your Tahoe has two tones of paint, look for a U/four-digit code as well as an "L" for the "Lower" or bumper color and four-digit code.
Step 5
Write down the code(s).
References
Tips
- If your service parts identification label peels away from the interior of the glove box or falls off completely, cut a square from a clear laminate sheet slightly larger than the label. Hold the label in place. Cover it with your laminate and smooth over with your fingertips to stick the label back into its correct spot.
- If you're looking for a touch-up paint matched to your original paint color, look for the "closest" color and don't expect a "perfect" match. Paint applied by the manufacturer can have variations in color as the result of a wide variety of environmental, temperature and/or chemical causes at the time of application and an exact match may not be possible. In addition, natural weathering of your Tahoe's paint over time can affect your ability to match paint color.
- If you can't find your paint color or a color close to it, seek out a custom vehicle paint company that can take paint samples from your Tahoe and attempt to match.
Things You'll Need
- Car keys
- Flashlight
- Pen
- Paper
- Clear laminate (optional)
- Scissors (optional)
Warnings
- Never remove the service parts identification label from the interior of the glove box to obtain the paint code or to take with you when visiting a body shop or touchup, detailing or paint professional as you could lose the label. Besides paint codes, the service parts identification label also includes other important service parts codes necessary for maintenance and repair of your Tahoe.
Writer Bio
Based in Southern Pennsylvania, Irene A. Blake has been writing on a wide range of topics for over a decade. Her work has appeared in projects by The National Network for Artist Placement, the-phone-book Limited and GateHouse Media. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Shippensburg University.
