If you are the owner Nissan and were faced with the need to tint body parts, then the code KADG probably seemed like a mysterious set of letters to you. This four-digit identifier is key to accurately reproducing your vehicle's shade, but without understanding the designation system, it's easy to get it wrong. Unlike usual names like "metallic silver" or "deep black", factory codes Nissan hide behind a complex classification system, where each letter and number carries specific information about pigments, effects and even application technology.

The problem is complicated by the fact that the same code KADG may indicate different shades depending on the model year and region of production. For example, Nissan Qashqai 2018 and X-Trail 2020 models with the same code may be visually different due to updated paint formulas. In this article we will not only decipher the meaning KADG, but we will also show you how to avoid typical mistakes when choosing paint - from checking the original code on the plate to testing the shade in different lighting.

What does the KADG code mean in the Nissan color system?

Code KADG refers to the notation system Nissan Motor Co., where each position in the four-digit identifier carries specific information:

  • 🔠 First letter (K) - points to basic group of shades. In the case of "K" we are talking about gray or silver colors with a metallic effect. Other popular prefixes: "B" (white), "J" (red), "N" (black).
  • 🎨 Second letter (A) — determines tone subgroup. For gray colors it can be a cool or warm undertone. For example, "A" often denotes a neutral gray without yellowness.
  • ⚪ Third position (D) - points to effect type: "D" usually means metallic (metallic), while "P" is mother of pearl (pearl), and "S" is matte (solid).
  • 🔢 Fourth letter/number (G) — shade variation within the group. For example, "G" can represent a richer version of the base gray.

It is important to understand that KADG - this is not just the name of the color, but paint recipe, including the proportions of pigments, the type of binder and the recommended application technology. For example, for this code, the manufacturer may specify the use of a base layer KAD followed by varnishing G-class to achieve factory shine.

Why may the KADG code differ on different models?

At the factory Nissan use so-called "regional adaptations" of colors. For example, for the Japanese market the same KADG may have a slightly cooler undertone (with blue), while for Europe it is warmer (with a slight beige note). This is due to differences in lighting and climate conditions. In addition, since 2015 Nissan switched to environmentally friendly water-soluble paints, which also affected the shades of the old codes.

Where can I find the original color code for a Nissan?

Before ordering paint by code KADG, make sure it matches your car. The original color ID can be found in several places:

  1. Body plate (most reliable source). Usually located:
    • 🚗 On the driver's door pillar (under the seal)
    • 🔧 In the engine compartment (on the spar or the inside of the wing)
    • 🔩 In the trunk (on the rear panel, under the trim)

    Look for inscriptions like COLOR: KADG or PAINT: KADG next to the VIN code.

  2. Vehicle documentation:
    • 📄 In the service book (section "Technical data")
    • 📋 In the warranty card (sometimes duplicated)
    • 🖥️ In the electronic manual (for models from 2018)

⚠️ Attention: On some models Nissan (For example, Patrol Y62 or Navara NP300) color code can be specified in the format KAD/G is not a typo, but an alternative way of indicating the same shade. Always check the placard on the body, not the dealer's documents, where errors may occur.

Take a photo of the plate with the code on your phone|Check the code in 3 sources (body, documents, dealership)|Compare the code with the database of the official Nissan website|Check the year of manufacture - the code may have changed during restyling

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How to choose paint according to KADG code: step-by-step instructions

Even knowing the exact code KADG, do not rush to order the first jar you come across with this marking. The selection process requires taking into account several nuances:

1. Choosing a paint manufacturer

Original paints Nissan supplied by the company PPG (under the brand Nexa Autocolor), but there are also alternatives:

  • 🎯 Standox (Germany) - the code can be designated as KADG / 2345 (where 2345 is the internal identifier)
  • 🎯 Sikkens (Netherlands) - uses the format Nissan KADG = Sikkens U345.5020
  • 🎯 Mobihel (Russia) - often duplicates the original codes, but with a prefix NI-, for example NI-KADG

2. Type of paint

For KADG (metallic) you will need:

- Base layer (KAD)

- Tint pigment (G)

- Varnish (HS or MS - high or medium hard)

⚠️ Attention: If you are painting plastic parts (bumpers, moldings), you will need a special primer Nissan Plastic Primer — without it, the paint will peel off in 2-3 months.

3. Test application
Even original paint according to the KADG code can give a different shade when applied with a brush, spray can or spray gun. Always test paint on a scrap piece or test plate, comparing:

- Daylight

- Artificial lighting (halogen lamps)

- Cloudy weather (gray color appears differently)

By code from the plate|By VIN code through the dealer|I compare visually in the store|I trust the master in the car service-->

Typical mistakes when choosing KADG colors and how to avoid them

Experienced painters know: even with the original code KADG you may get unsatisfactory results. Here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

Error Consequences How to avoid
Ignoring the year of manufacture The shade may vary by 10-15% (for example, Qashqai 2017 vs 2020) Specify the code with the year prefix, for example KADG-17 or KADG-20
Buying paint without varnish Metallic KADG without varnish it looks dull and fades quickly Use varnish Nissan Clear Coat G-Class (code KLC-3)
Application in one layer Pigment KAD appears only from 2-3 layers, otherwise the color will be pale Follow the pattern: primer → 2 coats of base → 1 coat of tint → 2 coats of varnish
Use of cheap solvents May change paint viscosity and final shade The solvent must be the same brand as the paint (for example, PPG DX330)

⚠️ Attention: If your Nissan was painted previously (for example, after an accident), code KADG on the plate may not correspond to the actual body color. In this case, the only reliable way is spectrophotometric analysis in a professional car service center.

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When purchasing paint using a KADG code, always ask the retailer for a "fade chart" - this is a sample showing what the color will look like after 1, 3 and 5 years of use. This is especially true for silver metallics, which fade faster than other shades.

Alternate KADG color designations for Nissan

Code KADG may have "aliases" depending on the market or model. Here are the most common options:

  • 🌍 For Europe: KADG = QAB (in catalogs Nissan Europe)
  • 🇯🇵 For Japan: KADG = GAK (letter order reversed)
  • 🇺🇸 For USA: KADG = 21G (digital format)
  • 🔧 For spare parts: KADG-P (if the part is painted mother-of-pearl instead of metallic)

The code can also be supplemented with suffixes indicating special conditions:

- KADG/M — matte version (for example, for Nissan Juke)

- KADG/H — high-gloss version (for premium models like Murano)

- KADG/E — environmentally friendly water-soluble paint (since 2019)

If you are not sure whether the code matches, use the official catalog Nissan Paint Codes via the link: https://www.nissan-techinfo.com/paint (registration via VIN required).

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Always check your Nissan's production region - the same KADG code may mean different shades for vehicles manufactured in Japan, the UK or Russia.

How to maintain KADG color: care and protection

Silver metallic KADG especially susceptible to fading and micro-scratches. To keep the factory appearance:

  • 🚿 Washing: Use contactless shampoos with a pH of 5-7 (for example, Sonax Xtreme Brilliant Shine). Never wash your car in direct sunlight - the water evaporates too quickly, leaving streaks.
  • 🛡️ Protection: Apply a ceramic coating (eg. Ceramic Pro 9H) every 2 years. For KADG The optimal layer thickness is 2-3 microns.
  • 🔧 Polishing: Use pastes without abrasives (for example, 3M Perfect-It III). For metallic KADG Suitable for polishing with a grain size of no more than 2000 grit.
  • 🌳 Storage: Avoid parking under trees - sap and pollen can react with the varnish, causing stains. If this is unavoidable, use a microfiber cover.

To remove small scratches (up to 0.05 mm deep) on color KADG The wet grinding method is suitable:

  1. Clean the surface with alcohol (isopropyl 90%).
  2. Apply abrasive paste (Menzerna PO85RD 3.0).
  3. Polish with a sheepskin pad at 1200 rpm.
  4. Apply protective wax (Collinite 845).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan KADG color

Is it possible to order KADG paint in a can for local repairs?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • 🎨 Spray cans (for example, Motip KADG) are only suitable for small areas (up to 20 cm²).
  • 🔫 For uniform application, keep the can at a distance of 25-30 cm.
  • 🌡️ Optimal temperature for painting: 20-25°C (at +10°C the paint will lie unevenly).
Important: After spray painting, be sure to cover the area with varnish from the same set - otherwise a noticeable border will appear in a month.

Why does the KADG color look darker after painting than the rest of the body?

This is a typical problem with metallics. Reasons:

  • 🔦 Insufficient drying: Pigments KADG “float” to the surface when dried for 48 hours. If you dry it forcibly (with a hairdryer), the shade will remain dark.
  • 🎨 Incorrect solvent: For KADG needed slow solvent (eg PPG DT870). Fast solvent makes the color dull.
  • ☀️ Lighting: Compare the shade in diffuse daylight, and not under car service lamps (they distort the perception of gray).

Solution: If the difference is noticeable, apply another coat of varnish with a 5% additive. curing accelerator (For example, Sikkens Autoclear LV).

Which varnish code is suitable for KADG color?

For KADG Nissan recommends:

  • 🔹 Original varnish: Nissan Clear Coat KLC-3 (high gloss, class HS).
  • 🔹 Alternatives:
    • PPG: D8115 (for metallics)
    • Sikkens: Autoclear LV 230
    • Standox: VOC Clear 2K

⚠️ Attention: Varnish KLC-2 (medium hard) cheaper, but for KADG not suitable - it turns yellow after 1.5-2 years.

Can KADG paint be mixed with other codes to create a unique shade?

Technically yes, but:

  • 🧪 Proportions: The maximum addition of another pigment is 10% of the total volume. For example, for a “cooler” shade you can add 5% Nissan KH3 (bluish grey).
  • 🔬 Testing: The mixed paint should be applied to a test plate and dried under the same conditions as the main body.
  • ⚖️ Guarantees: Paint manufacturer (eg PPG) disclaims responsibility for the result when mixing codes.

Advice: If you want to experiment, use computer color matching in services with equipment Spectrophotometers (For example, X-Rite MA98). The cost of the service is about 1,500 rubles, but it is cheaper than repainting a part due to an error.