Crossover owners Nissan X-Trail Often faced with the need to restore paintwork after minor accidents or corrosion damage. The main difficulty in this process lies not in the painting itself, but in the exact selection of shade, which can differ even within the same production series. Even a slight difference in color will be noticeable in the light, especially on the horizontal surfaces of the hood or trunk lid.
Manufacturer Nissan uses a complex coding system, where a numerical value determines the base color, and letter indices indicate the type of pigment, the presence of mother-of-pearl or metallic. Understanding this system allows you to avoid purchasing incompatible material and unnecessary financial costs. Ignoring the exact code will result in the repair area appearing like a "patch" even though the color appears visually similar under artificial lighting.
Where is the color identification plate located?
The main source of reliable information about the color of your car is the factory identification plate, which is attached to the body in a strictly defined place. For model Nissan X-Trail (generation T30, T31, T32 and newer) this location is most often located on the B-pillar on the driver's side. You need to open the door and carefully inspect the bottom of the B-pillar, where a sticker with the VIN and other technical information is usually affixed.
On this sticker you will find a column with the inscription Paint or Color, next to which the paint code will be indicated. Sometimes the code can be split into two parts, e.g. C10 and 000, where the first part represents the base color and the second represents the shade option or base layer for the pearlescent. It is important not to confuse this number with the varnish code or body code, which are also present on the label.
In some cases, especially on cars that have undergone body repairs from an official dealer, the original plate can be replaced or supplemented with a new sticker from the service. In such situations, always check the data in the service book or dealer database, as the technician could have used a different shade to eliminate the defects of the previous owner.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to find the paint code by body number (VIN) through third-party online services without verification. Many databases contain errors, and the color listed on the VIN may not match the actual color of your vehicle due to factory color changes.
Explanation of meanings and types of coatings
Paint code Nissan consists of three symbols that carry information about the chemical composition of the enamel. The letter at the beginning of the code often indicates the type of coating: the absence of a letter or specific letters can mean the presence of a metallic pigment (metallic), a pearlescent layer (pearl) or a classic single-layer color (solid). For example, code QAB corresponds to black mother of pearl, and K12 - white single-layer color.
Understanding the coating type is critical to material selection. If you try to paint over an area with mother-of-pearl with regular enamel, the result will be disastrous: the lack of color depth and characteristic shine that creates the effect of “shine” under the sun’s rays. For Nissan X-Trail With pearlescent coating, a two- or three-component application system is required, including a base, pearlescent layer and varnish.
There are also codes that indicate special paint options, such as matte finishes or two-tone exteriors, which are often found on top trims. In this case, the plate may show two different paint codes separated by a slash or dot, indicating different colors on the main panels and roof or hood components.
- Metallic
- Mother of pearl
- Regular (Solid)
- I don't know
Table of popular shades for Nissan X-Trail
Below is a table with the most common colors found on the country's roads. This data will help you get a rough idea of what shade is used on your SUV before looking for the exact code on the plate. Please note that color names may vary depending on the year of manufacture and market.
| Paint code | Color name | Coverage type | Approximate year of manufacture |
|---|---|---|---|
| QAB | Black Pearl | Mother of pearl | 2014 - 2022 |
| K12 | White | Single layer | 2007 - 2022 |
| QAY | Brilliant Silver | Metallic | 2013 - 2020 |
| QAT | Deep Blue | Mother of pearl | 2016 - 2021 |
| QAK | Gun Metallic | Metallic | 2014 - 2022 |
Using the data from the table is just a starting point. The actual color of your vehicle may vary due to sun fading or the use of non-original materials in previous repairs. Therefore, the final decision to purchase paint should be made only after checking the code on the plate.
⚠️ Attention: Code QAK (Gun Metallic) is often confused with regular gray metallic, but its shade has a specific greenish-blue undertone that cannot be recreated using a standard gray base without correction.
Code search algorithm for different generations
The location of the plate may vary slightly depending on the model generation Nissan X-Trail. For the first generation (T30), the label is often located on the driver's side pillar, but is sometimes moved to the inside of the trunk lid or even under the hood, on the engine compartment bulkhead. If you don't find the sticker on the counter, check these places.
The second generation (T31) and third generation (T32) adhere to a more standardized arrangement on the B-pillar. However, on facelift versions (e.g. T32 after 2017), the manufacturer may have changed the font format or added additional barcodes, making visual reading more difficult. In such cases, it is better to use a magnifying glass or a camera with macro photography to clearly see small numbers.
If the plate is lost, damaged by corrosion or painted over, the only reliable way to determine the color is computer diagnostics from a colorist. The specialist uses a spectrophotometer to take color readings from several areas of the body, excluding areas with previous repairs, and selects the paint formula manually.
☑️ Checking the location of the sign
Features of the selection of pearlescent paints
Pearlescent coatings such as Black Pearl or Brilliant Silver, are one of the most difficult to select and apply. Their structure consists of several layers: black or colored primer, a layer of mother-of-pearl (mica with pigment) and transparent varnish. An error in the thickness of the mother-of-pearl layer will result in a change in color depth, which will make the repair area visually different from the rest of the body.
When ordering paint for mother-of-pearl, be sure to indicate not only the main code, but also the base coat code, if it is indicated separately on the plate. In some cases, achieving the right effect requires applying an additional layer of “base” before the base color. This is especially true for dark pearlescent shades, where the black base plays a key role.
Do not try to mix pearlescent paint yourself, focusing only on visual similarity. Nacre particles have different sizes and orientations, which affects how light is refracted through the paint layer. Only professional equipment and strict adherence to the recipe guarantee that the color will change depending on the viewing angle, just like at the factory.
When painting mother of pearl, use special light panels or go outside to check the color in daylight. In a room with yellow light, errors in the shade of mother-of-pearl are practically invisible, but will become obvious in the sun.
Mistakes in self-selection and how to avoid them
The most common mistake when choosing paint on your own is ignoring body fading. A car that has been in use for more than 5 years inevitably changes its color when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. If you mix the paint exactly to factory code, the new area will look brighter and fresher than the rest of the body, creating a "patchwork" effect.
Colorists use a correction method by adding special pigments to the mixture to simulate fading. This could be reducing the brightness of the main pigment or adding a small amount of gray or brown. Without this step, even a perfectly coded color will look unnatural on an old car.
It is also worth considering that different body panels may have different shades even on a new car due to the specifics of the painting technology. The roof, hood and doors are often painted with different layer thicknesses, which affects the perception of color. Therefore, when doing local repairs, it is important to select the color not only according to the code, but also taking into account adjacent panels.
What to do if the paint code is erased?
If the plate is completely destroyed, you can try to find the code in the documents for the car, for example, in the service book or warranty card. Sometimes the code will be listed in the dealer's database if you have contacted them to order parts. As a last resort, you will have to contact a specialized laboratory for spectral color analysis.-->
How to order paint from a supplier correctly
To order paint, you will need not only the code itself, but also the VIN number of the car. Suppliers often use the VIN to clarify the year of manufacture and market into which the car was released, since the palette may vary depending on the region. For example, a color available for the European market may be different from the color available for the Japanese or American market.
When ordering paint, specify the type of packaging
concentrate, ready-mix or aerosol can. For professional repairs, a concentrate is best suited, which is mixed with solvent and hardener in the proportions indicated on the can. Aerosol cans are only suitable for small chips, but not for painting entire parts due to difficulties in controlling the thickness of the layer.
Check the expiration date of the paint and its storage conditions. Some types of enamel, especially mother-of-pearl, require special storage conditions and have a limited shelf life after opening. Make sure that the supplier guarantees a refund or exchange of the product if the color does not match your body after mixing.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I use the paint code on the door plate to match the color on the roof?
Yes, the paint code on the plate is universal for the entire car body. However, it is worth remembering that the roof may fade faster than other panels, so the actual color may differ from the one specified by the factory.
What if the paint code is four characters long?
A four-character code is often found on models with mother-of-pearl coating. The first three symbols represent the base color, while the fourth may indicate a shade option or basecoat layer. Please use all symbols when ordering.
Is it possible to mix the paint yourself according to the code?
In theory, yes, if you have access to a mixing formula and a high-precision scale. In practice, it is better to entrust this to a professional colorist, since the slightest error in proportion will lead to a color mismatch.
Why is the paint color in the catalog different from the color on the car?
The color on your monitor screen or in a printed catalog may be distorted due to color rendering settings. In addition, over time, the paint on a car fades, changing its shade. Actual color should always be verified against a physical sample or spectral analysis.
⚠️ Attention: No online color generator can guarantee a 100% match with the faded body of your Nissan X-Trail without taking into account individual operating conditions. Always test the color on a test swatch before applying it to the part.