2016 Chevrolet Equinox Paint Codes

Quick reference

Where to find your paint code

For your 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, the paint code is most commonly found on a sticker located on the glove box door. Open the glove box and look for a white or silver sticker with various codes and information. The paint code will typically be listed under a "BC/CC" heading or similar, and will start with "WA" followed by a four-digit number, often accompanied by a letter-number code (e.g., GBA / WA8555). In some rare cases, it might be on the driver's side door jamb or in the spare tire well, but the glove box is the primary location for the Equinox.

Best touch-up paint sources

When it comes to touching up minor scratches or chips on your 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, several reputable sources offer quality products:

• Dupli-Color: Widely available at automotive parts stores, Dupli-Color offers aerosol cans and paint pens for a quick and easy application. Be sure to select the correct paint code for your vehicle.
• AutomotiveTouchup: This company specializes in custom-mixed touch-up paint that precisely matches your vehicle's factory color. They offer a comprehensive range of products, including pens, bottles with brushes, and aerosol cans, along with primers and clear coats. Their color-matching accuracy is generally excellent.
• Tcoat custom-mix: Tcoat provides custom-mixed paints, often offering better color accuracy, especially for metallic and pearl finishes. They can typically match unique or harder-to-find colors.
• Dealerships: Your local Chevrolet dealership can also provide genuine OEM touch-up paint directly matched to your car's VIN. While sometimes a bit pricier, this guarantees the most accurate factory match.

How to use touch-up paint

Achieving a seamless repair with touch-up paint involves a few key steps:

1. Clean the area: Thoroughly clean the chipped or scratched area with soap and water, then dry completely. You can use a wax and grease remover for optimal adhesion.
2. Apply primer (if needed): For deeper chips that expose bare metal or plastic, apply a thin layer of primer. Allow it to dry according to the product instructions.
3. Apply base coat: Shake the touch-up paint well. Apply thin, even coats of the base color. Allow each coat to dry for 10-15 minutes before applying the next. Build up the paint slowly until it's level with the surrounding surface. For metallic or pearl paints, ensure consistent application to avoid blotchiness.
4. Apply clear coat: Once the base coat is dry, apply two to three thin layers of clear coat to protect the paint and provide a glossy finish. Allow adequate drying time between coats and a full cure time before polishing.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

Pearl and tri-coat paints, like the Crimson Red Tintcoat or Iridescent Pearl Tricoat offered on your Equinox, have a unique depth and shimmer due to multiple layers of paint, including a tinted clear coat or a mid-coat with pearl flakes. This makes them more challenging to match precisely during a repair.

• Layering is key: When touching up pearl or tri-coat colors, apply very thin and even layers. The final appearance depends heavily on the thickness and uniformity of each coat.
• Blend carefully: For larger repairs, blending the color into the surrounding original paint is crucial to avoid a noticeable demarcation line. This often requires professional expertise.
• Expect slight variation: Even with the most careful application, a minor difference in shade might be visible under certain lighting conditions due to the complex nature of these paints. For critical repairs or larger areas, a professional body shop will have the tools and experience to achieve the best possible match.

Find a trusted body shop on Repairius.