2016 Chevrolet Suburban Paint Color Codes & Touch-Up Guide

Keeping your 2016 Chevrolet Suburban looking its best means taking care of rock chips, scratches, and minor blemishes as soon as they happen. Whether you are dealing with a minor scrape from a parking lot or chips from highway driving, knowing your exact factory paint code is the essential first step to a perfect repair.

Below is your complete guide to 2016 Chevrolet Suburban paint color codes, finding your code, and successfully applying touch-up paint.

Quick reference

Here are the factory colors offered for the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. General Motors typically uses a primary code (often a combination of letters and numbers like GBA) and a WA code (like WA8555) to identify a paint.

Note: If you are uncertain about your specific color, confirm via your VIN at a local Chevrolet dealer or with your touch-up paint supplier before ordering.

Where to find your paint code

For the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban, GM places the Service Parts Identification (SPID) sticker in a specific location. Unlike some manufacturers that place it exclusively on the driver's door jamb, for this generation of GM full-size SUVs, you will usually find the SPID label in the glove box.

1. Open the passenger side glove box.
2. Look for a silver or white sticker with a QR code and a list of three-character alphanumeric codes (your vehicle's RPO codes).
3. At the bottom of this sticker, look for the phrase "BC/CC" (Basecoat/Clearcoat) followed by a "U" (Upper color) and a WA number. For example, "BC/CC U 8555" means your car is painted with WA8555 (Black).
4. Occasionally, on some late 2016 models, GM transitioned to placing a simplified tire/certification label on the driver’s side B-pillar (door jamb) which also lists the QR code and the paint code near the bottom edge.

Best touch-up paint sources

Once you have your code, you need high-quality paint. Here are the most reliable sources:

• Dealer: Your local Chevrolet dealership’s parts department is a great source for exact-match OEM touch-up pens and small brush bottles.
• AutomotiveTouchup: Highly recommended for larger repairs, they provide custom-mixed aerosol sprays, half-ounce bottles, and pints based strictly on your WA paint code.
• Dupli-Color: A convenient, easily accessible brand found at most auto parts stores. They offer "Perfect Match" lines that include common GM colors like Summit White and Black.
• Tcoat Custom-Mix: Great for specialized, custom-mixed batches, particularly if you need an all-in-one paint and clear coat solution for tiny chips.

How to use touch-up paint

For a durable, professional-looking repair, follow these steps:

1. Clean: Wash the area with soap and water, then use a wax and grease remover (or rubbing alcohol) on the chip or scratch. There should be no dirt, rust, or wax left in the cavity.
2. Primer: If the scratch goes down to bare metal or plastic, apply a light coat of automotive primer. Let it dry completely.
3. Base: Apply the base color in very thin, light coats. If using a brush or pen, dab the paint into the chip rather than brushing it on. Allow 15–20 minutes of drying time between each coat until the color covers the primer completely.
4. Clear: Once the final color coat is dry (usually after 30-60 minutes), apply the clear coat. The clear coat protects the paint and provides the glossy finish that matches the rest of your Suburban.

Color matching tips for pearls and tri-coats

If your Suburban is painted in Iridescent Pearl Tricoat or Siren Red Tintcoat, achieving a perfect match requires extra care. Tri-coats consist of three layers: a solid base coat, a translucent pearl/tint mid-coat, and a clear coat.

• Practice first: Always practice on a glossy piece of test card before applying paint to your vehicle.
• Control the mid-coat: The final color changes depending on how many layers of the pearl mid-coat you apply. Apply one layer, let it dry, and compare it to your car. Repeat until the depth and sparkle match.
• Blend carefully: Tri-coats are notoriously difficult to match seamlessly on large panels. For anything larger than a quarter-sized scratch, professional blending is highly recommended to avoid a "patchy" look.

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