Factory paint code chart by model year
S197 codes are two letters on the certification label. Codes often carry from year to year — Performance White WT appears across the whole run — but marketing names and tinted clears changed after the 2010 refresh. Match code plus model year, not nickname alone.
2005 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
Launch color for the retro-styled S197 generation |
| 2 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#040303
|
— |
| 3 | Torch Red | D3 |
#a81916
|
— |
| 4 | Screaming Yellow | D6 |
#f6d53e
|
— |
| 5 | Sonic Blue Metallic | SN |
#002a97
|
— |
| 6 | Windveil Blue Metallic | BT |
#A1B5C4
|
— |
| 7 | Mineral Gray Metallic | TK |
#5b4b41
|
— |
| 8 | Satin Silver Metallic | TL |
#afb1b4
|
— |
| 9 | Legend Lime Metallic | P1 |
#979963
|
Iconic vintage throwback color |
2006 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
— |
| 2 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#040303
|
— |
| 3 | Torch Red | D3 |
#9f100e
|
— |
| 4 | Vista Blue Metallic | G3 |
#1C3B75
|
Replaces Sonic Blue |
| 5 | Tungsten Gray Metallic | T8 |
#727584
|
Introduced to celebrate the Ford GT |
| 6 | Satin Silver Metallic | TL |
#b1b3b6
|
— |
2007 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
Available with contrasting Shelby GT500 stripes |
| 2 | G2 Black Clearcoat | UA |
#050404
|
Primary launch color for rebirth of Shelby GT500 |
| 3 | Torch Red | D3 |
#a91a17
|
— |
| 4 | Grabber Orange | U6 |
#EAA123
|
Vintage color revival |
| 5 | Alloy Metallic | G5 |
#3f4145
|
Very dark metallic grey |
| 6 | Vista Blue Metallic | G3 |
#1C3B75
|
— |
2008 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
— |
| 2 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#050404
|
Bullitt edition standard option |
| 3 | Dark Highland Green | PX |
#003522
|
Exclusive signature color for the S197 Bullitt |
| 4 | Torch Red | D3 |
#a81916
|
— |
| 5 | Vapor Silver Metallic | JV |
#6c0f1c
|
Replaces Tungsten Gray |
2009 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
45th Anniversary edition availability |
| 2 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#040303
|
— |
| 3 | Torch Red | D3 |
#a1120f
|
— |
| 4 | Brilliant Silver Metallic | UI |
#a0a0a0
|
— |
| 5 | Sunset Gold Metallic | F1 |
#C9A763
|
Rare single-year late run option |
2010 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
First year of the S197 interior/exterior facelift |
| 2 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#030202
|
— |
| 3 | Torch Red | D3 |
#a31411
|
— |
| 4 | Red Candy Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | U6 |
#7b031a
|
— |
| 5 | Grabber Blue | CI |
#4099e9
|
Modern revival of the classic hue |
| 6 | Kona Blue Metallic | L6 |
#1c224f
|
— |
| 7 | Sterling Gray Metallic | UJ |
#48484a
|
— |
2011 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
First year of the Coyote 5.0L modular engine |
| 2 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#030202
|
— |
| 3 | Race Red | PQ |
#f61f2e
|
Replaces Torch Red on standard lines |
| 4 | Ingot Silver Metallic | UX |
#d7d5d0
|
— |
| 5 | Yellow Blaze Metallic Tri-Coat | NQ |
#f4c73e
|
— |
2012 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
Boss 302 graphic package support base |
| 2 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#040303
|
Crucial option for Boss 302 Laguna Seca editions |
| 3 | Race Red | PQ |
#f51e2d
|
— |
| 4 | Competition Orange | CY |
#b02c10
|
Signature launch color for the revived Boss 302 |
| 5 | Kona Blue Metallic | L6 |
#19204d
|
Boss 302 track pack option |
| 6 | Lava Red Metallic | UZ |
#3f1616
|
Extremely rare dark black/cherry metallic sheen |
2013 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performance White | WT |
#F4F6F7
|
— |
| 2 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Race Red | PQ |
#fa2332
|
— |
| 4 | Deep Impact Blue Metallic | J4 |
#1f2653
|
Replaces Kona Blue |
| 5 | Gotta Have It Green | HD |
#8ede6f
|
High visibility tri-coat exclusive choice |
| 6 | School Bus Yellow | P6 |
#F1B719
|
Exclusive signature color for year-two Boss 302 runs |
2014 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#eeedeb
|
Replaces Performance White |
| 2 | Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | RR |
#a60014
|
Replaces Red Candy |
| 3 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#020101
|
— |
| 4 | Race Red | PQ |
#f7202f
|
— |
| 5 | Deep Impact Blue Metallic | J4 |
#1b214e
|
— |
| 6 | Oxford White | YZ |
#eeedeb
|
— |
Where to find Generation 5 Mustang paint codes
Exterior color on a 2005–2014 S197 coupe and convertible (2010–2014 also includes glass-roof option) is documented separately from interior trim codes. Check these locations before ordering paint:
- Driver door jamb certification label — two-letter exterior paint code (WT = Performance White, UA = Black Clearcoat on early cars, D3 = Torch Red, etc.).
- Trunk lid gutter and fuel door interior — overspray when jambs were repainted a different shade than factory.
- Hood underside and fender apron lips — S197 unibody cars often retain factory color on apron edges when the hood was resprayed.
- Shelby, Roush, or dealer build sheet — special-order stripes and packages do not change the base paint code on the door tag.
Official Ford guidance for modern vehicles also applies to decoding labels: see Ford's paint code help page for label reading tips.
How many colors were available?
Ford launched the S197 with retro throwbacks like Legend Lime and Screaming Yellow, then tightened palettes around the recession before expanding again with Grabber Blue, Kona Blue, and tri-coat specials on late-model Boss and GT500 cars. Our 2005–2014 table spans the full S197 run on one platform — not the 2015 S550 redesign.
Factory paint specifications
Original S197 (2005–2014) finishes differ from modern base/clear systems. Use this outline when briefing a body shop or judging an original car.
| Factory system | Basecoat/clearcoat throughout S197 production — tinted clears on Red Candy and similar late colors. |
|---|---|
| Primary refinish brands | Ford OEM refinish, PPG Envirobase, Axalta — all publish S197 code books by model year. |
| Finish type | Solids, metallics, and tri-coat pearls (Yellow Blaze, Red Candy); aluminums in Kona Blue and Windveil Blue. |
| Typical mixing (shop) | Base + activator + reducer; clear with separate hardener. S197 hoods are large flat panels — watch for dirt nibs and solvent pop. |
| Colorants / dyes | Grabber Orange and Competition Orange use different codes — do not assume New Edge or S550 orange formulas match. |
| Factory film build | Typical 5–9 mils BC/CC total; horizontal panels carry slightly thicker clear from the line. |
| Modern equivalent | PPG and Axalta list S197 formulas; 2010+ facelift cars share many codes with 2005–2009 but verify year in the table. |
Recommended total paint thickness
| S197 factory BC/CC | About 5–9 mils total — measure center hood, not scoop openings |
|---|---|
| 2010+ Shelby / Boss panels | Tri-coat pearls run thicker; blend zones need feathered primer, not hard tape lines |
| Restoration target | Match door jamb factory color before blending quarters — S197 jambs are often original when exterior was resprayed |
| Measurement method | DFT gauge on flat door skin — skip composite scoops and unpainted splitters |
Surface prep tips for Generation 5 resprays
Remove GT hood scoops and Shaker inserts before the booth
Tape lines around functional scoops show on concours cars. Bag hardware and document scoop alignment shims — S197 scoops vary by model year.
Use flex additive on urethane bumpers and splitters
2005–2014 bumpers and many ground-effect pieces are molded plastic. Standard 2K clear without flex agents cracks within a season on chin splitters.
What did a factory paint job cost then vs today?
Dealer and factory pricing is inflation-adjusted below for planning — not a quote from any specific shop.
| 2005 optional metallic paint | About $250–$500 above base V6 coupe MSRP depending on district. |
|---|---|
| 2012 Boss 302 School Bus Yellow | Tri-coat package color — verify door code against marketing name before ordering mix. |
| 2014 dealer collision refinish | About $1,400–$2,200 full BC/CC respray (2014 labor rates). |
| Daily-driver S197 respray (2025) | $7,000–$11,500 — includes bumper, scoop, and spoiler R&R common on GT models. |
| Show GT500 / Boss build (2025) | $18,000–$30,000 — correct jamb, trunk, and engine-bay semi-gloss. |
| Kona Blue or Grabber touch-up blend (2025) | $800–$2,500 per panel — metallics need orientation control, not rattle-can repair |
Verified external resources
Frequently asked questions
Where is the paint code on a 2005–2014 Mustang?
Driver door jamb on the certification label. Look for the two-letter exterior paint code field — separate from interior trim codes.
What code is Kona Blue on an S197?
Kona Blue Metallic appears in our 2010 and 2011 model-year tables with its Ford two-letter code — always verify against your door tag; do not assume S550 Kona uses the same mix.
Did the 2010 refresh change paint codes?
Many codes carried over, but new colors joined the palette and some marketing names changed. Use the model year table — not pre- or post-refresh nickname alone.
Is Dark Highland Green the same as Bullitt green?
2008–2009 Dark Highland Green in our table is the S197 Bullitt-era green — different code and formula from 1968 first-gen Highland Green or 2001 SN95 Bullitt.
What clear for Red Candy Metallic Tinted Clearcoat?
Use the tinted clear system specified for that code — standard untinted clear over base red will mismatch factory panels on hood and roof.
Other Mustang generations
Each generation uses different code formats and paint chemistry. Jump to the correct chart to avoid mixing Fox-body codes with muscle-car letters or Mustang II two-digit labels.
Generation 1
1964–1973 · Classic muscle car (1964½–1973)
Generation 2
1974–1978 · Mustang II (1974–1978)
Generation 3
1979–1993 · Fox-body (1979–1993)
Generation 4
1994–2004 · SN95 / New Edge (1994–2004)
Generation 5
2005–2014 · S197 (2005–2014)
Generation 6
2015–2023 · S550 (2015–2023)
Generation 7
2024–2026 · S650 (2024–2026)