Factory paint code chart by model year
S550 codes stay two letters but Ford renamed several staples — Absolute Black became Shadow Black in the catalog while often keeping UA on the label early on. Tri-coat colors (Triple Yellow, Twister Orange, Cyber Orange) need their own process; a hex swatch alone is not enough for a blend.
2015 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#ecebe9
|
Launch color for the completely redesigned S550 generation |
| 2 | Absolute Black | UA |
#010000
|
Also referred to simply as Shadow Black |
| 3 | Race Red | PQ |
#fc2534
|
— |
| 4 | Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | RR |
#a60014
|
— |
| 5 | Competition Orange | CY |
#b12d0f
|
Return of the popular New Edge/S197 hue |
| 6 | Triple Yellow Tri-Coat | H3 |
#fcfc0e
|
— |
| 7 | Deep Impact Blue Metallic | J4 |
#202754
|
— |
| 8 | Guard Metallic | HN |
#3d453d
|
Dark, earthy green-gray metallic |
| 9 | Magnetic Metallic | J7 |
#646352
|
— |
| 10 | Ingot Silver Metallic | UX |
#d8d6d1
|
— |
2016 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#f2f1ef
|
Primary launch color option for Shelby GT350 |
| 2 | Shadow Black | G1 |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Race Red | PQ |
#fa2332
|
— |
| 4 | Deep Impact Blue Metallic | J4 |
#1e2451
|
— |
| 5 | Lightning Blue Metallic | N6 |
#073271
|
Late mid-year replacement for Deep Impact Blue |
2017 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#eeedeb
|
— |
| 2 | Shadow Black | G1 |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Grabber Blue | CI |
#469fef
|
Highly requested return to the modern lineup |
| 4 | Lightning Blue Metallic | N6 |
#073271
|
— |
| 5 | Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | RR |
#a30012
|
— |
| 6 | White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat | UG |
#dce3d5
|
Premium luxury paint option |
2018 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#ebeae8
|
First year of the S550 mid-cycle exterior refresh |
| 2 | Shadow Black | G1 |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Kona Blue Metallic | L6 |
#1f2653
|
Brought back into standard regular production |
| 4 | Orange Fury Metallic Tri-Coat | NL |
#fb9200
|
Signature launch color for the 2018 refresh |
| 5 | Royal Crimson Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | R3 |
#450909
|
Rare, highly sought-after one-year deep maroon |
| 6 | Lead Foot Gray | JX |
#768291
|
Non-metallic flat tactical gray |
2019 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#edecea
|
— |
| 2 | Shadow Black | G1 |
#000000
|
Bullitt edition alternate option |
| 3 | Dark Highland Green | B5 |
#004652
|
Exclusive signature color for the 50th Anniversary Bullitt |
| 4 | Velocity Blue Metallic | E7 |
#008bc0
|
Replaces Lightning Blue |
| 5 | Need for Green | AJ |
#018726
|
High-impact, eye-catching bright green option |
2020 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#f1f0ee
|
— |
| 2 | Shadow Black | G1 |
#000000
|
Base layout option for the returning Shelby GT500 |
| 3 | Twister Orange Metallic Tri-Coat | CA |
#de5d00
|
Signature tracking launch color for the 760hp GT500 |
| 4 | Grabber Lime | F9 |
#81e219
|
Vibrant throwback heritage hue |
| 5 | Iconic Silver Metallic | JS |
#b4babb
|
Replaces Ingot Silver |
| 6 | Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | D4 |
#8f000f
|
Replaces Ruby Red |
2021 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#f1f0ee
|
— |
| 2 | Shadow Black | G1 |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Fighter Jet Gray | NE |
#8e9790
|
Signature color exclusive to the Mach 1 Appearance Package |
| 4 | Antimatter Blue Metallic | HX |
#123559
|
Extremely dark ink-blue finish |
| 5 | Grabber Yellow | C3 |
#EAD339
|
— |
| 6 | Carbonized Gray Metallic | M7 |
#697266
|
Replaces Magnetic Metallic |
2022 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#f1f0ee
|
— |
| 2 | Shadow Black | G1 |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Code Orange | CN |
#d23e21
|
Exclusive track choice for the final Shelby GT500 run |
| 4 | Brittany Blue Metallic | EB |
#84b6e8
|
Exclusive color for the Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition |
| 5 | Eruption Green Metallic | FA |
#246542
|
Deep metallic forest green |
| 6 | Mischievous Purple Metallic | AE |
#4a92e9
|
Deep moody purple color shifting tone |
| 7 | Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat | SB |
#f3a932
|
— |
2023 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YZ |
#f1f0ee
|
Final production year for the S550 platform |
| 2 | Shadow Black | G1 |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Race Red | PQ |
#f61f2e
|
— |
| 4 | Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | D4 |
#8f000f
|
— |
| 5 | Vapor Blue Metallic | K1 |
#4A607A
|
Early introduction code previewing the next generation |
| 6 | Atlas Blue Metallic | B3 |
#003768
|
— |
Where to find Generation 6 Mustang paint codes
Exterior color on a 2015–2023 S550 fastback and convertible is documented separately from interior trim codes. Check these locations before ordering paint:
- Driver door jamb certification label — two-letter exterior paint code (YZ = Oxford White, PQ = Race Red, RR = Ruby Red tinted clearcoat, etc.).
- Trunk floor and rear diffuser undersides — useful overspray reference when the exterior was repainted but the jamb was masked.
- Aluminum hood inner structure — S550 GT and Shelby models use aluminum hoods; overspray here confirms original code on low-mile cars.
- Marti Report or window sticker — special editions (Mach 1, Heritage Edition) may need build documentation beyond base GT charts.
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?
The S550 launch brought Guard Metallic, Competition Orange, and Triple Yellow Tri-Coat, then rotated hero colors almost every model year — Lightning Blue, Velocity Blue, Grabber Lime, and Dark Highland Green on Bullitt tribute cars. Our 2015–2023 table ends before the 2024 S650 redesign and its new Shadow Black G1 code.
Factory paint specifications
Original S550 (2015–2023) finishes differ from modern base/clear systems. Use this outline when briefing a body shop or judging an original car.
| Factory system | Basecoat/clearcoat with tinted clears on Ruby Red, Royal Crimson, and Rapid Red families. |
|---|---|
| Primary refinish brands | Ford OEM, PPG, Axalta — S550 formulas updated per model year in dealer systems. |
| Finish type | Solids, metallics, and tri-coat pearls; orange and yellow tri-coats require controlled application angle. |
| Typical mixing (shop) | BC/CC with manufacturer activator; tri-coats use mid-coat pearl layer — plan booth time accordingly. |
| Colorants / dyes | Magnetic Metallic and Iconic Silver are fleet favorites — high production volume means more refinish formula support. |
| Factory film build | About 5–10 mils BC/CC; aluminum hoods can read slightly different on cheap gauges — calibrate on steel door first. |
| Modern equivalent | PPG and Axalta carry S550 books; 2018+ colors may not exist in 2015 mix systems — specify model year to your jobber. |
Recommended total paint thickness
| S550 factory BC/CC | About 5–10 mils — hood centerline on aluminum, door skin on steel |
|---|---|
| Tri-coat pearl panels | Often 8–12 mils where mid-coat stacks — avoid aggressive block sanding on fresh orange and yellow |
| PPF and respray planning | Remove film before color match; adhesive residue skews spectro readings on Magnetic and Iconic Silver |
| Measurement method | Calibrated DFT on flat panels — carbon splitters and gloss black aero are painted separately |
Surface prep tips for Generation 6 resprays
Ground aluminum hoods before epoxy primer
S550 aluminum hoods need conversion coating or approved etch primer. Spraying direct over bare aluminum leads to filiform corrosion under the clear within months.
Mask active aero and MagneRide harnesses during bay respray
GT350 and GT500 engine bays are tight. Document connector locations before masking — overspray on harness boots causes chase electrical gremlins after bodywork.
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.
| 2015 optional tri-coat paint | About $395–$595 above base coupe MSRP for Triple Yellow and similar. |
|---|---|
| 2020 Shelby GT500 premium colors | Tri-coat and hero colors bundled with package pricing — door tag still lists base exterior code. |
| 2022 dealer refinish estimate | About $1,800–$2,800 full BC/CC (2022 collision labor rates). |
| Daily-driver S550 respray (2025) | $8,000–$13,000 — includes bumper, splitter, and wing R&R on GT and Shelby cars. |
| Show Shelby / Mach 1 build (2025) | $20,000–$35,000 — correct jamb, trunk, and bay color with aero reinstalled to factory gaps. |
| Tri-coat panel repair (2025) | $1,200–$4,000+ per panel — Twister Orange and Cyber Orange are specialist blends, not touch-up pens. |
Verified external resources
Frequently asked questions
Where is the paint code on a 2015–2023 Mustang?
Driver door jamb certification label. The exterior paint field is two letters — not the interior trim code printed nearby.
Is Shadow Black the same code as Absolute Black?
Early S550 cars list Absolute Black as UA in our tables; later years use Shadow Black in marketing while often keeping UA on the label. Match model year and door tag, not brochure name alone.
What code is Grabber Lime?
Grabber Lime appears in our 2020 model-year table with its Ford code — verify on your door tag; it is not the same formula as 1970 Grabber Green or S197 Grabber Blue.
Do Shelby GT350 and GT500 share GT paint codes?
Most exterior codes match base Mustang charts for the same year — stripes and aero are separate. Always read the door tag for the base color before ordering tri-coat mixes.
Can I repair Rapid Red with standard clear?
No — Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat uses a tinted clear system. Untinted clear over base red will not match factory hood and roof on 2019+ cars.
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)