Decipher door plate to treat rust.

[fladavid]

Hi.

I have a three part question. 

I need to treat the known problem of the front wheel arches starting to show signs of rust before winter. My car is a very dark metallic blue and I wondered if it would be better to do as I did years ago on my old mark 4 Cortina and just use Hammerite along the sill and up a little onto the arch or to do the job with the proper paints. I'm guessing that not only will Hammerite be easier but that it may last longer, although it won't look great obviously. My car is so deep a blue that I might get away with black. 

If you guys advise me to use the proper paint I will then need to decipher my door plate. I looked on one site and if I'm correct I have I2 which means Ink Blue released in 2002. Assuming it's an I and not L. Is that correct? If it is correct am I more likely to get a good match by going to Ford to buy the paint rather than Halfords? 

Lastly have you any tips for doing the job well and also my curiosity is peeked to know exactly what each box on the door plate means. 

Thanks. 

David. 

[Stoney871]

Put your vin or vrn in here and it will confirm your colour-

http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do;jsessionid=94114CE6FF6FFD540EBF017D4703D0AA.fcvas504

Halfords colour matching is pretty accurate but Ford paints will obviously always be spot on.

Allowances for paint fade need to be considered though so a bit of wet sanding and blending would likely be necessary.

Sent from my SM-G930F

[fladavid]

Thanks Stoney.

Amazing how much information that site throws up. 

[Stoney871]

Oh aye, things ya never knew about your own car

[fladavid]

So you obviously wouldn't go down the Hammerite route then Stoney?

Car is in nice condition but not perfect. Just imagine Hammerite might last longer, and inhibit the rust, and would certainly be easier to apply.