Nissan Safari 2106: color decoding, paint selection and secrets of perfect painting

Nissan Safari Y60 (2106) is a legendary SUV that is still popular among off-road enthusiasts and collectors. One of the key points when restoring or repairing this car is choosing the right paint color. An error in tone can ruin the appearance of the car, reduce its value, or even lead to corrosion due to incompatible materials.

In this article we will look at original color codes for Safari 2106, we’ll tell you how to decipher them by VIN code, where to find high-quality paint analogues and what nuances to take into account when painting. You will also find a table with the most common colors, tips for preparing the body, and answers to frequently asked questions from owners.

Original color codes for Nissan Safari 2106: where to look and how to read

Every body color Nissan Safari Y60 has a unique code, which the manufacturer indicates on a special plate. On the model 2106 (years of manufacture 1996–1999), this information is usually located in three places:

• 🔹 Sign on the driver's door pillar - the most reliable source. Look for the inscription COLOR or PAINT with a three-digit code (for example, KH3).
• 🔹 Under the hood — on some copies the code is duplicated on the nameplate next to the VIN.
• 🔹 In the service book — if the car has not been repainted, the original color is indicated in the documentation.

Color codes Nissan consist of letters and numbers. The first letter stands for type of paint (For example, K - metallic, Q - mother of pearl), and the following symbols indicate a specific shade. For example:

• KH3 — Dark green metallic (one of the most common for Safari 2106).
• AH2 — White (classic option for commercial versions).
• EH1 — Metallic gray (popular in Japan).

⚠️ Attention: If the code is indicated on the plate XX0 or similar - this is a sign that the car was repainted with non-original paint. In this case, you will need a spectrophotometer to select the color.

Table of original Safari 2106 colors with codes and names

Below are the most common colors for Nissan Safari Y60 (2106), which were encountered on the assembly line. Please note that shades may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture and paint lot.

Color code	Title (Russian/English)	Paint type	Notes
KH3	Dark green metallic / Dark Green Metallic	Metallic	The most popular color for Safari 2106 in Europe and Japan. Often counterfeited with non-original paints.
AH2	White / White	Acrylic	Used for commercial and special versions. Prone to yellowing over time.
EH1	Metallic gray / Gray Metallic	Metallic	Found on cars for the domestic Japanese market (JDM).
GH2	Black / Black	Acrylic/metallic	Rare for 2106, more common on later models Y61.
BH1	Metallic blue / Blue Metallic	Metallic	Limited edition for the Middle East market.

Important: Color KH3 (dark green metallic) has three official shades depending on the year of manufacture. To accurately select paint, check the code on the label - sometimes it is supplemented with a suffix (for example, KH3-A).

How to choose paint for Safari 2106: by VIN, by sample or with a spectrophotometer

If the original color code plate is lost or the information on it is unreadable, there are three reliable ways to select paint:

1. By VIN code - some online services (for example, Nissan Paint Codes or Autocolorlibrary) allow you to determine the color by body number. However for Safari 2106 this method does not always work due to the limited database.
2. According to the sample — if there is an unpainted area on the body (for example, under the hood or on the threshold), it can be taken to a car paint store for tinting. It is better to take a sample from a metal part - the plastic may have a different shade.
3. Spectrophotometer - the most accurate method. The device reads the color from the body and selects the paint formula. The service costs from 1,500 rubles, but guarantees a 100% match.

When choosing paint, pay attention to base type:

• 🔘 Acrylic - Cheap, but less durable. Suitable for temporary repairs.
• 🔘 Metallic - the original option for most Safari 2106. Requires varnish.
• 🔘 Mother of pearl - rare on this model, but if your code starts with Q, you will need special paint.

⚠️ Attention: If you are painting a single part (such as a fender), order 10-15% more paint than needed. The shade may differ due to fading of the old coating, and adjustments will be required.

Features of painting Nissan Safari 2106: primer, varnish and corrosion protection

Body Safari 2106 has a thick layer of factory coating, but over time it loses its protective properties. When painting, it is important to consider several nuances:

1. Removing old paint and rust. Use a sandblaster or chemical removers (for example, Body 700). For Safari It is critical to remove rust down to the “living” metal - otherwise corrosion will continue to spread under the new layer.

2. Primer. Suitable for metal parts epoxy primer (For example, PPG DP40/DP40LF), and for plastic ones - a special adhesive primer (for example, 3M Plastic & Paint Prep). Apply in 2 layers with intermediate drying for 15–20 minutes.

3. Painting. For metallic (codes KH3, EH1) be sure to use base coat + varnish. Technology:

1. Нанести базу (2–3 слоя с интервалом 5–10 минут).
2. Дать просохнуть 30 минут.
3. Покрыть лаком (2 слоя с сушкой 20 минут между ними).

4. Protection. After painting it is recommended to apply ceramic coating (For example, Ceramic Pro 9H) or anti-gravel film on vulnerable areas (sills, arches). This will extend the life of the new paintwork by 3–5 years.

Where to buy original paint for Nissan Safari 2106: trusted suppliers

Original paint Nissan is expensive (from 5,000 rubles per 1 liter), but guarantees a perfect color match. An alternative is high-quality analogues from trusted brands. Here's where you can order the paint:

• 🛒 Official dealers Nissan — they sell paint according to the code, but the prices are inflated. Suitable if you need 100% originality.
• 🛒 Autocolorlibrary.com - international catalog with formulas for Safari 2106. You can order tinting according to your code.
• 🛒 Local auto paint stores (For example, Mobihel, Sikkens, PPG) - offer analogues based on a sample or code. Cost: 2,500–4,000 rubles per liter.
• 🛒 Avito/Yula — sometimes they sell leftover paint from restorations. Risky, but cheap (from 1,000 rubles).

When choosing an analogue, pay attention to compliance with standard:

• 🔹 Sikkens - codes start with Autowave (For example, Autowave KH3).
• 🔹 PPG - uses notation Deltacron (For example, Deltacron KH3).
• 🔹 Mobihel - look for the section in the catalog Nissan Classic.

⚠️ Attention: If you buy paint online, check with the seller to see if it is suitable for two-component system (base + varnish). Some cheap analogues are sold as “mono cans” and do not require varnishing, but do not hold up as well.

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For color KH3 (dark green metallic) it is better to use water-based paint - it fades less in the sun and retains its shine longer.

Common mistakes when painting Safari 2106 and how to avoid them

Even experienced painters make mistakes when working with Nissan Safari 2106. Here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

1. Shade mismatch. Reason: the paint was tinted according to a sample from a burnt-out part. Solution: Take a sample from the inside of the door or hood, where the color is less exposed to UV radiation.
2. Bubbles and shagreen. Reason: high humidity or improper drying. Solution: Paint at a temperature of 20–25°C and humidity not higher than 60%. Use a dehumidifier.
3. Paint peeling. Reason: poor surface preparation or incompatibility of primer and paint. Solution: Use primer and paint from the same manufacturer (for example, Sikkens + Sikkens).
4. Matte spots after varnishing. Cause: silicone or wax on the surface. Solution: Degrease the body before painting antisilicon (For example, Prepsol).

Another common mistake is saving on materials. For example, some owners apply only one coat of varnish, which leads to rapid abrasion of the paint. For Safari 2106 optimal:

• 🔹 2-3 layers of base (for metallic).
• 🔹 2 layers of varnish with intermediate drying.
• 🔹 Polishing 2-3 days after painting.

What to do if streaks appear after painting?

Streaks (or "banding") are caused by uneven spraying of paint. To fix:

1. Let the paint dry completely (3-5 days).

2. Polish the surface with an abrasive paste (for example, 3M Perfect-it).

3. If the stripes are deep, repaint the part from scratch.

Safari 2106 body restoration: when a complete repaint is needed

Local repairs are not always enough. Complete repainting of the body Nissan Safari 2106 required in the following cases:

• 🔧 Severe corrosion (more than 30% of the body surface). Rust under the paint leads to through holes, especially in arches and sills.
• 🔧 Multilayer painting. If the car has been repainted 3+ times, the new coating will peel off due to the thick layer of old paint.
• 🔧 Color change. For example, from white (AH2) to dark green (KH3) - in this case, complete removal of the old paintwork is required.
• 🔧 Paint fading. If the original color has become dull and dull, it is easier to repaint the entire car rather than restore individual areas.

Cost of full painting Safari 2106 in the service:

Type of work	Cost (RUB)	Deadlines
Sandblasting	15 000–25 000	1–2 days
Primer (2 layers)	10 000–15 000	1 day
Painting (base + varnish)	30 000–50 000	3–5 days
Polishing	8 000–12 000	1 day

If your budget is limited, you can save on partial painting. For example, paint only the top part of the body (hood, roof, trunk) and leave the bottom as original. However, this approach is only suitable for masking minor defects.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about colors and painting of Nissan Safari 2106

Can Safari 2106 be spray painted?

Technically yes, but the result will be worse than with professional painting. The cans are suitable for local repairs (scratches, chips), but not for complete painting. Main problems:

• 🔹 Uneven spraying (transitions will be visible).
• 🔹 It is difficult to choose a shade (simplified formulas are often used in spray cans).
• 🔹 There is no way to apply varnish (this is critical for metallics).

If you still decide to paint with a spray can, choose products Mobihel or Motip — they offer paints tinted to match the codes Nissan.

What is the rarest color of Safari 2106?

The rarest flowers for Nissan Safari 2106 are considered:

• 🔹 BH1 — Metallic blue (released only for the Middle East).
• 🔹 CH1 — Metallic red (limited edition for Japan).
• 🔹 GH2 — Black (occurs less frequently than KH3 or AH2).

If your Safari one of these colors, keep the original paint - it is prized among collectors.

What is the difference between KH3 color for Safari 2106 and Y61?

Color KH3 (dark green metallic) was used on both models, but there are nuances:

• 🔹 For Safari 2106 (Y60) shade more cold (with a bluish tint).
• 🔹 For Safari Y61 (2000+ years) the color is warmer, with a slight olive shade.
• 🔹 The paint formula is also different - in Y61 additional pigment added for UV protection.

If you repaint 2106 in KH3, check with the seller that you need a shade for Y60, not for Y61.

Is it possible to mix paints from different manufacturers?

Technically possible, but not recommended. Different brands use different binders and pigments, which can result in:

• 🔹 Delamination (paint peels off after 1-2 years).
• 🔹 Changing shade (For example, Sikkens + PPG can give green with a purple undertone).
• 🔹 Problems with drying (one paint dries faster than the other, shagreen appears).

If you have to mix, use compatible systems (for example, database Sikkens + varnish PPG Deltaclear). Check compatibility on a test piece before application.

How to care for Safari 2106 paint after painting?

To make your new coating last longer, follow these rules:

1. The first 2 weeks after painting don't wash your car (even with a contactless wash) - the varnish is completely polymerized only after 14 days.
2. Use PH-neutral shampoo (For example, Koch Chemie GREEN STAR).
3. Apply wax or ceramics no earlier than a month after painting.
4. Treat the body in winter anti-gravel protection (For example, Turtle Wax Ice).

For metallic (KH3, EH1) It is especially important to avoid automatic car washes with brushes - they scratch the varnish and dull the shine.