Minibus Nissan QM1 - a legend of the Japanese automobile industry, combining practicality, reliability and unique design. One of the key elements of its appearance is the color of the body, which not only determines the visual perception, but also affects the resale value, paint care and even the psychological perception of the car. In this article we will take a closer look at the official palette flowers Nissan QM1, we will reveal the secrets of their codes, tell you about rare shades and give practical advice on choosing a color for restoration or tuning.

Feature QM1 - its versatility: this car is equally in demand both as family transport and for commercial use. Therefore, the choice of color often depends on the purpose of use. For example, dark shades emphasize the solidity of the business version, and bright colors will make the minibus memorable for personal use. But how not to make a mistake with your choice? Which shades were available on the assembly line, and which ones appeared later as custom options? The answers are in our guide.

Official color palette Nissan QM1: complete list with codes

Factory palette Nissan QM1 included more than 10 basic shades, some of which were unique to the Japanese market. All colors have individual codes, which are used to select paint for repairs. Below is a table with the most common variants, including their original Japanese names and international equivalents.

Color code Title (Japan) Name (international) Coverage type Notes
KH3 ホワイト Pure White Matte Base color for commercial versions
AY0 スーパーブラック Super Black Gloss Most popular color for business use
B54 ダークグレーメタリック Dark Gray Metallic Metallic Rare shade for limited editions
E50 ブライトレッド Bright Red Gloss Bright color, often chosen for family versions
G23 ミッドナイトブルーメタリック Midnight Blue Metallic Metallic Premium shade for top trim levels

It is important to note that some colors, e.g. B54 (Dark Gray Metallic), were only available in certain production years or for special editions. When selecting paint for restoration always check the color code on the plate under the hood - even visually identical shades may have different pigment compositions.

If you are planning a complete repainting, pay attention to type of coating: matte colors (as KH3) require special varnishes, and metallics (for example, G23) - exact adherence to application technology to maintain the “depth” effect.

📊 Which color of Nissan QM1 do you like best?
  • Black (Super Black)
  • Pure White
  • Bright Red
  • Midnight Blue
  • Dark Gray

Rare and exclusive colors: what history hides QM1

In addition to the standard palette, Nissan QM1 had several exclusive shades, which are extremely rare. For example, color HY7 (Sunset Orange Metallic) was only produced in 1999–2000 for a limited edition QM1 "Limited Sport". Another unique option is LW1 (Pearl White), which featured a pearlescent effect and cost 15% more than standard white versions.

Fun fact: some dealers in Japan offered two-color combinations for QM1, for example, black bottom + silver top (AY0 + KAD). Such options were not officially recorded in catalogs, but are found on the secondary market. If you come across such an example, check the quality of the painting - it was often handmade by local studios.

  • 🔥 HY7 (Sunset Orange) - the rarest shade, found in less than 0.5% of all QM1.
  • ✨ LW1 (Pearl White) - pearlescent white, required special care.
  • 🖤 Two-tone options - usually combined AY0 (black) with KAD (silver) or E50 (red).
  • 💎 JY0 (Emerald Green) - dark green metallic, produced only for the Southeast Asian market.

Upon purchase QM1 with a rare color, be sure to check the history of the car: such options were often repainted due to the difficulty of selecting the original paint. The price of rare shades (for example, HY7) can be overestimated by 20–30% even with equal mileage.

How to determine the original color Nissan QM1 by VIN or plate

To find out exactly the factory color of your QM1, it is enough to find identification plate (usually it is located on the driver's door pillar or under the hood). It indicates Color Code - three-digit index (for example, AY0), which corresponds to the table above. If the sign is missing or the code has been erased, you can use VIN decoder for Japanese cars.

Verification algorithm:

  1. Find VIN (17 characters) on the windshield or in documents.
  2. Use specialized services like JDM Decoder or Nissan VIN Lookup.
  3. In the results, look for the line Exterior Color or Paint Code.

If none of the methods work, contact to the dealer Nissan asking for information on Frame Number (body number). In Japan, the entire history of a car is recorded, and even after 20 years the original information can be restored.

Find the Color Code plate on the door pillar|Check the code with the official Nissan palette|Use a VIN decoder for Japanese cars|Contact a dealer with Frame Number|Check the color in daylight (artificial lighting distorts shades)-->

Choosing a color for tuning: what you need to know before painting

If you are planning repaint Nissan QM1, consider a few key points:

  1. Compatible with plastic parts: bumpers and moldings QM1 often made from ABS plastic, which requires a special primer before painting. Without it, the paint may peel off after 1-2 years.
  2. Metallic effect: when restoring colors like G23 (Midnight Blue) it is important to use original pigments Nissan, otherwise the shade will differ from different angles.
  3. Matte finishes: if you want to repeat KH3 (Pure White), be prepared that matte paint requires regular polishing and special detergents.

Popular directions for tuning QM1:

  • 🎨 Two-color schemes - for example, black bottom + body color (as in style JDM).
  • 🌌 Chameleons - paints with color changing effects (for example, violet-green Chameleon Purple).
  • ⚫ Deep black with protective film — adds shine and protects against chipping.
  • 🟢 Olive or khaki - for style military or offroad versions.

Warning: If you choose non-original color, please note that this may make it difficult to sell the car in the future. In Japan and Asian countries, buyers often prefer factory shades, considering them more “correct”.

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Before painting, take photos of all plastic parts (handles, moldings, mirrors) - they will have to be painted separately, and the original photos will help you choose the perfect shade.

Paint care: how to preserve color QM1 for years

Color Nissan QM1 It may fade over time, especially if the car is used in aggressive conditions (sun, salt, sand). To maintain the original appearance, follow these recommendations:

  • 🧴 Washing: use pH-neutral shampoos (For example, Meguiar’s Gold Class). Avoid car washes with alkaline compounds - they destroy the protective layer of varnish.
  • 🛡️ Protection: apply ceramic coating or wax every 3-6 months. For metallics (B54, G23) will do Collinite 845.
  • 🔆 Polishing: matte colors (KH3) polish non-abrasive pastes (For example, Poorboys Black Hole).
  • 🚫 What to Avoid: Do not wash your car in direct sunlight and do not use hard brushes.

For dark colors (For example, AY0 Super Black) pose a particular danger water spots - they leave stains that are difficult to remove. To avoid this, always wipe your car dry after washing or rain.

⚠️ Attention: if on the body QM1 appeared microcracks (especially on plastic parts), this is a sign of aging varnish. In this case, ordinary polishing will not help - you will need restoration of the paint layer with complete removal of the old coating.

Color and cost: how shade affects the price Nissan QM1

Aftermarket color Nissan QM1 can either increase or decrease its value. For example:

  • 💰 Black (AY0) and silver (KAD) are the most marketable colors, as they are in demand in the commercial segment.
  • 📉 Bright shades (E50, HY7) - harder to sell, but can attract collectors.
  • 🟤 Green (JY0) and blue (G23) - rare, but not always in demand.
  • ⚪ White (KH3) - universal, but requires careful care (any dirt is visible).

According to Japanese auction data (e.g. USS Auction), the price difference between the most popular (AY0 Super Black) and rare (HY7 Sunset Orange) color can reach 15–20% with equal mileage and condition. At the same time Cars with original paint are always valued over repainted ones, even if the new color looks perfect..

If you buy QM1 For further resale, give preference to neutral colors. For personal use, you can choose something more exclusive - but be prepared for the fact that when selling you will have to look for the target buyer.

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Black and silver colors Nissan QM1 - the most liquid on the secondary market, but require more effort to care for the paintwork.

Where to buy original paint for Nissan QM1

Selection of paint for QM1 - not an easy task, especially when it comes to rare shades. Here are verified sources:

  • 🏢 Official dealers Nissan - can order paint by Color Code, but the price will be higher than the market price.
  • 🌍 Japanese online stores:
    • RarePartsJapan — specialize in rare flowers for JDM-auto.
    • Amayama — offer original paint cans Nissan.
  • 🎨 Local car wreckers — sometimes they sell leftover paint from restoration.
  • 🔧 Specialized workshops — they can mix paint using a spectrometer (more precisely, than choosing “by eye”).

When ordering paint, please specify:

  1. Accurate Color Code (For example, G23, not just "blue").
  2. Coating type (metallic, matte, mother of pearl).
  3. Volume (usually for full painting QM1 3–4 liters of paint + varnish are required).
⚠️ Attention: If you order paint from Japan, check compatibility with local solvents. Some Japanese paints require special thinners that are difficult to find in other countries.
What to do if the original paint is not available?

In this case, you can use the services of a colorist who will select the closest possible shade to the sample. To do this you will need:

1. Provide a fragment of the original paint (for example, on the inside of the door).

2. Indicate the year of manufacture and sales market (JDM, EU, ASEAN).

3. Determine whether the car has been repainted previously.

The cost of such a service starts from $100, but the result will be 90–95% close to the original.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about flowers Nissan QM1

Is it possible to paint Nissan QM1 in a color that was not in the official palette?

Yes, but there are nuances:

  • To legalize color changes in documents you will need paint shop certificate.
  • Non-original colors may reduce the resale value of the vehicle.
  • Bright or unusual shades (for example, neon green) may raise questions during inspection in some countries.

If you choose a non-original color, we recommend sticking to classic shades (for example, dark gray metallic or graphite), which are not striking, but at the same time update the appearance.

What color Nissan QM1 the most practical for daily use?

From a practicality point of view, the best options are:

  1. AY0 Super Black - hides dirt, but requires frequent washing due to visible scratches.
  2. KAD Silver Metallic - universal, less easily soiled than black.
  3. KH3 Pure White — all the dirt is visible, but easy to clean.

Worst choice for everyday use - E50 Bright Red And HY7 Sunset Orange: They fade quickly in the sun and require regular polishing.

How to check if it has been repainted Nissan QM1?

Inspect the following areas:

  • 🔍 Doorways and trunk — the original paint often remains here.
  • 🚪 Interior doors and hood - if the color is different, the car has been painted.
  • 🔦 Paintwork thickness - use thickness gauge (norm for QM1 - 100–130 µm).
  • 📸 Photo in ultraviolet — repainted areas will glow differently.

If traces of repainting are found, check with the seller for the reason (accident, corrosion, tuning). This will help avoid hidden problems.

Is it possible to restore the original color QM1, if he is very burnt out?

Yes, but the process depends on the degree of damage:

  • Mild burnout - will help deep polishing with abrasive pastes (for example, Menzerna 400).
  • Severe fading or microcracks - will be required local painting with transition to adjacent panels.
  • Complete destruction of varnish - only complete repainting with the removal of the old layer.

For metallics (G23, B54) restoration is more expensive due to the complexity of selecting pigments. In some cases, it is cheaper to find a donor with the original paint and repaint the parts piece by piece.

What colors Nissan QM1 do they look best after restoration?

If you are restoring QM1 For display at exhibitions or personal use, please note:

  • ⚫ AY0 Super Black with protective film - looks like new even after 5 years.
  • 🔵 G23 Midnight Blue Metallic — emphasizes the premium quality of the car.
  • ⚪ KH3 Pure White with matt varnish - a modern and stylish option.
  • 🟤 JY0 Emerald Green - rare and memorable (but difficult to care for).

For commercial use it is better to choose neutral colors (KAD, AY0), since they attract less attention from law enforcement agencies and are easier to sell.