Saab Carbon Fiber Gray Metallic (WA323N) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color belongs to a very specific moment in history when Saab and General Motors were trying to give the 9-7X a technical, premium edge. It is a deep, brooding gray that leans into the "industrial chic" aesthetic of the mid-2000s. Since your SUV has likely spent the last seventeen years battling car washes and highway debris, you might notice the original finish looks a bit more muted than it did in 2007. This shade is excellent at hiding light road dust, but it reveals every swirl mark if you do not keep a good coat of wax over it.

Technical Details

This is a complex metallic finish packed with fine reflective particles. The name is a nod to the way the light hits the flakes, mimicking the multidimensional look of raw carbon. The metallic nature of this paint makes it high-maintenance during the repair process. If you apply the paint too thick, the flakes will bunch together and create dark, muddy spots that look like bruises on the bodywork. You want the flakes to lay flat and even so they catch the sun correctly, which requires patience and very thin layers.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Saab Carbon Fiber Gray Metallic (check for code WA323N), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. You can find your paint code on the Service Parts Identification sticker, which is usually located inside the glove box on the 9-7X. Because the metallic flakes are heavy, they tend to sink to the bottom of the container; if you do not mix it thoroughly, your repair will look too dark. Test the color on the included card to ensure the flake density matches your car. Work in your garage or the shade to keep the surface cool. Keep the container moving at all times to prevent the metallic particles from pooling, and give each layer plenty of drying time before adding the next.