Volvo Matt Gold Pearl (489) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This gold is not the champagne or beige your grandfather drove. When Volvo released this shade for the C30, S40, and V50, they were chasing a youthful, edgy vibe to match the "waterfall" interior of the late 2000s. It was a flagship color for the C30 R-Design launch, sitting in a rare space between a burnt orange and a deep bronze. Since your car has likely been on the road for over fifteen years, the original pigment has probably softened. This means your fresh paint might look slightly richer than the weathered panels, especially if the car has lived in the sun.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which is the most rewarding but also the most temperamental to apply. The name "Matt" refers to the soft, satin glow of the original factory finish rather than a lack of gloss. Because it is packed with pearl particles, the paint changes its character based on the angle of the light. The risk here is mottling-those dark, cloudy spots that appear if the metallic flakes clunk together. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the particles sink and ruin the light-catching effect. You want thin, even layers to let the pearl breathe.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Volvo Matt Gold Pearl (check for code 489), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. You can find your paint code on the identification plate located on the passenger-side door pillar or on the firewall inside the engine bay. Test the color on the included card to see how the pearl settles before you touch the car. When applying, keep the container moving to ensure the metallic flakes lay down flat. Give the area enough drying time between coats so the paint does not sag or trap moisture. If you are using a brush or pen, use light touches rather than heavy strokes to prevent the gold from looking streaky.