2009 Chevrolet Touch Up Paint (150 OEM Colors)

The 2009 Chevrolet Vibe

In 2009, Chevrolet was in a bit of a transition, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the paint booth. From the triumphant return of the Camaro to the absolute ubiquity of the Silverado and the Traverse, Chevy was spraying a massive palette. Our database has a staggering 150 colors for this year alone-that's more variety than a Vegas buffet. You had high-impact showstoppers like Inferno Orange Metallic and Atomic Orange sharing the assembly line with sophisticated "jewelry" colors like Dark Brahma Jewel Metallic and White Diamond Tricoat. It was an era where Chevrolet tried to give every model, from the budget Aveo to the heavy-duty Kodiak, a bit of metallic depth.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the peak of the Thin Paint Era. By 2009, the factory robots had been programmed to be surgical with their efficiency, meaning the "Robot Efficiency" effect is real. The paint on your Malibu or Impala is likely thinner than your last paycheck. While the clear coat tech was advanced enough to give a great shine, it didn't have much "meat" on the bone. If you drive a Silverado or Tahoe, you've probably noticed the "clear coat sunburn" on the hood or roof where the UV finally won the war. Between the thin factory application and a decade of road debris, these cars tend to look like they've been sandblasted, especially around the leading edges.

Restoration Tip

Because 2009 paint is notoriously thin, the biggest mistake you can make is trying to "fill" a rock chip with one big, heavy blob of paint. It'll look like a zit on a prom date. Instead, you need to mimic the robot: build your layers slowly. Apply a very thin layer of color, let it tack up, and repeat until the crater is nearly level. If you're working with one of those 150 metallic or pearl shades like Red Jewel, the depth comes from the clear coat, not the pigment. Finish with several thin passes of clear to seal the deal. Don't rush it-if you blob it, the solvent can't escape, and you'll end up with a soft spot that'll eventually peel just like the factory stuff.