Lexus IS 350 Touch Up Paint (28 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Lexus really went for it with the IS 350, recording a staggering 29 colors over the years. We've seen everything from the head-turning Matador Red Tricoat and the electrifying Blue Pearl Tricoat to the ultra-modern, flat-grey Incognito. Of course, they also leaned heavily into the "executive" palette-if you're looking at a Mercury Gray Metallic, Sonic Titanium, or Liquid Platinum, you're currently holding one of about a dozen variations of "sophisticated silver." Whether yours is a shimmering pearl or a stealthy matte-look grey, the IS 350 is designed to catch the light, which means your touch-up work needs to be just as intentional.

What to Watch For

Before you start, pop the driver's door and look at the jamb for a black and silver sticker. You're looking for a three-digit code next to the letters "C/TR" (Color/Trim). If you see 070 (Blizzard Pearl), keep an eye on your roof and hood; that specific formula has a history of being a bit "shy" and peeling away from the primer in large flakes. Generally, Lexus uses a notoriously soft clear coat. It looks like liquid glass when it's new, but it's prone to "dimples" and fine scratches. The good news? Soft paint is very forgiving for DIY touch-ups because the new paint "bites" into the surface easily.

Driveway Repair Tip

Since so many IS 350 shades are Tricoats or Pearls (looking at you, Starfire Pearl and Ultrasonic Blue), your touch-up kit might come with two separate bottles. Do not just glob them on! Those tiny metallic flakes and pearls are like sleeping giants-you need to shake that bottle for a full two minutes to wake them up. If you just dab a big drop onto a chip, the "glow" of the pearl will look darker than the rest of the car. Instead, use a toothpick or the very tip of your brush to apply paper-thin layers. Let it dry for 15 minutes between coats. It requires a little more patience, but building the color slowly is the secret to making that chip disappear into the shimmer.