Mercedes-Benz GLE Touch Up Paint (41 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Mercedes-Benz didn't just pick a palette for the GLE; they curated a botanical garden. With 41 recorded colors, they really went for it. You've got the classics like Obsidian Black Metallic and Iridium Silver, but things get poetic with Smaragd Green (that's Emerald for the rest of us), Hyacinth Red, and Sodalith Blue. And if you think you're just looking at "Grey," think again-between Selenite, Graphite, Alpine, and Tenorit, Mercedes has more shades of grey than a hardware store's flooring aisle. It's a sophisticated lineup that makes the GLE look like it belongs at a gala, even when it's just at a grocery store.

What to Watch For

Before you pop that touch-up cap, you need your "secret recipe" number. On the GLE, Mercedes finally got smart: you'll almost always find your 3-digit paint code on the driver's side door jamb sticker. Look for a three-digit number (sometimes preceded by a '9'-like 9775 for Iridium Silver).

In the reality department, the GLE has a big, proud front end that acts like a catcher's mitt for road gravel. Keep a close eye on the leading edge of the hood. Mercedes paint is high-quality, but it can be "soft," meaning stone chips can turn into tiny "spider leg" cracks if moisture gets under the finish. If you see a chip, don't wait for the family reunion to fix it; addressing it early keeps the "spiders" away. Also, if you're rocking one of the "Designo" or "Magno" matte finishes, remember that they require a bit more patience to match the surrounding texture, so take your time.

Driveway Repair Tip

Since so many GLE colors are metallic or pearl (looking at you, Diamond White Tricoat and Velvet Brown), the "The Paint Whisperer" secret is all in the wrist. Shake that touch-up bottle for a full 60 seconds-no, really, set a timer. Those tiny metallic flakes like to nap at the bottom of the bottle, and you need them awake to get that factory shimmer.

When applying, think "thin and patient." Instead of trying to fill a chip with one big glob of paint, dab a tiny bit into the center of the chip and let it spread itself out. If it's a deep crater, come back in 20 minutes for a second light layer. It's much easier to add a little more than it is to deal with a runaway drip on your beautiful German SUV.