Saab 9-5 Touch Up Paint (51 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Saab didn't just make cars "born from jets"; they painted them like they were headed for a gallery. With 51 recorded colors, they really went for it, offering everything from the iconic Saffron Yellow and the mysteriously named Vivid Gandalf Pearl to the sophisticated Nocturne Blue Metallic. Of course, they also leaned heavily into the "Scandinavian Corporate" look, giving us enough variations of silver and gray-like Steel Gray, Glacier Silver, and Titan Gray-to make a rainy day in Trollhattan look like a high-fashion photoshoot.

What to Watch For

Before you get to work, you need your "secret code." On the 9-5, Saab liked to play hide-and-seek: you'll typically find the 3-digit paint code on the manufacturer's sticker located on the driver's side B-pillar (the frame you see when you open the door) or, occasionally, on a sticker inside the glove box.

Keep an eye on the horizontal surfaces-the hood and roof are notorious for "sunburn," where the clear coat starts to flake off like a bad beach vacation. Also, check the door handles and side mirrors; these plastic bits often see the paint start to lift before the rest of the car. If you see a small chip, catch it early before the Swedish winter salt decides to make it a permanent resident.

Driveway Repair Tip

If you're working with one of Saab's many gorgeous pearls or metallics, like Fusion Blue Pearl or Chili Red Pearl, the "magic" is in the mix. These paints have tiny flakes that like to settle at the bottom of the bottle. Give your touch-up pen or bottle a vigorous shake for a full two minutes-long after you think you're done, keep shaking.

When applying, remember that Saab paint responds best to patience. Instead of trying to fill a chip with one big glob, dab a tiny amount into the center of the chip and let it flow to the edges. If it's a deep one, wait 20 minutes and add a second thin layer. It's better to build a tiny mountain than to deal with a messy lake.