Volvo GLE Touch Up Paint (30 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Volvo recorded 30 colors for the GLE, and they truly ran the gamut of 80s and 90s style. While they offered the sensible Cascade White and Dark Gray Metallic, they also really went for it with "main character" shades like Cornado Gold Metallic, Cyprus Green Metallic, and the deep, moody Richelieu Red. Whether you're driving a rolling gold bar or a forest-green tank, these colors were designed to look substantial.

What to Watch For

If you're looking for your paint code, head straight to the engine bay. Look for a stamped metal plate usually located on the passenger side strut tower or the firewall. You're looking for a three-digit number (like 189 or 601); if there are extra numbers after a dash, those just tell the factory which brand of paint was used, so don't let them confuse you.

Be aware that Volvo paint from this era-especially the reds like Tomato Red-is famous for "getting sleepy," which is a nice way of saying it can fade or turn slightly chalky if it's spent decades in the sun. Also, keep an eye on the roof and hood; if the paint looks like it's starting to flake or peel like a sunburn, it just means the protective top layer is tired. It's nothing a little TLC and a touch-up bottle can't improve.

Driveway Repair Tip

Because many of these GLE colors are metallics (like Mystic Silver or Avalon Blue), the "sparkles" inside the bottle like to settle at the bottom. Before you start, shake your touch-up pen or bottle for at least two full minutes-long after you think you're done. When applying, remember that three thin, watery layers will always look better than one big, thick blob. If the color looks a little different than the rest of the car at first, don't worry; matching 30-year-old paint requires patience, and it often darkens slightly as it fully dries over 24 hours.