Volvo S40 Touch Up Paint (19 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Volvo gave the S40 a surprisingly vibrant wardrobe with 19 different colors recorded. While they definitely covered the Swedish corporate essentials like Titanium Grey Metallic and Silver Metallic (very "sensible architect"), they also really went for it with some personality. If you're driving an S40 in Gecko Green Pearl, Orange Flame Pearl, or Chameleon Blue Pearl, you've clearly rejected the "boring sedan" lifestyle. Whether yours is a standard Ice White or a deep Black Sapphire Pearl, there is a lot of character hiding in that Swedish sheet metal.

What to Watch For

Before you start, you need to find your "paint DNA." For the S40, Volvo liked to play hide-and-seek with the paint code. Don't get discouraged-check the passenger side B-pillar first (open the front passenger door and look at the post between the doors). If it's not there, check the edge of the rear passenger door or the driver-side strut tower under the hood. You are looking for a three-digit number, like "452" or "612." As for the paint itself, S40s are known for being sturdy, but the clear coat on the roof, hood, and trunk can get sun-tired over time, especially on Passion Red models which love to soak up UV rays. If you see tiny white chips on the nose, those are just "road badges" waiting for a quick fix before they invite rust to the party.

Driveway Repair Tip

Since so many S40 colors are "Pearls" or "Metallics," those tiny shimmering flakes like to settle at the bottom of the bottle like heavy sand. Shake your touch-up bottle for at least 60 seconds-longer than you think you need to-to wake up those sparkles. When you apply the paint, think of it like building a sandwich: thin layers are your best friend. If you put on one big, thick blob, the metallic flakes will sink to the bottom and make the spot look darker than the rest of the car. Dab on a tiny amount, let it dry for 15 minutes, and repeat until the chip is filled. Patience wins every time in the driveway.