Volvo 240 Touch Up Paint (10 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

The Volvo 240 is the automotive equivalent of a well-loved cast-iron skillet-it's built to last forever, but even iron needs a little seasoning now and then. Volvo kept the palette sophisticated for the "Brick," offering 10 distinct shades that really let their Swedish sensibilities shine. You've got the dignified Richelieu Red (a wine red that screams "I have a library card") and the outdoorsy Vernon Green. They even leaned into the era with some bold choices like Cornado Gold Metallic and the wonderfully literal Tomato Red. Whether your car is a practical Cascade White or a groovy Mist Brown, it was designed to wear its miles with pride.

What to Watch For

Before you start dabbing, you need to find your secret identity. On a 240, your paint code is usually hiding on a small metal plate on the passenger side strut tower under the hood. Look for a three-digit number (like 189 or 601); if there's a dash and another number after it, ignore the suffix-it's just the brand of paint the factory used back in the day.

Now, here is the reality: Volvo paint from this era is tough, but it has two distinct personalities. If you have a solid color like Tomato Red or Yellow, it's likely "single-stage," which means it tends to turn a bit chalky or pale when left in the sun too long. If you have a metallic like Dusty Green, keep an eye on the roof and trunk-the clear protective layer can sometimes get tired and start to lift. You'll also want to check the area around the door handles and window trim; these "Bricks" are sturdy, but they love to hide tiny chips in those high-traffic spots.

Driveway Repair Tip

Since many of these cars have spent a few decades enjoying the sunshine, your original paint might be a slightly different shade than the fresh paint in your bottle. To keep things looking seamless, less is more. Instead of filling a chip with one big "glob," apply three or four very thin layers, letting each one dry for about 20 minutes. If you're working with one of the metallic colors like Appalachian Blue, give that bottle a serious workout-shake it for a full two minutes to ensure the metallic flakes are swimming evenly in the paint before you touch it to the car.