COLOR CODELQ3Z/S0 - Opera Red MetallicVolkswagen Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This is not your average fire-engine red. When Volkswagen released this shade for the Passat and Polo between 2012 and 2015, they were aiming for something more executive and mature. It carries a deep wine undertone that looks refined in the shade but wakes up with a sharp glow under direct sunlight. Since your car has likely been on the road for a decade or more, you should expect the original finish to have matured. This means the fresh paint in your hand might look slightly more vibrant than the weathered panels on your car, so focus your work on the center of the damage and blend outward toward the edges.

Technical Details

This finish relies on a metallic base, which uses tiny flakes to catch the light. Before you spray or dab Volkswagen Opera Red Metallic (check for code LQ3Z/S0), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. Metallic paints are prone to a problem called mottling, where the flakes gather in uneven clusters and create dark spots or stripes. This usually happens if the paint is applied too heavily in one spot. To avoid this, you want to build the color in thin, even layers rather than trying to hide the damage in one go.

Best Practices

You can find your paint code on a white paper sticker located in the trunk, usually near the spare tire well or under the carpet. If that sticker is gone, check the inside cover of your service maintenance book. Before you begin the repair in your garage or a patch of shade, test the color on the included card to see how the flakes settle. When you are ready to apply the paint, keep the container moving at all times to ensure the metallic particles stay suspended and distributed. Give the area plenty of drying time between each light coat to prevent the red pigments from sagging or running.