Lexus IS Series Touch Up Paint (11 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Lexus decided to give the IS Series a wardrobe that ranges from "Executive Boardroom" to "Weekend at the Vineyard." We've tracked 11 distinct colors for this lineup, and they really went for the luxury vibe with the names. You aren't just driving a green car; you're driving Desert Sage Metallic. You aren't in a red sedan; you're piloting Matador Red Tricoat. From the icy, multidimensional Glacier Frost Mica Tricoat to the deep Black Onyx, these colors were designed to catch the light-and the occasional envious glance at a stoplight.

What to Watch For

Lexus is famous for many things, but "rock-hard paint" isn't one of them. The clear coat on the IS Series is notoriously "soft." While that sounds like a critique, it's actually a win for you: soft paint is much more forgiving for hand-repairs than the brittle shells found on some European cars. You'll likely find most of your battle scars on the leading edge of the hood or around the door handles. If you're driving the White Crystal Pearl, keep an eye out for small flakes wanting to peel away-catching those early with a dab of paint is the secret to a long-lasting finish. To find your specific color match, open the driver's door and look at the sticker on the jamb. Look for the letters "C/TR" (Color/Trim); the three-digit code right after that is your golden ticket.

Driveway Repair Tip

Since so many IS colors are "Mica," "Pearl," or "Tricoats," your bottle of touch-up paint is basically a snow globe of expensive-looking sparkles. Those heavy metallic flakes like to settle at the bottom, so shake that bottle or pen for a full 60 seconds-longer than you think you need-to wake them up. When applying, remember that these deep Lexus finishes are built in stages. Instead of trying to fill a chip with one giant, bulging drop of paint, apply two or three thin "whisper" layers. It requires a little more patience, but it ensures those beautiful pearls and micas lay down flat and catch the sun exactly the way the factory intended.