Saab 9-7X Paint Info
The Color Breakdown
The Saab 9-7X arrived during a time when Saab was trying to fit in at the American country club, and their color palette reflected that "refined but rugged" vibe. With 14 recorded colors, they leaned heavily into the classics. You've got the sophisticated Graystone Metallic, the moody Carbon Fiber Gray Metallic, and the surprisingly flashy Red Jewel Tricoat. If it feels like there are a lot of grays-well, there are. Between Graphite, Dark Gray, and Carbon Fiber, it's clear the designers were inspired by a very stylish thunderstorm.
What to Watch For
Because the 9-7X shares its DNA with the GM truck family, it occasionally suffers from what I call "The Clear Coat Sneeze." You might notice the shiny top layer starting to flake or peel on the roof, hood, or near those chunky door handles. Also, keep an eye out for bubbling around the edges of the rear liftgate. To get ahead of it, you'll need your paint code. Since this car is a bit of a hybrid, don't just look in the door jamb; pop open the glove box and look for a sticker with "BC/CC" followed by a code (like WA-800J). If it's not there, check the spare tire compartment-it likes to play hide-and-seek.
Driveway Repair Tip
If you're working with one of those sophisticated metallics like Crystal Blue Metallic or Imperial Blue, your biggest mission is the "Shake." Those tiny metallic flakes are heavy and like to nap at the bottom of the bottle. Shake your touch-up pen or bottle for a full two minutes-long after you think you're done-to wake up those sparkles. When applying, think "thin and patient." It's much better to dab three paper-thin layers than to drop one big "blob" that will never level out. If you're tackling the Red Jewel Tricoat, remember that it's a depth-based color; it requires patience to get the shade right, so test it on a piece of cardboard first!