Hyundai Forest Green Pearl (KJ) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color defined the era when Hyundai first began to find its footing on the world stage. If you own an Elantra, Sonata, or a first-generation Tiburon from the late nineties, you are likely looking at this deep, moody shade. It is a quintessential nineties color that moves from a near-black in low light to a lush, organic green when the sun hits it. Since your vehicle has been on the road for over twenty years, the original finish has probably developed a bit of a patina, so this repair is as much about reviving that depth as it is about covering a scratch.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which means it relies on tiny mica flakes rather than larger metallic bits to create its shimmer. Pearl paints are notorious for settling at the bottom of the container, and if those particles are not perfectly suspended, the color will look muddy or flat. Because mica is heavier than the pigment, it can cause the finish to look darker in some spots and lighter in others. Before you spray or dab Hyundai Forest Green Pearl (check for code KJ), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds to ensure the mica is evenly distributed.

Best Practices

You will usually find your paint code on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb or on the firewall behind the engine. When you are ready to work, make sure the car is parked in a cool garage or in the shade to keep the surface temperature down. Test the color on the included card first to see how the mica lays out. When applying, keep the container moving across the surface to prevent the paint from pooling in one spot. This color responds best to several thin layers rather than one heavy application. Give it plenty of drying time between coats so the pearl effect can set properly without shifting.