Jaguar Mistral Metallic (861/JHA 1861/JHJ) Touch Up Paint

The Look

Mistral is a ghost from the late nineties. It is a cool, breezy blue metallic that was only around for a flicker of Jaguar history, primarily appearing on the 1998 model year line-up. If you own an XK8 or an XJ8 in this shade, you have a rare bird. It sits right in the sweet spot between a traditional silver and a sky blue, giving the car a lighter, more ethereal feel than the heavy British Racing Greens that dominated the era. Because your Jaguar has been on the road since the late twentieth century, the original finish has likely weathered and lightened slightly, so the way you apply your touch-up will dictate how well it disappears into the surrounding panels.

Technical Details

This is a true metallic finish, which provides that signature Jaguar shimmer but requires a steady hand. Metallic paints are packed with tiny flakes that like to sink to the bottom of the container. If these flakes are not distributed evenly, you will end up with mottling-those dark, cloudy patches or stripes that make a repair look obvious. The goal is to get the flakes to lay flat and uniform across the surface. Because Mistral is such a light shade, any unevenness in the flake distribution will show up as a dark shadow, so your focus should be on consistent, light layers rather than trying to cover the damage in one go.

Best Practices

You can find your paint code on a sticker located on the driver's side door jamb, often near the latch. Before you spray or dab Jaguar Mistral Metallic (check for code 861/JHA 1861/JHJ), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to ensure those heavy metallic particles are fully suspended. Test the color on the included card first to see how the shimmer looks once it dries. To avoid the dreaded dark spots, keep the container moving at all times during application. Use light, thin layers and allow for plenty of drying time between each one. If you are using a brush or pen, use a light dabbing motion rather than a long stroke, which can drag the flakes and ruin the metallic effect.