Jaguar Sapphire Blue Metallic (1806/JHE) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This is the definitive face of Jaguar luxury from the late nineties. Because it was used across the entire lineup from the XJ8 to the XK8, it carries a heavy sense of executive prestige. In the shade of your garage, it appears as a deep, near-black navy that looks formal and reserved. Once you pull the car into the light, the metallic character wakes up, revealing a royal blue that gives the body lines much more definition. Since your Jaguar has likely been on the road for twenty years or more, the original finish has probably matured, so expect a deep, rich contrast when you apply fresh paint to those chips or scratches.

Technical Details

This is a true metallic finish, which means it relies on tiny flakes to reflect light. These flakes are the reason the color looks so different depending on the angle. The biggest risk here is mottling, or dark splotches, which happens if the paint is applied too heavy in one spot. If the metallic particles bunch up instead of laying flat, the repair will look darker than the surrounding panel. Because this is a darker blue, any unevenness in how the flakes sit will show up clearly, so focus on light, even layers rather than trying to cover the damage in one go.

Best Practices

You can find your paint code on the driver's side door jamb sticker, usually listed near the bottom. Before you spray or dab Jaguar Sapphire Blue Metallic (check for code 1806/JHE), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to get those heavy metallic flakes off the bottom. Test the color on the included card first to see how the flakes settle. If you are using a pen, let the paint flow naturally into the chip without pressing hard. If you are using a can, keep the container moving across the surface to prevent the paint from pooling. Give it plenty of drying time between layers to ensure the metallic effect remains crisp and clear.