Mitsubishi Steel Blue Pearl (PBJ) Touch Up Paint

The Look

The Mitsubishi Raider was a unique moment in truck history, effectively a rugged American pickup with a Japanese nameplate. Since your truck has been on the road since 2006, it has likely earned some road rash along the hood or fenders. This color provides a sophisticated, deep tone that balances the truck's aggressive lines, making it look more like a high-end cruiser than a basic workhorse. Because it is a blue from the mid-2000s, you might notice the original finish has shifted slightly due to sun exposure, so a careful touch-up is the best way to bring back that factory depth.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which is a step up from a basic metallic. It uses translucent mica flakes rather than just aluminum bits to reflect light. This gives the paint a liquid-like quality, but it also makes the application less forgiving. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the pearls will sink and clump, creating a dark blotch that looks like a bruise on the metal. The goal is to keep those flakes suspended evenly so they catch the light at the same angle as the rest of the truck.

Best Practices

On a Raider, the identification sticker is often found on the passenger side door jamb or sometimes on the firewall behind the engine. Before you spray or dab Mitsubishi Steel Blue Pearl (check for code PBJ), you must shake the container for at least 60 seconds to wake up the settled pearl flakes. Test the color on the included card to ensure the shade is right before moving to the vehicle. When applying, use thin, light layers and keep the container moving to prevent the paint from pooling. Ensure you allow enough drying time between layers to let the finish stabilize. Once the color is level with the original surface, a clearcoat is necessary to protect the mica and provide the final gloss.