Subaru Medium Red (M1Y) Touch Up Paint

The Look

You see this color everywhere, from the mountain passes where the Outback thrives to the suburban driveways parked with an Ascent or Impreza. It is a mature, deep red that stays grounded rather than shouting for attention like a racing shade. It has been a mainstay since 2018 because it handles the dirt of the road well while still looking sharp after a quick wash. Since your car has likely seen a few seasons of weather, you are dealing with a color that is designed to be resilient and timeless.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which is different from a standard solid paint. Because it contains specialized light-reflecting particles, the depth of the red changes based on your viewing angle. The risk here is piling the paint on too thick in one spot, which can make the repair look darker than the surrounding area. You want to build the color in thin layers to let those pearl pigments lay down flat. If they clump up, the finish will lose that glow that makes the factory paint look so rich.

Best Practices

Start by finding your color plate on the passenger side door pillar or on the strut tower under the hood. Before you spray or dab Subaru Medium Red (check for code M1Y), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to ensure the pearls are fully mixed. Test the color on the included card before you touch the car to see how the shade reacts to light in your garage or shade. Keep the container moving at all times to prevent the paint from pooling. Give the surface plenty of drying time between each light layer to ensure a clean, level repair.