Subaru Pacifica Blue Metallic (23W) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is a cornerstone of the mid-2000s Subaru aesthetic. If you are driving a 2003 to 2005 Forester or an Impreza Outback Sport, this shade likely defines your car's rugged, outdoorsy character. It is a mature blue that sits somewhere between a sky blue and a slate gray, designed to look just as good covered in trail dust as it does clean. Since your Subaru has likely been on the road for two decades, the original finish might have shifted slightly due to sun exposure, so keep that in mind as you prepare to blend your repair.

Technical Details

This is a metallic finish, which means the paint is loaded with tiny aluminum flakes that reflect light to create depth. Metallic paints are notorious for a phenomenon called mottling-where the finish looks blotchy or striped. This happens if the metallic particles do not lay down evenly. Because these flakes are heavier than the paint pigment, they tend to sink to the bottom of the container. If you do not mix the paint thoroughly, you will end up with a finish that looks darker in some spots and lighter in others, ruining the factory look.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Subaru Pacifica Blue Metallic (check for code 23W), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds to get those metallic flakes suspended. You can double-check your code on the silver VIN plate, which Subaru usually hides on the passenger side strut tower under the hood or along the passenger side door jamb. To ensure the flakes lay flat and even, always test the color on the included card before touching the car. When applying the paint in your garage or in the shade, keep the container moving with steady, even strokes. This constant motion prevents the metallic particles from clumping together. Finally, give the paint plenty of drying time between layers so you do not disturb the metallic pattern you just laid down.