Subaru Quartz Blue Pearl (J8U) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color is the practical sibling to the famous World Rally Blue. While the rally-inspired shades scream for attention, this finish is more at home on a dirt trail or a rainy highway. It was a staple for the XV Crosstrek and Forester because it manages to look sophisticated without being delicate. Depending on the light, your car might shift from a bright, sky-adjacent blue in direct sun to a muted, deep navy in the shade. Since your vehicle has likely been on the road for several years, you might notice the original paint has a slight silver-grey undertone that helps hide road grime and dust remarkably well.

Technical Details

This is a true pearl finish, which means it relies on tiny mica flakes to create that signature depth. The risk with any pearl is mottling-those strange dark spots or stripes that appear when the metallic particles clump together. If you don't keep the flakes suspended in the liquid, the color will look flat and won't catch the light correctly. Because this is a multi-stage style of paint, it will often dry to a matte or flat finish. You will need a clear coat over the top to bring out the gloss and protect the mica from the elements.

Best Practices

You can find your paint information on the passenger side door jamb or stamped onto one of the strut towers under the hood. Before you spray or dab Subaru Quartz Blue Pearl (check for code J8U), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. This is the most important step for a pearl finish; those mica flakes are heavy and love to settle at the bottom. Test the color on the included card to make sure the flakes are distributing evenly. When you start applying, keep the container moving to prevent the paint from pooling, which causes the color to look too dark in one spot. Allow for a longer drying time between light layers to ensure the finish stays level and smooth.