Toyota Blue Electra Metallic (8U7) Touch Up Paint

The Look

Your Matrix carries a shade that belongs to a very specific moment in Toyota history. Appearing primarily for the 2011 model year, this color offers a punchy, athletic vibe that stands out against the sea of rental-car greys. It is a deep, energetic blue that catches the light well, though since your car has likely spent over a decade on the road, you might find the original finish has softened slightly. This color hides road grime better than a flat black, but it shows off every vertical scratch, making a clean repair vital for maintaining that sharp, factory edge.

Technical Details

This is a true metallic finish, which means it relies on a specific arrangement of tiny aluminum flakes to create its shimmer. Metallics are notorious for being temperamental because those flakes are heavy and love to sink to the bottom of the container or clump together. If they aren't distributed evenly, you will end up with dark spots or "mottling" where the blue looks cloudy. Because the flakes in this specific blue are quite fine, they require thin, even layers to settle correctly. If you try to cover the damage in one heavy pass, the paint will stay wet too long and the flakes will shift, ruining the uniform look once you reach the end of the drying time.

Best Practices

Before you apply Toyota Blue Electra Metallic (check for code 8U7 on the VIN sticker located on your driver's side door jamb), you must mix it thoroughly. Shake the container for at least two minutes to ensure those metallic particles are fully suspended. Test the color on the included card to see how the flakes lay down before moving to the car. Whether you are using a nozzle or a brush, keep the container moving and apply the paint in light, controlled strokes. It is best to work in a garage or the shade so the surface stays cool, which allows the paint to level out naturally without drying too fast and trapping the flakes in a disorganized mess.