Toyota Sonic Quartz Tricoat (085) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This isn't the flat, utilitarian white found on a base-model pickup. If you own a 4Runner or an 86 in this finish, you know it has a depth that looks like liquid stone. In the garage or shade, it looks like a clean, crisp white, but under direct sunlight, the pearl finish creates a soft glow. It gives models like the Avalon a luxury feel and helps the sharp body lines of a C-HR stand out even from a distance. Because it has such a high-end look, even small chips tend to catch the light and ruin the silhouette of your car.

Technical Details

This is a pearlescent tricoat finish. This means the color isn't achieved with just one pass; it requires a base layer followed by a semi-transparent middle layer that contains the effect flakes. The biggest risk with this finish is mottling, where the pearl looks blotchy or uneven. If you apply that middle layer too thick, the repair will end up looking slightly yellower or darker than the rest of the car. It is a forgiving color for hiding fine dust and light road grime, but it requires a steady hand and patience to match the deep, multi-dimensional factory finish.

Best Practices

Open your driver's door and look at the identification sticker on the jamb for the letters "C/TR" followed by your three-digit code. Before you spray or dab Toyota Sonic Quartz Tricoat (check for code 085), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. This mixing is the only way to get those pearl flakes off the bottom so they flow evenly through the nozzle or onto the brush. Test the color on the included card first to see how many thin layers of the mid-coat you need to reach the right shade. Keep the container moving to prevent the paint from pooling, and give each layer plenty of drying time to ensure the next one bonds properly without dragging the color underneath.