2009 Subaru Touch Up Paint (19 OEM Colors)

The 2009 Subaru Vibe

Welcome to 2009. While the rest of the world was tightening its belt, Subaru was busy handing out AWD keys like candy. This was the year the Forester grew up into a "real" SUV and the Outback started its transition from a lifted wagon to the king of the suburban trailhead. We've got 25 different colors in the vault for this year, and man, the variety is something else. You had the outdoorsy classics like Harvest Gold Metallic and Deep Bronze Metallic for the folks who wanted their car to match the mud, right next to the legendary W R Blue Pearl for the kids who still thought they were in a rally stage on their way to the grocery store. It was an era of sophisticated pearls and deep metallics that looked like a million bucks-at least when they rolled off the lot.

Paint Health Check

By 2009, we were firmly in the "Thin Paint Era." The factory robots had become masters of efficiency, which is just a polite way of saying they got real stingy with the clear coat. If you're looking at your Legacy or Tribeca today, you've probably noticed that the finish is "soft." It doesn't take a stray gravel truck to leave a mark; sometimes a stiff breeze and a piece of road grit are enough to find the primer. Because the coats are so thin, those tiny chips aren't just an eyesore-they're an invitation for the elements to get under the skin. If you see "road rash" on the hood or little brown specks where a chip used to be, that's the thin factory finish surrendering.

Restoration Tip

Since you're dealing with a factory finish that was applied with precision (but not thickness), your repair strategy needs to match. My rule for this era: Build layers slowly; don't blob it. Because the surrounding paint is so thin, a giant "glob" of touch-up will stick out like a sore thumb and won't level correctly. Use a fine-tip applicator to place a thin layer of color just inside the chip, let it dry, and then repeat until it's flush. You're mimicking the robot's efficiency, just with a bit more soul. Seal those chips the second you see them, or that thin clear coat will start lifting at the edges, and then you're looking at a much saltier repair bill.