2012 Subaru Touch Up Paint (20 OEM Colors)

The 2012 Subaru Vibe

By 2012, Subaru was the official chariot of the weekend warrior. Whether it was a Forester parked at a trailhead or an Outback hauling a kayak, these cars were everywhere. Our database tracks 23 distinct colors for this year, which is Subaru's way of saying they had a shade for every possible lighting condition in the Pacific Northwest. From the earthy Cypress Green Pearl to the iconic W R Blue Pearl, the 2012 palette was all about looking good while covered in a light dusting of trail grime.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to The Thin Paint Era. By 2012, factory "Robot Efficiency" had reached a peak. The bean counters realized they could save a fortune by spraying the absolute minimum amount of pigment required to cover the metal. The result? A finish that looks stunning on the showroom floor but is about as thick as a single-ply tissue. If your Impreza or Legacy has spent a decade on the highway, you're likely staring at a hood that looks like it's been through a gravel storm. This "soft" paint era is notorious for peppering-tiny rock chips that expose the primer at the slightest suggestion of a pebble.

Restoration Tip

Because these coats are so thin, your biggest mistake is trying to fix a chip with one giant, heavy-handed drop of paint. It'll sit on the surface like a pimple and never level out. Build layers slowly; don't blob it. Use a fine-tip applicator to place a tiny amount of paint in the center of the chip and let it flow to the edges. Wait for it to dry, then add another layer. You want to build the repair up until it's just a hair below the surrounding clear coat before you seal it. Patience is the only way to beat the robots.