2021 Subaru Touch Up Paint (26 OEM Colors)

The 2021 Subaru Vibe

Welcome to 2021-the year the world finally decided to leave the house, and they did it mostly in a Crosstrek or an Outback. Subaru went absolutely wild with the palette this year, offering a massive 26 colors that ranged from the "look-at-me" Plasma Yellow Pearl and Sunshine Orange to the cult-classic Cool Gray Khaki. Whether you were driving a family-hauling Ascent, a track-ready WRX, or the agile BRZ, your car was likely part of a colorful "adventure-first" movement. The vibe was outdoorsy, rugged, and unashamedly bold, with World Rally Blue 2 Tricoat still holding the crown for the speed demons.

Paint Health Check

Here is the cold, hard truth: we are firmly in the Thin Paint Era. While those 2021 colors look deep and vibrant, they were applied with what I call "Robot Efficiency." The factory enamel is laid on thinner than a bad excuse, often measuring just a few microns thick. Because the clear coat is so soft, your Forester or Impreza is a magnet for "trail stripes" from stray branches and "battle scars" from highway gravel. If you look closely at your hood, you're likely seeing the early signs of peppering-tiny chips that expose the primer because the factory clear coat just didn't have the "meat" to deflect a pebble.

Restoration Tip

Since you're dealing with the 2021-era thin factory finish, do not try to fill a chip in one heavy-handed go. If you blob the paint, it'll stand out like a sore thumb against that sleek Magnetite Gray Metallic or Abyss Blue Pearl. Instead, respect the robot's work by building your repair in thin, patient layers. Apply a light coat of factory-matched enamel, let it tack up, and repeat until you've built the depth to match the surrounding surface. Think of it like painting a miniature: slow and steady wins the race, and it keeps that Legacy looking showroom-fresh without the heavy-handed "repair bulge."