COLOR CODEXAU - Dark Mahogany BrownSubaru Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This color marks a shift toward a more premium identity for your Outback, Forester, or Ascent. It is an earth tone that plays a double life. In the garage or on a cloudy day, your car looks like a deep espresso that hides road grime. Once the sun hits the panels, the red and burgundy undertones wake up. It is a choice for owners who want something more interesting than a standard black but want to avoid a loud, bright red. Since your Subaru is a newer model, the finish still has its factory depth, making it a prime candidate for a clean repair.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which differs from a solid or basic metallic. The depth comes from mica flakes suspended in the paint. These flakes are sensitive to application thickness. If you apply the paint too heavy in one spot, the flakes will clump and make the repair look like a dark, muddy patch. If you apply it too thin, you will not see that signature red glow in the sunlight. You want to find a middle ground where the pearl lays flat to reflect light at the same angle as the surrounding panels.

Best Practices

You can find your paint code on the passenger side center pillar door jamb or stamped on the strut tower under the hood. Before you spray or dab Subaru Dark Mahogany Brown (check for code XAU), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds. Pearl flakes are heavy and settle at the bottom; they must be fully mixed into the pigment to match. Test the color on the included card to check the flake distribution before you touch the car. Whether you use a nozzle or a brush, keep the container moving to ensure the paint lands evenly. Give each layer sufficient drying time so the finish builds depth without running or sagging.