Chevrolet Light (Bar Harbor or Steel Baniff) Blue Metallic (21 (1981)) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This is pure 1981. It captures that specific era of GM design where everything felt transitionary. It isn't a deep navy or a bright electric blue. Instead, it sits in that middle ground-sophisticated but understated. You likely see this on a Malibu, a Monte Carlo, or a Camaro from that single-year run. It has a soft, airy quality that defines the early eighties. It's a classic. It's also forty years old, so expect your existing paint to have shifted toward a different shade thanks to the sun.

Technical Details

This is a metallic finish. That means it's packed with tiny flakes that catch the light. Metallics are picky. If you put it on too heavy, the flakes sink and the color looks dark and muddy. If you go too light, it looks dry and dusty. Before you spray or dab Chevrolet Light (Bar Harbor or Steel Baniff) Blue Metallic (check for code 21 (1981)), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. You have to get those flakes off the bottom of the container or the match will be wrong.

Best Practices

Hunt for your code in the glove box. Check the Service Parts Identification sticker. If it's not there, look under the trunk lid. For the application, the secret is consistent motion. Test the color on the included card first. Don't rush. Apply thin, even layers. Keep the container moving at all times to avoid "tiger stripes" or spotting. Give it plenty of drying time between passes. If you are using a pen, don't glob it. Dab it. This color needs a clear coat to find its true depth and gloss, so don't skip that final step in your garage.