1989 Alfa-Romeo Touch Up Paint (6 OEM Colors)

The 1989 Alfa-Romeo Vibe

1989 was a hell of a year for Alfa-Romeo. While the rest of the world was watching the Berlin Wall come down, Alfa was busy trying to convince us that a boxy Milano (75) was a luxury sedan and that the Spider-which had been around since the dawn of time-didn't need a single redesign to stay cool. We've cataloged the survivors of this era, focusing on the 6 essential colors that defined the late-80s Italian aesthetic. From the unmistakable Alfa Red to the sophisticated shimmer of Blu Chiaro Metallic and Stellar Blue Metallic, these shades were designed to look fast while parked at a sidewalk cafe in Milan.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Peeling Era. By 1989, the industry had moved away from thick, repairable lacquers and into early basecoat/clearcoat systems. While this gave the Gray and Stellar Blue metallics a great showroom shine, the chemistry wasn't quite "forever" yet. The biggest threat to your '89 Alfa is delamination-where the clear coat decides it's no longer on speaking terms with the color underneath. If you see white, flaky patches or a "leprosy" look on the hood or roof, that's the clear coat failing. If you're rocking the solid Nero Black or Alfa Red, you might be dealing with classic oxidation that turns your Italian masterpiece into a dusty chalkboard.

Restoration Tip

In this era, a rock chip is more than an eyesore; it's an invitation for disaster. Once the seal of the clear coat is broken, moisture and air can get underneath and start "lifting" the surrounding paint. My advice? Seal every chip immediately. Don't wait for the weekend. Use a precise touch-up pen to bridge that gap between the base and the clear. If you're working with the metallics like Blu Chiaro, don't try to "blob" it on; build it up in thin layers to keep the metallic flakes laying flat, otherwise, you'll end up with a dark spot that sticks out like a sore thumb.