1994 Aston-Martin Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1994 Aston-Martin Vibe

By 1994, Aston-Martin was standing at a crossroads. On one side, you had the old guard-the hand-beaten, twin-supercharged Vantage and Virage, cars that looked like they were carved out of a single block of adrenaline. On the other, the DB7 was just arriving to bring a bit of "modern" Ford-funded refinement to the lineup. It was an era of peak 90s prestige where the only color that truly mattered was Stornoway Silver. It wasn't just a paint choice; it was a suit of armor for the discerning gentleman who wanted to go 180 mph without looking like a loudmouth. The look was deep, metallic, and deceptively cold.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the "Peeling Era." By the mid-90s, the factory had fully committed to the basecoat/clearcoat system. While this gave the Stornoway Silver that killer depth, it introduced a new enemy: Delamination. The bond between that silver base and the protective clear layer wasn't always a lifelong marriage. After thirty years, the UV rays have likely been gnawing at the edges. If you see white, flaky patches on the roof or the hood that look like a snake shedding its skin, you're looking at clear coat failure. Once that clear lifts, the basecoat underneath is defenseless and will turn chalky faster than you can find a mechanic who actually knows how to work on a Virage.

Restoration Tip

In this era, your best defense is a proactive offense: seal your stone chips immediately. Because the clear coat on a '94 is prone to lifting, a tiny rock chip isn't just an eyesore; it's an entry point for moisture to get under the clear and start the peeling process. When you find a nick, don't just "blob" some paint on it. Clean it, apply a thin layer of basecoat, and then-crucially-cap it with a high-quality solvent clear. Level it off once it cures. You want to lock down those edges before the clear decides to go on a solo journey away from the car.