1998 Aston-Martin Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1998 Aston-Martin Vibe

Welcome to 1998, the year the DB7 and the V8 Coupe were busy making every other car on the road look like a pile of uninspired plastic. This was the era of Ian Callum's peak "chiseled" design, where Aston-Martin was successfully shaking off the "gentleman's club on wheels" reputation for something faster and meaner. While the world was obsessed with the tech boom, the only color that really mattered in the late 90s was silver. It screamed precision, performance, and "I have a car phone the size of a brick." We've kept our focus on the survivors of this golden age, specifically the iconic Stornoway Silver-a shade that captures that high-speed, high-finance energy perfectly.

Paint Health Check

We are deep in The Peeling Era now, kid. Back in '98, the industry was all-in on high-solids solvent clears, but the bond between the base and that top coat wasn't always a lifetime contract. On these Astons, you've got a mix of steel and composite panels (like the DB7's bonnet and boot lid). These materials expand and contract at different rates when they sit in the sun, and after 25+ years, that clear coat is likely looking for a divorce. Keep a sharp eye on the edges of the pillars and the tops of the fenders. If you see "clouding" or white, flaky edges, that's delamination starting to bite. Once the clear lifts, the base coat underneath has about as much UV protection as a wet paper towel.

Restoration Tip

In this era, your best friend is immediate intervention. If you spot a stone chip, don't wait for the weekend-seal it immediately. When moisture and oxygen get under the edge of a chip on 1998-spec clear, it starts "creeping," turning a tiny dot into a silver-dollar-sized peel in no time. If you're touching up a metallic like Stornoway Silver, remember: don't over-work the brush. Lay the color down in one smooth motion to keep those metallic flakes from standing on end, or you'll end up with a dark "bruise" in the middle of your repair. Seal it, level it, and keep it out of the midday sun if you want that factory clear to stay where it belongs.