1973 Audi Touch Up Paint (34 OEM Colors)

The 1973 Audi Vibe

1973 was the year Audi truly started making some noise on the asphalt. Whether you were piloting the stately Audi 100 or the nimble new Fox (known to the rest of the world as the 80), you weren't just driving-you were making a statement in Technicolor. Our database shows a staggering 34 colors for this year, and let me tell you, the Germans weren't shy. They leaned hard into that groovy 70s palette. If you didn't opt for the sophisticated Agate Brown Metallic, you were likely turning heads in something loud like Tibetian Orange, Canary Yellow, or the legendary Pop Lila. It was a buffet of pigment that made every parking lot look like a bowl of Skittles.

Paint Health Check

Now, let's get real about what's under that hood-or rather, on top of it. In '73, we were living in the Single Stage Era. This isn't your grandson's multi-layered plastic wrap; this is thick, honest acrylic enamel. The good news? It's tough. The bad news? It's a "living" finish. Without a clear coat to shield it, the sun is your absolute worst enemy. If your Audi has been sitting out, that deep Senegal Red or Spanish Green has likely "chalked out"-a fancy way of saying it's oxidized into a dull, powdery mess. And don't get me started on the steel. Audi hadn't perfected the galvanization process yet, so if you see a bubble under that Alaska Blue Metallic, treat it like a fire-because rust never sleeps.

Restoration Tip

Here's the beauty of single-stage paint: it's forgiving to those who are willing to sweat. Since the pigment goes all the way through, you can often "reveal" a fresh layer of 1973 just by buffing away the dead, oxidized top skin. Grab a high-quality compound and a dual-action polisher; you'll be amazed at how that Tibetian Orange jumps back to life. But listen closely: once you bring that shine back, you have to seal it. Without a clear coat for protection, this paint needs a heavy coat of wax or a sealant every few months, or it'll go right back to looking like a chalkboard. Feed the paint, or it'll die on you.