1988 Austin Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 1988 Austin Vibe

Welcome to 1988, the year the Austin name was packing its bags while the Metro and Maestro were still trying to convince the neighbors they were "world-class." It was a time of shoulder pads, synth-pop, and a paint palette that didn't need a thousand options to make a statement. We've focused our database on the true survivors of the era-the iconic Bright Red and the sophisticated Silver Leaf. If you're still driving an Austin in these shades, you aren't just a car owner; you're a curator of British motoring history (and probably a wizard with a wrench).

Paint Health Check

By 1988, the industry was deep into The Peeling Era. While the single-stage paints of the past would just go chalky and wait for a polish, '88 was the dawn of early clear-coat technology. This means your Silver Leaf metallic isn't just "fading"-it's likely delaminating. When that clear coat decides to part ways with the base color, it looks like your car is sunburned and peeling. Once the clear lifts and air gets underneath, the game changes from "detailing" to "rescue mission."

Restoration Tip

In this era, your biggest enemy is the "edge." If you see a stone chip in that Silver Leaf or Bright Red, don't wait for the weekend. Seal those chips immediately before the clear coat starts to lift around the wound. Once the moisture gets under that clear shell, it'll start flaking off in sheets faster than you can say "British Leyland." A quick touch-up now acts like a bandage, keeping the rest of that factory finish anchored to the metal where it belongs.