1988 BMW-Motorcycles Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 1988 BMW-Motorcycles Vibe

By 1988, BMW was knee-deep in a full-blown identity crisis-and I mean that in the best way possible. You had the legendary "Airheads" like the R100RT refusing to die, while the "Flying Bricks" (the K100 and K75 series) were trying to convince everyone that three and four cylinders were the future of the Autobahn. The color palette reflected that confidence. We've focused our collection on the true survivors of this era, specifically the high-impact Bright Red and the deep, sophisticated Blue that defined these touring machines. Back then, a BMW didn't just arrive; it made an architectural statement in primary colors.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the "Peeling Era," kid. In 1988, BMW was perfecting the transition into high-gloss basecoat/clearcoat systems, especially on those expansive plastic fairings. The problem? Those early clear coats were about as loyal as a cheap kickstand. After thirty-plus years of sun and road grit, the clear coat on many '88 models is prone to delamination. It starts as a tiny rock chip, but once the air gets under that top layer, the clear begins to lift and flake off in sheets, leaving your beautiful Blue or Bright Red base coat looking like a shedding snake. If you see a "cloudy" patch, that's the clear coat giving up the ghost.

Restoration Tip

If you've got a 1988 survivor, your absolute priority is sealing the perimeter. The moment you spot a chip in the clear coat, do not wait. If air and moisture get between the color and the clear, the bond is toast for the whole panel. Clean the area with a prep solvent (nothing too aggressive on that vintage plastic!), and use a precision touch-up pen to seal the edges of the chip immediately. When applying your repair, build the color in thin, patient layers. Once it's level, hit it with a high-quality clear to "lock" the factory finish down. You aren't just fixing a spot; you're holding the rest of the paint job together by force of will.