1985 BMW Touch Up Paint (19 OEM Colors)

The 1985 BMW Vibe

1985 was the year BMW truly cemented itself as the "Ultimate Driving Machine" for the upwardly mobile. While the 2002 and 3.0 were the legends that built the house, '85 was about the 325, the 528, and that gorgeous shark-nosed 635 ruling the fast lane. We've managed to preserve 19 distinct shades from this era-a buffet of 80s German sophistication. You've got the heavy hitters like Alpine White and Cinnabar, but it's the variety that kills me. We have everything from the polarizing (but incredibly era-appropriate) Bronzit Beige Metallic to the deep, moody hues like Sable Brown and Burgundy Metallic. Back then, if you pulled up in a Cosmos Blue 733, people knew you'd arrived.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the front lines of "The Peeling Era." By 1985, BMW was leaning hard into basecoat/clearcoat systems, especially for those flashy metallics like Arctic Blue and Delphin Metallic. The problem? The tech was still in its awkward teenage years. We're talking about Delamination. That clear coat on your roof or trunk lid likely looks like a bad sunburn-it starts as a small white haze and eventually starts lifting off in sheets. Once that clear coat fails, your base color is a sitting duck for UV rays and oxidation. If you're seeing "the peel" on your Diamond Black or Graphite Metallic, your paint's protective skin is literally walking away from its job.

Restoration Tip

Listen to the salty painter: Seal your chips immediately before the clear lifts. In this era of paint, a rock chip isn't just a cosmetic blemish; it's an invitation for moisture to get under the clear coat and start the delamination process. If you find a nick in your Gazelle Beize or Lapis Blue, don't wait for the next oil change to fix it. Clean the spot, dab the basecoat, and-most importantly-apply your clear coat to "bridge" the gap and lock those factory edges down. If you've already got peeling edges, you'll need to carefully feather them back with 1000-grit wet sandpaper before touching up, or your new repair will just peel off along with the old clear.