1981 Bentley Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1981 Bentley Vibe

Nineteen-eighty-one was a year of heavy hitters at Crewe. The Mulsanne was stepping into the spotlight, carrying enough hand-rubbed steel to sink a yacht. While the rest of the world was busy experimenting with plastic trim and neon lights, Bentley stayed in the trenches of tradition. In our database, the color that truly defined the era was Racing Green. It wasn't just a paint choice; it was a statement of intent. You didn't buy a Bentley in '81 to blend in with the commuters; you bought it to look like "old money" that had been parked outside a manor since the Great War.

Paint Health Check

We are firmly in the Single Stage Era here. Back in '81, Bentley was still laying it on thick with high-solid paints that had the depth of a deep-sea trench. But here's the rub: single-stage paint is a living thing. It doesn't have a clear coat "shield" to hide behind. If your Mulsanne has been sitting out, that Racing Green is likely starting to look more like a chalkboard than a mirror. We call it "oxidation"-the paint is literally drying out and turning into a fine, chalky dust. If the surface looks dull and feels thirsty, you're looking at a finish that is slowly starving to death.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 1981 finish, you aren't just slapping on color; you're performing surgery on a legend. My professional advice? It needs wax or it dies. Before you even think about touching up those rock chips, you need to buff away that "dead" oxidized layer to find the true, vibrant color hiding underneath. Once you've applied your touch-up, you have to keep that panel sealed. Single-stage paint is porous-it breathes. Without a heavy-duty wax to lock out the oxygen, your fresh repair will eventually drift away from the original shade. Keep it hydrated, or the sun will win every time.