1959 Buick Touch Up Paint (11 OEM Colors)

The 1959 Buick Vibe

Welcome to the year of the "Delta Wing." In 1959, Buick went all-in on the space race with fins that could slice the air and enough chrome to be seen from the moon. Whether you're piloting a LeSabre, an Invicta, or the top-shelf Electra, you aren't just driving a car-you're captaining a land-yacht. Buick bragged about their "Magic-Mirror" finish this year, and for good reason. With 11 heavy-hitting shades in our vault, from the cosmic Lido Lavender Metallic to the deep Sierra Spruce Metallic (WA3305), the palette was as bold as the styling. Back then, if you wanted to stand out, you ordered Tampico Red or Copper Glow Metallic and let the neighbors stare.

Paint Health Check

Here's the cold, hard truth from the spray booth: 1959 was the heart of the Single Stage Era. This isn't the plastic-wrapped, thin factory enamel of today; this is thick, honest-to-goodness acrylic lacquer. But "Magic-Mirror" or not, 60-plus years of sun and storage takes a toll. If your paint looks like a chalkboard, that's Oxidation-the paint is literally dying on the surface. Worse yet, original lacquer is brittle. It doesn't flex; it cracks. We call it "checking" or "crazing"-those tiny spiderweb lines that prove the finish has reached its limit. If you've got Glacier Green or Silver Birch turning chalky, you're looking at a finish that's thirsty for help.

Restoration Tip

When you're dealing with a single-stage beast like this, remember: It needs wax or it dies. Because there's no clear coat to protect the pigment, the environment eats the color directly. If you're doing a repair, you need to build your layers with patience. Lacquer is a solvent-heavy game; it "melts" into the previous layer, which is great for a deep shine but unforgiving if you rush it. Once you've got that Pearl Fawn or Wedgewood Blue leveled out, seal it immediately with a high-quality carnauba wax or a period-correct sealant. If you leave it "open," the air will start the oxidation process all over again before you can even get to the first car show.