1971 Buick Touch Up Paint (25 OEM Colors)

The 1971 Buick Vibe

1971 was a heavy year for Buick-literally and stylistically. It was the debut of the legendary "Boattail" Riviera and the high-water mark for the GS 455 Stage 1. At the factory, Buick wasn't just painting cars; they were curating a 25-color landscape of post-psychedelic earth tones and high-metallic "Poly" finishes. Whether you were rolling in Verdemist Green Poly, the iconic Bittersweet Mist Poly, or a loud-and-proud Fire Red, these cars were meant to be seen. With 25 colors in the books, Buick offered more variety than a suburban wallpaper catalog, ensuring that no two Centurions at the country club looked exactly the same.

Paint Health Check

Back in '71, we were spraying Thermoplastic Acrylic Lacquer. This was the peak of the Single Stage Era. There was no clear coat to hide behind; the pigment and the protection were mashed together in one thick, glossy layer. The problem? Lacquer is "breathable" and oily, and 50+ years later, those oils have left the building. If your Burnished Cinnamon or Stratomist Blue looks like it's been dusted with flour, that's Oxidation. The paint is literally dying of thirst, turning into a chalky ghost of its former self. If you see "checking"-those tiny little spiderwebs or cracks in the finish-that's the lacquer shrinking as it dries out.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 1971 survivor, remember: It needs wax or it dies. Modern clear-coated cars can survive a bit of neglect, but this vintage single-stage stuff will oxidize again the moment you look away if you don't seal it. After you apply your touch-up and let it cure, you've got to level it and then feed the surrounding paint. Use a high-quality Carnauba-based wax to saturate the old pigment. You're not just making it shiny; you're replacing the lost oils to prevent that "chalk" from returning. Treat it like old leather-keep it fed, keep it sealed, and stay away from those high-pressure "brushless" car washes that strip the life out of 50-year-old lacquer.