2013 Cadillac Touch Up Paint (65 OEM Colors)

The 2013 Cadillac Vibe

2013 was the year Cadillac finally decided to take the fight to the Germans with the "Art & Science" design language. You couldn't throw a rock in a country club parking lot without hitting a brand-new ATS, a CTS, or the ever-looming Escalade. In our booth, 2013 is legendary for variety-we've tracked 65 distinct colors for this year alone. Cadillac wasn't just selling cars; they were selling a spectrum. Whether you were rocking the depth of Black Diamond Tricoat, the boldness of Opulent Blue Metallic, or even that unmistakable Mary Kay Pink Tricoat, these cars were meant to be noticed before they even left the driveway.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. By 2013, the factory robots had become masters of "efficiency," which is just a fancy way of saying they got real stingy with the clear coat. While that Crystal Claret or White Diamond looks like a mile of deep water, the actual physical layer of protection is thinner than a luxury sedan's profit margin. The high-solid clears used back then are hard and glossy, but they're brittle. If you look at the front bumper of an SRX or XTS today, you're likely seeing "road rash"-thousands of tiny stone chips where the paint just gave up the ghost. Worse yet, if you let those chips go, the edges of the clear coat can start to lift and delaminate, especially on the plastic fascias.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 2013 Caddy, remember: Patience beats a heavy hand every time. Because the factory finish is so thin, you can't just "blob" a repair and expect it to look right. If you're working with one of those high-end metallics like Ashen Grey or Silver Topaz, apply your color in multiple, whisper-thin layers. Let it dry between passes so the flakes have time to lay down flat and catch the light correctly. If you're dealing with a Tricoat, don't rush the process; the mid-coat is where the magic happens, but too much of it will turn your repair into a dark smudge. Build it up slowly, keep it level, and you'll keep that Cadillac looking like it's still sitting on the showroom floor.