1997 Chevrolet Touch Up Paint (96 OEM Colors)

The 1997 Chevrolet Vibe

Welcome to 1997-the year the Cavalier was everywhere, the Camaro was celebrating its 30th birthday, and the Tahoe was officially cementing itself as the king of the suburban driveway. Chevrolet wasn't shy with the color palette this year; we've cataloged 14 of the most iconic shades that defined the era. It was a time of deep, moody metallics like Dark Toreador Metallic and Indigo Metallic, balanced out by the high-visibility "look at me" tones like Torch Red and Bright Blue Metallic. Whether you're trying to save a Geo Metro that refuses to quit or keeping an S-Series pickup looking respectable for work, you're dealing with the peak of 90s factory finishes.

Paint Health Check

If you're looking at your '97 Chevy today, you're likely witnessing "The Great Peeling." This was the heart of the Delamination Era. By 1997, the industry had fully committed to the basecoat/clearcoat system, but the chemistry hadn't quite mastered the art of staying together under the sun. On models like the Suburban or the Express van, it's common to see the clear coat on the roof and hood start to "lift" or turn into a flaky, white mess that looks more like a bad sunburn than automotive paint. Once that clear coat separates from the base color, your paint loses its UV umbrella, and that Silver Metallic or Medium Red Metallic underneath will start to turn chalky and disappear faster than a 90s boy band.

Restoration Tip

In this era, a small rock chip isn't just a blemish; it's an invitation for delamination to start its slow crawl across your panel. To keep your factory finish intact, you need to seal chips immediately. If you spot a nick in your Arctic White or Black paint, don't wait for the weekend. Clean the area and apply your touch-up color and clear coat right away. By sealing the edges of that chip, you're essentially "gluing" the clear coat back down to the base, preventing air and moisture from getting underneath and lifting the clear like a piece of old Scotch tape. Catch it early, or you'll be looking at a full respray before the next inspection.