1976 Citroen Touch Up Paint (44 OEM Colors)

The 1976 Citroen Vibe

Welcome to 1976, the year Peugeot officially took the wheel at Citroen and the avant-garde spirit of France was pinned between the futuristic CX executive cruiser and the indestructible, umbrella-on-wheels 2CV. If you're looking at our database, you'll see we're tracking 44 distinct colors for this year-and let me tell you, Citroen didn't do "boring." While the rest of the world was painting things the color of a wet sidewalk, the French were out here spraying Calabrian Yellow, Angora Blue, and that deep, earthy Brouge Soleil. It was a time when a car could look like a spaceship (the CX) or a piece of farm equipment (the 2CV) and still pull off a high-fashion metallic like Corrida Red Metallic.

Paint Health Check

We are firmly in the Single Stage Era, my friend. Back then, they didn't hide the color under a plastic-like shield of clear coat; the pigment was the protection. This means your 1976 Citroen has "open" paint. It's thick, it's honest, but it's thirsty. If your Jaune Helianthe or Bleu Petrel looks more like the chalkboard in a dusty schoolroom than a factory finish, you're dealing with Oxidation. Without a separate clear layer to take the hit, the sun literally bakes the life out of the top layer of paint, turning it into a chalky, hazy mess. And don't get me started on the pre-galvanized French steel-if a chip in that Santal Metallic isn't sealed, the rust will start its dinner before you've even finished your morning croissant.

Restoration Tip

If the paint is just dull and "chalky," don't panic and reach for the sandpaper yet. Because this is single-stage stuff, you can often "level" the oxidation with a decent cutting compound to reveal the fresh, vibrant pigment hiding underneath. But here is the Salty Painter's golden rule for '76: It needs wax or it dies. Once you've polished that Weekend Blue back to a shine, you have to seal those pores. Use a high-quality carnauba wax or a modern sealant to create the barrier that the factory never gave it. If you're touching up a chip, build the color in thin layers-don't just blob it on-and remember that these old solvent-based formulas thrive when they are kept fed with protection.