1978 Citroen Touch Up Paint (48 OEM Colors)

The 1978 Citroen Vibe

By 1978, Citroen was playing a high-stakes game of "Futurism vs. Folklore." You had the CX gliding on its hydropneumatic magic carpet, looking like a spaceship that landed in a Parisian alley, while the 2CV and Dyane were still bouncing along like indestructible garden sheds. Our database shows a staggering 48 colors for this year-Citroen wasn't just selling cars; they were selling a spectrum. Whether you were rocking the vibrant Mimosa Yellow, the earthy Erable Beige, or the sophisticated Bleu Petrel, these cars had a presence that screamed "I have a summer home in Provence and a very complicated relationship with my mechanic."

Paint Health Check

If you're staring at an original 1978 finish, you're looking at the peak of the Single Stage Era. This isn't the plastic-wrapped look of a modern car; it's a thick, honest layer of pigment-heavy enamel or lacquer. The problem? It's alive, and it's hungry. Without a clear coat to shield it, the sun literally "eats" the top layer of pigment, leading to Oxidation. If your Corrida Red Metallic looks more like a pink chalkboard or your Vert Printemps has gone fuzzy and matte, that's just dead paint sitting on top of the good stuff. In '78, the factory didn't care much about rustproofing either-we call it "French Lace" for a reason. If you don't keep this paint sealed, the moisture goes straight through the pores and starts an unwanted chemistry experiment with the steel underneath.

Restoration Tip

Here's the deal: Single-stage paint needs wax or it dies. If your Citroen has that "chalky" fade, don't just slap a coat of wax over it-you'll just be polishing the funeral shroud. You need to "cut" the oxidation first. Use a light rubbing compound to peel back that dead, oxidized layer and reveal the fresh pigment hiding below. Once the color "pops" again, you must seal it immediately. Since this paint is porous, a high-quality solvent-based wax is your best friend. It fills those microscopic pits and keeps the oxygen away from the metal. Remember, you're not just detailing a car; you're preserving a piece of 1970s engineering. Treat it like a fine wine: keep it out of the sun and never let it get thirsty.