1984 Citroen Background Info
The 1984 Citroen Vibe
Welcome to 1984, where the BX was cutting-edge origami on wheels and the CX was still the king of the French motorway. This was the era of "high-tech" aesthetics meeting old-school grit. While the rest of the world was turning beige, Citroen was leaning into its eccentricities. Our database reflects the survivors of this bold era, focusing on the heavy hitters like the deep, wine-dark Rouge Delage and the vibrant Rouge de Garance. If you're rocking the Camarque Blue Metallic, you've got that quintessential 80s "computer-age" shimmer-just remember that those metallics are a different beast to spray than the solid reds.
Paint Health Check
We are firmly in the Single Stage Era here. Back in '84, clear coats hadn't yet become the universal standard for every car on the lot. Your Citroen's finish-especially those iconic reds-is essentially a thick layer of pigmented resin. It's tough, but it has a massive weakness: Oxidation. If your car has been sitting in the sun, you've likely noticed that "chalky" or hazy look where the vibrant red turns a sad, dusty pink. That's the UV rays literally eating the pigment. Unlike modern cars that peel like a sunburn, 1984 paint just gets tired and goes flat. It's not dead yet, but it's definitely gasping for air.
Restoration Tip
Since this is single-stage territory, you have to remember the golden rule: It needs wax or it dies. Because there's no clear coat "shield," the pigment is directly exposed to the elements. If you're touching up a spot or buffing out some old haze, you're dealing with "live" paint. When you polish it, your cloth will turn the color of the car-don't panic, that's just the dead oxidized layer coming off. Once you've laid down your fresh catalyzed spray or touch-up, seal that work immediately with a high-quality carnauba or polymer sealant. If you leave it "naked," the air will start cooking that fresh paint before the week is out. Keep it fed, keep it greasy, and those French curves will keep their shine.