1997 Ducati Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 1997 Ducati Vibe

Welcome to 1997, where the air smells like Two-Stroke smoke and the only thing louder than a dry clutch is the Britpop blasting out of a car stereo. This was the year the 916 was the undisputed poster child of every garage in the world, and the Monster was busy inventing the "Naked" category while everyone else was still wearing neon windbreakers. In '97, we've focused on the survivors: the iconic Ducati Red that screams speed even when it's parked, and that Matte Black finish that made the "Dark" series look like it was stolen from a stealth fighter hangar.

Paint Health Check

Now, let's talk shop. We are deep in The Peeling Era. Back in '97, the factory was getting fancy with basecoat/clearcoat systems, but the bond between that vibrant red and the clear protective layer wasn't exactly a marriage made in heaven-especially on those flexible plastic fairings. If your 916 has spent too much time baking in the sun or living under a cheap tarp, you're likely seeing "Delamination." That's painter-speak for your clear coat deciding it wants to be a flakey croissant and lift right off the base. Once the air gets under there, it's game over for the original finish.

Restoration Tip

The golden rule for 1990s Italian glass: Seal your chips immediately before the clear lifts. If you spot a rock chip, don't wait for the weekend. Moisture and road grime love to crawl under the edge of a clear coat crack and start a "peel party" that will eventually require a full strip-down. Grab a touch-up pen and seal that edge to lock the clear coat down to the base. And if you're working with that Matte Black? Keep the buffers and wax far away-unless you want to turn your stealthy finish into a shiny, splotchy mess that looks like a cheap bowling ball.