1998 Ducati Touch Up Paint (3 OEM Colors)

The 1998 Ducati Vibe

In 1998, Ducati wasn't just building motorcycles; they were building bedroom posters. This was the year the legendary 916 and its big brother, the 996, were busy making every other bike look like a farm implement. Over in the naked world, the Monster was busy defining the "Dark" aesthetic. While other manufacturers were experimenting with teal and purple splashes, Ducati kept it simple. We've focused our attention on the only two colors that truly defined the era: that iconic, deep Ducati Red (Rosso Corsa) and the stealthy, trend-setting Matte Black that made the Monster a street-fighting legend.

Paint Health Check

Since we're dealing with the 1985-2005 window, you are officially in The Peeling Era. By 1998, the factory was using high-solids solvent-borne clear coats that looked like glass when they rolled off the line in Bologna. The problem? Those thick clears didn't always play nice with the high-vibration plastic fairings or the heat of a Desmo engine. If your Rosso Corsa looks like it's getting a bad sunburn-where the clear coat starts to lift and turn white at the edges-that's delamination. Once oxygen gets between the color and the clear, it's a slow crawl toward a full repaint.

Restoration Tip

The golden rule for 1998 plastics: Seal your chips immediately before the clear lifts. On these Italian fairings, a tiny rock chip isn't just a cosmetic blemish; it's an entry point for moisture to start undermining the clear coat's bond. Use a high-quality solvent-based touch-up to fill the void and "cap" the edge of the surrounding clear coat. This prevents air from getting under the layers and turning a small speck into a giant peeling mess. And for the love of all things Italian, keep that red out of the direct sun when you aren't riding-90s red pigments are notorious for "pinking out" if they spend too many afternoons baking in the driveway.