1996 Forest-River Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 1996 Forest-River Vibe

Welcome to 1996-the year Forest River hit the scene and changed the way the American family hit the highway. If you were piloting a brand-new Motorhome back then, you weren't just driving; you were captaining a land-yacht through a sea of teal and champagne. While other manufacturers were busy making everything look like a plastic bubble, Forest River leaned into that "Classy Executive" aesthetic. We've focused our attention on the survivors of that era, specifically the Gold Metallic that defined 90s luxury and the Gloss Trim Black that kept those massive rigs looking grounded. It was the era of Macarena on the radio and gold-flake shimmering in the campground sun.

Paint Health Check

Now, let's talk shop. If you're looking at an original '96, you're dealing with what I call The Peeling Era. By the mid-90s, the industry had fully committed to the basecoat/clearcoat system, but they hadn't quite perfected the "stick." On these big Forest River rigs, the sun is your absolute worst enemy. Those horizontal surfaces on the cab and the upper trim are prime real estate for delamination. Once the clear coat starts to go, it doesn't just fade-it lifts off in sheets like a bad sunburn. If your Gold Metallic is starting to look "ashy" or flaky, that's the clear coat waving the white flag.

Restoration Tip

In this era of paint, your motto is: "Seal it or lose it." Because we're dealing with a delamination-prone clear coat, a tiny rock chip is more than just an eyesore-it's an entry point for air and moisture to get under the clear and start the peeling process. Seal chips immediately before the clear lifts. If you catch a chip early, a dab of touch-up paint acts as a mechanical bond that keeps the surrounding clear coat pinned down. Don't wait for a "snowstorm" of clear coat flakes to start hitting your windshield; hit those spots with a precision applicator the second you see them.