1996 Honda-Motorcycle Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1996 Honda-Motorcycle Vibe

Welcome to 1996-the year Honda was busy rewriting the rulebook with the CBR900RR Fireblade and the king-of-the-road Gold Wing. It was a time of baggy jeans, the Macarena, and sportbikes that looked like they were moving at 100 mph while standing still. In our database, we've focused on the ultimate survivor of that year: the Red Tricoat. While Honda offered plenty of options for "All Models," the Red Tricoat was the one that made you look twice. It wasn't just a color; it was a three-stage commitment to looking fast, even if you were just parked at a roadside diner.

Paint Health Check

Now, let's get real. We're deep in The Peeling Era. Back in '96, factory paint tech was getting fancy with multi-stage finishes, but the chemistry hadn't quite figured out how to stay glued together forever. The Honda engines from this year might be bulletproof, but the clear coat? That's another story. If your bike spent its life outside, you're likely seeing "delamination"-that's painter-speak for when the clear coat decides to part ways with the base coat. It usually starts on the top of the tank or the edges of the fairings where the sun hits hardest. Once that clear starts to lift, it peels away like a bad sunburn, leaving that gorgeous Red Tricoat looking dull and defenseless.

Restoration Tip

If you've still got your original factory shine, you need to be a hawk about rock chips. On a '96 Honda, a tiny chip isn't just a cosmetic blemish; it's an invitation for the clear coat to start lifting. Seal those chips immediately. Use a precision touch-up pen or a fine brush to fill the void before the wind and moisture get under the edges of the clear. If you wait until you see the clear "haloing" around the chip, you're too late, and you'll be looking at a full respray. Keep it sealed, keep it waxed, and maybe-just maybe-that Red Tricoat will see another thirty years.