1998 Honda Touch Up Paint (38 OEM Colors)

The 1998 Honda Vibe

It's 1998. You're blasting "Semi-Charmed Life" on the way to the local multiplex to see Armageddon, and your biggest worry is whether your Tamagotchi is still alive. Honda was hitting its stride with bulletproof reliability, putting the high-revving Prelude, the family-hauling Odyssey, and even the futuristic Electric Vehicle Plus on the road. We've cataloged the heavy hitters from this era, focusing on the real survivors like Milano Red and the ubiquitous Vogue Silver Metallic. These weren't just colors; they were the uniform of a decade that believed a well-maintained Accord could actually outlive its owner.

Paint Health Check

Now for the reality check: we are deep in the heart of The Peeling Era. Honda engines might run for 300,000 miles, but by 1998, the factory clear coats were often ready to quit by mile 80,000. If your Civic or CR-V has spent any significant time under the sun, you're likely seeing "delamination"-that's painter-speak for your car looking like it has a nasty sunburn. The clear coat starts to turn chalky and white before it begins flaking off in sheets, especially on the hood, roof, and trunk. Once that protective layer lifts, the base color underneath is defenseless against the elements.

Restoration Tip

If you've still got original paint on those horizontal surfaces, consider yourself lucky-but don't get cocky. My advice? Seal every chip the second you see it. On these late-90s finishes, a stone chip isn't just an eyesore; it's an entry point. Once moisture and air get under the edge of the clear coat at a chip site, the delamination process accelerates. When you're touching up, don't just blob the paint on. Carefully clean the area, and if the clear is already starting to lift around the edges, use a fine-grit abrasive to lightly level the "shelf" of the peel before applying your touch-up. This "locks down" the perimeter and keeps your Taffeta White or San Marino Red looking like a car instead of a topographical map.