1998 Infiniti Touch Up Paint (16 OEM Colors)

The 1998 Infiniti Vibe

Picture it: It's 1998. You're behind the wheel of a Q45 or a QX4, cruising with a Discman plugged into the cassette adapter while "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls plays for the tenth time today. Infiniti was hitting its stride as the sophisticated alternative to the European old guard, and nothing screamed "executive status" like a deep, mirror-finished luxury sedan. While the era flirted with champagne beiges and forest greens, we've focused our efforts on the absolute survivor of the bunch: Black Obsidian. It's the color that defined the late-90s Japanese luxury aesthetic-ink-heavy, unapologetic, and sharp enough to cut glass.

Paint Health Check

Now, here's the cold, hard truth from the spray booth. Your 1998 Infiniti was born right in the heart of The Peeling Era. Back then, the industry had moved firmly into the basecoat-clearcoat system, but the chemistry hadn't quite mastered the art of staying together forever. After twenty-odd years of UV exposure, these cars are prone to "delamination"-that's painter-speak for your clear coat deciding it doesn't want to be friends with the color underneath anymore. If you see white, flaky edges on the roof or trunk lid, that's the clear coat lifting. Once it starts to look like a bad sunburn, you're in for a world of hurt.

Restoration Tip

If you're lucky enough to still have a solid finish, your mantra is seal chips immediately. In this era of paint, a stone chip isn't just an eyesore; it's an invitation for moisture to crawl under the clear coat and start the lifting process. Grab a touch-up pen or a small brush and fill those voids the second you see them. When you're repairing a spot, remember that Black Obsidian relies on that clear coat for its depth-don't just slap the black on and call it a day. Level the chip with color, but leave just enough room to cap it with a high-quality clear to lock the edges down and stop the peel before it spreads.