1986 Isuzu Background Info
The 1986 Isuzu Vibe
1986 was the year Isuzu decided to cover all the bases. You had the Trooper acting as the "working man's mountain goat," the Impulse looking like a spaceship designed by Lotus, and the I-Mark and Truck handling the daily grind. With 17 different colors in our database for this year, Isuzu wasn't exactly shy with the palette. Whether you were rocking the futuristic Hyper Silver Metallic on an Impulse or the "can't miss it" Golden Glow Yellow, these trucks and cars had a specific 80s grit. It was a time of transition-from the boxy utility of the 70s to the sleek, metallic-heavy dreams of the late 80s.
Paint Health Check
Welcome to The Peeling Era. By 1986, the industry was moving fast into basecoat/clearcoat systems, especially for those fancy metallics like Sky Blue or Silver Beige. The "Paint Whisperer" knows the score: the factory was still perfecting how to make that clear layer stick to the color underneath. If your Isuzu has been sitting in the sun, you're likely dealing with Delamination. That's a fancy word for your clear coat deciding it doesn't want to be friends with the basecoat anymore. Once that clear starts to lift and flake away like a bad sunburn, the pigment underneath is defenseless against the elements.
Restoration Tip
Seal chips immediately before the clear lifts. On a 1986 Isuzu, a rock chip isn't just an eyesore; it's an entry point. Once the seal of that clear coat is broken, moisture and air get sandwiched between the layers, leading to that ugly white flaking. If you see a "nick," don't wait for the weekend. Clean it and get some touch-up on it to lock that clear coat down. If you're working with one of the solid colors like Vivid Red or Ebony Black, you've got it a bit easier, but the rule remains: keep the edges sealed, or you'll be watching your factory finish fly off in the rearview mirror on the highway.