1992 Isuzu Background Info
The 1992 Isuzu Vibe
Welcome to 1992-the year "Joe Isuzu" was still lying to us and the Amigo was the undisputed king of the trailhead. Whether you were rocking a Trooper, a Rodeo, or the cult-classic Impulse with those "Handling by Lotus" badges, Isuzu wasn't playing it safe with the palette. Our database tracks a massive 50 colors for this year alone. They were leaning hard into the early '90s "Teal and Pearl" craze with colors like Bahamas Green, Coral Reef, and Blue Gitan Pearl. It was a glorious time when your SUV could be as bright as your windbreaker.
Paint Health Check
Here's the rub: 1992 puts us smack in the middle of The Peeling Era. By this point, Isuzu had fully committed to the Basecoat/Clearcoat system to make those metallics like Antique Silver and Iron Gray really pop. But early '90s clear coat tech wasn't exactly bulletproof. If your Isuzu hasn't been living in a climate-controlled bunker, you're likely seeing "Delamination"-that's painter-speak for your clear coat flaking off like a bad sunburn. Once that clear starts to lift from the base, the pigment underneath (especially on the Radiant Red and Cranberry Pearl models) turns chalky and dies fast.
Restoration Tip
If you've still got clear coat left, seal every single chip immediately. In this era, a stone chip is more than an eyesore; it's an entry point for air and moisture to get under the clear and start the peeling process. If you're already seeing "dandruff" on the hood or roof, don't just try to wax over it-you'll just make it shiny and peeling. You need to feather the edges of the failing clear with a fine-grit paper before applying a fresh touch-up. It's the only way to stop the "scab" from growing across the entire panel.