1996 Jeep Touch Up Paint (26 OEM Colors)

The 1996 Jeep Vibe

1996 was a banner year for Jeep-a time when the TJ Wrangler finally brought those iconic round headlights back to the trail while the boxy XJ Cherokee was busy ruling the suburban carpool lane. This was the era of high-contrast solids and rugged utility. Because Jeep was leaning into a "go anywhere" aesthetic, the colors had to be bold and unapologetic. We've focused our database on the true survivors from this year, including the essential Flame Red and the dual-threat Stone White and Bright White tones that defined the mid-90s trailhead.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the heart of the "Peeling Era." By 1996, Jeep had fully transitioned to basecoat/clearcoat systems, but the bond between those layers wasn't always a happy marriage. If your hood or roof looks like it's recovering from a bad sunburn, you're dealing with the classic "Jeep Peel" (delamination). In this era, UV rays were the enemy, often causing the clear coat to turn brittle and flake off in sheets. Once the clear lifts, the base color underneath becomes chalky and vulnerable to the elements faster than you can shift into 4-Low.

Restoration Tip

On a '96 Jeep, a rock chip isn't just an eyesore-it's an invitation for disaster. Moisture loves to crawl into those chips and work its way under the clear coat, causing it to lift and start the peeling process. Your mission is to seal every chip immediately before the clear has a chance to delaminate. If you notice the clear coat already starting to "halo" or lift around a scratch, carefully sand that flaking edge back until you hit paint that's still firmly bonded. Use our solvent-based touch-up to bridge that gap and lock down the edges. It's not just about the color; it's about stopping the spread.