1996 Mazda Touch Up Paint (41 OEM Colors)

The 1996 Mazda Vibe

It's 1996. The Macarena is on every radio, and Mazda is at the peak of its "bubble" design era. This was the year of smooth, aerodynamic shapes-from the street-legal spaceship known as the RX-7 to the timeless lines of the Miata and the refined 626. While the world was obsessed with flashy teals and maroons, we've focused our efforts on the survivors, specifically the deep, liquid-ink finish of Black Onyx. It was the color that made the 929 look like a diplomat's cruiser and gave the Truck a bit of much-needed attitude. If you're lucky enough to still have one of these in the driveway, you know they don't make curves like this anymore.

Paint Health Check

In '96, Mazda was deep into the Peeling Era. They were using a two-stage basecoat/clearcoat system, which gave these cars a beautiful showroom shine, but it came with a shelf life. By now, the clear coat on your roof, hood, or the tops of the doors is probably feeling the pressure. When this stuff goes, it doesn't just fade-it delaminates. It starts as a cloudy white haze and then begins to flake off like a bad sunburn after a week in Cabo. If your Black Onyx is starting to look "chalky" or has white splotches, it's not just dirty; the clear coat has officially checked out.

Restoration Tip

The golden rule for mid-90s Mazda paint is simple: Seal the chips immediately. In this era, a stone chip isn't just a blemish; it's an invitation for the clear coat to start lifting. Once moisture and air get under the edge of that clear layer, the bond to the Black Onyx basecoat is toast. If you see a nick in the paint, clean it out and hit it with a touch-up pen or a brush immediately to lock down the edges. Think of it like a snag in a sweater-if you don't catch it early, the whole thing is going to unravel.