2018 Opel Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 2018 Opel Vibe

2018 was a year of transition and "sophisticated" commuting for Opel. The Insignia B was trying to convince everyone it was a premium German executive car, while the Mokka X was busy conquering every suburban curb in sight. In our archives, we've focused on the shades that defined the era's sleek, metallic aesthetic-specifically the creamy, gold-flecked Panacotta and the sharp, industrial Switch. These weren't just colors; they were the armor for a fleet of cars trying to look expensive while keeping the production lines moving at light speed.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. By 2018, the robots in the factory were tuned for "maximum efficiency," which is just a polite way of saying they sprayed the bare minimum required to cover the metal. Because these coats are so thin, they lack the "give" that older, thicker paints had. This makes the 2018 Opel particularly susceptible to "Road Rash"-those tiny, white stone chips on the leading edge of the bonnet and the wheel arches. If those chips are left open to the elements, the bond between the thin color coat and the clear coat can weaken, leading to premature lifting around the wound.

Restoration Tip

When you're repairing a chip on a 2018 finish, do not-I repeat, do not-just drop a giant blob of paint into the crater and hope for the best. Because the factory finish is so thin, a thick "blob" repair will stand out like a sore thumb. Instead, use the "Build and Blend" approach. Apply your paint in paper-thin layers, allowing each one to tack up before adding the next. You want to slowly bring the level of the repair up to meet the factory clear coat. It takes a bit more time, but it's the only way to match the precision of the robots that sprayed it in the first place.