2013 Renault Touch Up Paint (4 OEM Colors)

The 2013 Renault Vibe

2013 was a turning point for Renault. The Clio IV had just hit the streets with those curvy, liquid body lines, and the Megane was still the king of the hatchback hill. It was an era where Renault tried to break the "grayscale" boredom of the decade. While the rest of the world was buying boring sedans, we were seeing bold choices like Bright Yellow on the R.S. models and Green Metallic popping up on the city streets. Of course, the Gris Silver Ultra and standard Gray survivors are what usually roll into the shop today, but back in '13, Renault was actually trying to give us some personality.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. By 2013, the factory robots had been calibrated for maximum "efficiency," which is just a fancy way of saying they got real stingy with the spray. These 2013 models left the line with clear coats that are thinner than a crepe at a Parisian street market. The biggest headache? Stone chips. Because the paint is so brittle and thin, a single pebble on the motorway doesn't just leave a mark-it often punches straight through to that bright white under-layer. If you've got one of these in the sun, watch the horizontal surfaces; once that thin clear coat decides it's had enough of the UV rays, it starts to flake faster than a cheap croissant.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 2013 Renault, remember: Build layers slowly; don't blob it. Because the factory finish is so thin, a heavy "one-and-done" blob of touch-up paint will stick out like a sore thumb. You want to mimic those robot hands-thin, precise applications. Apply a light layer, let it flash off, and repeat until you've built the depth back up to level. If you go too heavy, you'll be tempted to sand it down, but on this 2013 clear coat, you don't have much "meat" to work with before you've sanded right through to the neighbors' yard. Patience is your best friend here.