1989 Saab Touch Up Paint (12 OEM Colors)

The 1989 Saab Vibe

1989 was the year of the architect's dream. Whether it was the iconic "Classic" 900 Turbo or the executive 9000, these Scandinavian jets-on-wheels were the ultimate statement in thinking differently. While the rest of the automotive world was getting lost in a sea of beige and dusty rose, Saab kept it sharp. We've focused our database on the ultimate survivor: Black. It was the definitive choice for the '89 lineup-a color that looks just as sophisticated outside a university library as it does hitting full boost on the interstate. It's the color that reminds you these cars were designed by people who spent their days building fighter planes.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to The Peeling Era. By 1989, the industry was fully committed to the base coat/clear coat system. It gave these Saabs a deep, mirror-like shine when they were new, but thirty-five years of sun has changed the math. The enemy here is delamination. On many '89 models, the bond between the color and the clear coat has reached its breaking point. If your roof or hood is starting to look like it has a "milky" haze or, worse, the clear is flaking off in sheets like a bad sunburn, you're witnessing clear coat failure. Once that clear lifts, the color coat underneath is exposed and will fade faster than a one-hit wonder on the 1989 charts.

Restoration Tip

On a 1989 Saab, a rock chip isn't just a cosmetic blemish-it's a breach in the hull. Once the clear coat is compromised, moisture and UV rays get under the edges and start "zippering" the clear right off the body. My advice? Seal chips immediately. Don't wait for the weekend. The moment you see a nick, clean it and get some touch-up paint on there to lock the edges of the clear coat down. This prevents the "lift" from spreading. Also, keep that Black finish under a heavy coat of high-quality wax; at this age, that extra layer of UV protection is the only thing keeping your Swedish steel from looking like a chalkboard.