2012 Smart Touch Up Paint (10 OEM Colors)

The 2012 Smart Vibe

Welcome to 2012-the year we all thought the Mayan calendar was going to punch our tickets, but instead, we just got the "Gangnam Style" dance and the peak of the Smart Fortwo. This was the era of the "urban pod," where parking was the only thing that mattered. While the rest of the world was playing it safe with Crystal White and River Silver Metallic, Smart was actually leaning into the quirk with Light Green Metallic (matt). Our database tracks 10 of these survivors, from the stealthy Deep Black to the "look at me" Rally Red. It was a time when cars were getting smaller, but the paint was getting... well, interesting.

Paint Health Check

If you're staring at a 2012 Smart today, you're likely seeing the dark side of the Thin Paint Era. By this time, factory robots had become so efficient they were practically counting the individual pigment particles. These cars were painted with absolute precision-meaning they didn't waste a drop-and that leaves very little room for error a decade later. Because the Fortwo is a jigsaw puzzle of plastic (thermoplastic polyolefin) panels, the paint has to flex. If you have the Rally Red, you've probably noticed the "molting" effect-that's classic clear coat delamination where the sun has literally cooked the bond between the color and the clear. The Tridion Silver Metallic trim usually holds up better since it's on metal, but those plastic doors and hoods are prone to "the peel" once the factory clear gets tired.

Restoration Tip

When you're fixing chips on these 2012 panels, remember: Build layers slowly; don't blob it. Because the factory finish is so thin, a heavy "glob" of touch-up paint will stand out like a sore thumb and might not flex properly with the plastic panel. Apply your color in thin, translucent coats, allowing the solvent to flash off completely between layers. If you're working on that Light Green Metallic (matt), God speed-matte finishes don't like to be buffed, so your application has to be perfect from the jump. For the glossy colors, once you've built up your level, a light dab of clear over the top will seal the deal, but keep it flush. You're aiming for a surgical repair, not a 3D art project.