1981 Volkswagen Touch Up Paint (33 OEM Colors)

The 1981 Volkswagen Vibe

Welcome to the dawn of the '80s, where the psychedelic oranges of the previous decade were being swapped for a more "sophisticated" and "sensible" European palette. Whether you're piloting a Rabbit, a Scirocco, or one of those indestructible Pickup Trucks, the 1981 vibe was all about transition. We've kept our focus on the survivors of this era, like the understated Ascot Gray-a color that perfectly captures the shift from the disco era into the clean, corporate minimalism of the early eighties.

Paint Health Check

Back in '81, Wolfsburg was still firmly in the Single Stage Era. This is thick, honest paint where the pigment and the gloss are mixed into one heavy-duty layer. The good news? You've got more "meat" on the bone to work with compared to a modern car. The bad news? This paint doesn't have a clear coat to take the UV punch for it. If your Jetta or Van looks like it was washed with a chalkboard eraser, you're looking at Oxidation. That chalky, hazy fade is just the top layer of paint dying from thirst and sun exposure.

Restoration Tip

Since you're dealing with single-stage enamel, you can actually "resurrect" the finish in a way that's impossible with newer cars. Use a clay bar to pull out forty years of embedded road grit before you even think about touching it with a polisher. But here is the Salty Painter's gospel for 1981: It needs wax or it dies. Because there's no factory clear coat to shield the pigment, your new repair is a sitting duck for the sun. Seal it early and wax it often, or you'll be watching that Ascot Gray turn back into a dusty ghost before the next season change.