Volkswagen Vanagon Touch Up Paint (33 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

The Volkswagen Vanagon is a rolling canvas of German nostalgia, and with 33 recorded colors, they really went for it. Whether your van is rocking the punchy Paprika Red, the iconic Bright Orange, or the understated Dove Blue Metallic, these colors were designed to stand out at a campsite. You might even find yourself hunting for a match for Wolfram Gray Metallic or Savannah Beige-colors that prove VW knew their way around a sophisticated palette even for a box on wheels.

What to Watch For

If you walk up to your Vanagon and rub the paint, don't be surprised if your finger turns the color of the van. Many of these classics used "single-stage" paint, which tends to get chalky or oxidized over time, especially on the flat, sun-drenched roof. You'll also want to check the very front of the van; because it's shaped like a brick, it catches every rock on the highway, leading to a "starry night" of tiny chips.

Finding your color code is a bit of a treasure hunt. If you have an earlier model (1980-1983), peek under the driver's seat near the battery box. For the 1984-1991 crowd, look under the dashboard near the fuse box-it's usually on a paper sticker or a metal plate. If that sticker has long since vanished, don't worry; it just requires patience to find the right match by year and name.

Driveway Repair Tip

Since Vanagon paint can get "chalky" (that's the oxidation talking), the most important step for a DIY touch-up is the prep. Before you touch that brush to the van, give the chip a quick wipe with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. This clears away the dead paint so your new layer actually sticks to the metal.

If you're working with one of the metallics like Flash Silver or Titian Red, shake your touch-up bottle for at least two full minutes. Those tiny metallic sparkles love to settle at the bottom, and you want them floating in the paint to get that factory shimmer back on your panel. Apply the paint in thin, dainty dots-it's much easier to add a second layer later than to deal with a big, sagging drip on the side of your bus.