COLOR CODEAC-403 - Corsaire RedCitroen Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This is the definitive flash-in-the-pan color from the French golden era. Since it was only active for a single year across all models, seeing it today is a rarity. It brings a sharp, period-correct energy to the sophisticated lines of a DS and a punchy, adventurous spirit to the 2CV. Because your car has likely been braving the elements since 1969, the existing finish has almost certainly shifted toward a flatter, chalkier tone. This is a bold, high-impact red that refuses to be ignored, making it the perfect choice for a car that serves as a rolling piece of history.

Technical Details

You are dealing with a classic solid finish. There are no metallic flakes or pearls hiding in here to complicate your life, which means you do not have to worry about the finish looking striped or mottled. The trade-off is that red is a heavy-pigment color. It is naturally less opaque than a white or a grey, so it requires patience to get full coverage over a repair. Since there is no metallic to shift in the light, the depth of the color comes entirely from your application. Solid reds like this are also prone to oxidation, so ensure the area around your repair is polished clean in the shade before you begin.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Citroen Corsaire Red (check for code AC-403), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. Red pigments are notorious for settling at the bottom of the container, and if you do not mix them thoroughly, the color will look thin and translucent. On most models from this era, you can find the paint code stamped on a small, round aluminum plate riveted inside the engine bay near the firewall or radiator. Always test the color on the included card to ensure the match is right for your car's current level of age and fade. When applying, keep the container moving to prevent the paint from pooling, and allow enough drying time between layers to build up that deep, rich saturation.