AC-318 - Sable Metallic Citroen Touch Up Paint

The Look

You are handling a piece of French design history. This color is the definitive choice for the golden era of the DS and the early years of the SM. It is a warm, sophisticated sand that feels much more expensive than a standard beige. Because your car was built in the early 1970s, the original paint has likely softened over the decades. This metallic finish captures the sun and highlights the aerodynamic curves that made these cars famous.

Technical Details

This is a metallic finish, which means it contains tiny flakes that provide that signature shimmer. These flakes are heavy and love to sink to the bottom of the container. If they are not suspended perfectly, the repair will look like a dark smudge rather than a crisp match. This effect is called mottling. To avoid it, you must ensure the flakes distribute evenly across the surface. If you apply the paint too heavily in one spot, the metal particles will clump together and ruin the reflection.

Best Practices

On a vintage Citroen, you will usually find your paint information on a small, circular aluminum disc riveted to the bulkhead or engine bay firewall. Sometimes it is stencilled directly onto the front suspension turret. Before you spray or dab Citroen Sable Metallic (check for code AC-318), you need to shake the container for at least sixty seconds to wake up those metallic particles. Test the color on the included card to ensure the flake density looks right. Work in a cool garage or the shade to keep the surface temperature down. Keep the container moving at all times to prevent the metal from pooling, and give it plenty of drying time between light layers.