1971 International Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 1971 International Vibe

It's 1971. Nixon is in the White House, the 8-track is blasting Three Dog Night, and your International Truck is the toughest thing on the job site. Back then, International wasn't trying to win beauty pageants with a hundred different metallic flakes. They built machines meant to work from dawn until the cows came home. While the rest of the world was getting flashy, the only color that truly mattered for a survivor like this was Beige-the ultimate "get-it-done" shade that looked just as good covered in farm dust as it did in the driveway.

Paint Health Check

We are firmly in the Single Stage Era here. Your 1971 International didn't come with a fancy clear coat to protect it; it's just pure, thick pigment and resin sprayed straight onto the steel. These finishes are legendary for their durability, but they have one mortal enemy: the sun. Without a clear layer on top, the paint will eventually start to "chalk." If your truck looks less like a gloss finish and more like a dusty chalkboard, that's oxidation. The pigment is literally drying out. In the world of old-school iron, it needs wax or it dies.

Restoration Tip

Before you grab the sandpaper and start stripping that classic Beige, try a "Paint Deep Clean" first. Because this is single-stage paint, the color goes all the way through the layer. Use a high-quality rubbing compound and a buffer to shave off that top layer of dead, oxidized paint. You'll be amazed to find the vibrant, factory-fresh Beige hiding right underneath that white film. Once you bring the shine back, seal it immediately with a heavy paste wax to keep the oxygen out. Treat it like a cast-iron skillet-keep it seasoned, or the "Iron Worm" (rust) will find a way in.