1974 International Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1974 International Vibe

Welcome to 1974, where the air was thick with the smell of leaded gasoline and the International Scout II and Loadstar trucks were busy winning the war against unpaved roads. This was the year of the "Earth Tone Revolution." If it wasn't Harvest Gold or Burnt Orange, it was Beige-the utilitarian king of the job site. While we've focused our database on the ultimate survivor, that iconic Beige, don't let the simplicity fool you. These trucks weren't painted to win beauty pageants; they were dipped in industrial-grade confidence designed to outlast a Nixon administration.

Paint Health Check

We are firmly in the Single Stage Era here. Back in '74, they didn't believe in "clear coats"-they just sprayed the pigment straight onto the steel and called it a day. The Legend is bulletproof, but the paint has a specific way of dying: it doesn't peel, it "chalks." If you rub your hand across an old International and your palm turns the color of the truck, you're looking at heavy oxidation. The sun literally bakes the binders out of the paint, leaving a dry, dusty residue on the surface. It's not "patina"; it's the paint screaming for help.

Restoration Tip

Since this is single-stage enamel, you have a unique advantage: there is no clear coat to delaminate. If the metal isn't rusted through, you can usually find "new" paint hiding right under that chalky top layer. Use a high-quality rubbing compound to "shave" off the oxidized skin and reveal the original Beige underneath. But remember the Golden Rule of 1974: It needs wax or it dies. Once you buff it back to a shine, you must seal it with a heavy carnauba wax or a modern sealant. Without that barrier, the sun will turn your restoration back into a chalkboard before the next oil change.