1980 International Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1980 International Vibe

1980 was the year International Harvester was fighting for its life, but they were still building trucks that could outlast a nuclear winter. Whether you're looking at a Scout II in its final production year or an S-Series workhorse, the aesthetic was pure "Utility Chic." The palette was dominated by the kind of earth tones that looked at home in a dust storm. While the world was moving toward neon and mirrors, International stuck to the classics. We've locked in the survivor of that era: Beige. It wasn't just a color; it was a camouflage for the job site, and honestly, it's the only one that still looks right on a square-body binder today.

Paint Health Check

You're dealing with the Single Stage Era, my friend. Back in 1980, International wasn't messing around with fancy clear coats that peel like a bad sunburn. They used thick, honest enamel. The legend is that these trucks were built bulletproof, but the paint has a specific enemy: Oxidation. If your International has been sitting in a field since the Reagan administration, that Beige probably looks more like a chalkboard than a truck. It doesn't flake off in sheets; it just turns into a dull, chalky powder that rubs off on your shirt every time you lean against the fender.

Restoration Tip

If you're touching up a 1980 International, remember that this paint is thirsty. Because it's a single-stage finish, it's porous. My golden rule for this era: It needs wax or it dies. Before you apply any new pigment, you've got to buff away that "dead" chalky layer to find the stable paint underneath. Once you've done your repair, seal the whole thing with a heavy-duty paste wax. If you leave single-stage enamel naked to the sun, it'll start oxidizing again before you've even finished your first tank of diesel. Treat it like leather-keep it fed, or it'll turn to dust.