1986 International Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1986 International Vibe

1986 was a year of identity crises. International Harvester officially rebranded to Navistar International, but the trucks on the road didn't care about the corporate letterhead-they were still the same iron-willed workhorses. Whether it was an S-Series dump truck or a medium-duty hauler, the aesthetic was pure utility. While the rest of the world was getting flashy with neon and metallics, the only color that truly mattered for a rig that worked for a living was Beige. It's the ultimate "survivor" shade; it hides the dust of the job site and looks just as professional at the weigh station as it does in the fleet yard.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the dawn of The Peeling Era. By 1986, the industry was knee-deep in early clear coat technology, and let's just say the R&D hadn't quite caught up to the reality of a brutal summer sun. If your International has a clear coat, you're likely dealing with delamination-that lovely effect where the clear starts lifting in sheets like a bad sunburn after a day at the lake. If it's one of the single-stage holdouts, you're looking at "The Chalk." Without regular love, that Beige turns into a matte powder that rubs off on your shirt every time you lean against the fender.

Restoration Tip

In this era, a rock chip isn't just a cosmetic blemish; it's an invitation for the clear coat to start its Great Escape. Once oxygen and moisture get under that top layer, the bond is toast and the peeling will spread faster than a rumor at a truck stop. Seal your chips immediately. Even if you aren't ready for a full respray, dab some fresh paint into those pits to lock down the edges of the clear. It stops the delamination in its tracks and keeps your 1986 survivor from looking like it's shedding its skin.