1999 International Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1999 International Vibe

In 1999, while the rest of the world was panicking about Y2K and computers crashing, International was busy building the backbone of the highway. Whether you were piloting a 4700 Series box truck or a massive 9200 Eagle, these things were meant to work, not sit in a showroom. We've focused our attention on the real survivor of the era: Beige. It wasn't just a color; it was the corporate uniform of the late 90s. It hid the road salt, masked the dust of the job site, and looked professional under the glow of a truck stop neon sign. It was the color of a fleet that actually showed up on time.

Paint Health Check

Now, let's talk shop. By 1999, the industry had fully committed to the "Peeling Era." These trucks were sprayed with a high-solid solvent basecoat protected by a clear coat that, frankly, didn't always have a long-term friendship with the sun. If your International has spent its life outside, you're likely seeing "delamination." It starts as a small silver flake on the hood or the roof-what I call the "clear coat sunburn." Once that clear layer loses its grip on the Beige base underneath, moisture crawls in and starts zipping the paint off in sheets. If you see white, chalky edges around a chip, that's the clear coat waving the white flag.

Restoration Tip

If you've still got original paint on that 1999 rig, your main job is "edge control." Because these clear coats are thicker and more brittle than the old single-stage stuff, a single rock chip can turn into a palm-sized peel in one winter. When you find a chip, don't just dab it; you need to seal the "shelf" where the clear coat meets the air. Lightly sand the very edge of the chip with a fine grit to smooth the transition, then seal it immediately. You're not just fixing a spot; you're stopping the clear coat from lifting further. Once it starts zipping, there's no glue in the world that'll save it-you've got to catch it while it's still standing its ground.