2004 International Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 2004 International Vibe

In 2004, the world was busy trading flip phones and burning CDs, but you were likely behind the wheel of an International WorkStar or 4000-series truck, just trying to get the job done. This was the year that "sensible" neutrals ruled the road. While the suburbanites were obsessed with silver, the real workhorses-the ones still idling at job sites today-were coated in that iconic, no-nonsense Beige. It wasn't about winning a beauty pageant; it was about having a finish that hid a week's worth of road salt and dust while you hauled the heavy stuff.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the heart of The Peeling Era. By 2004, the industry had fully committed to the basecoat/clearcoat system, but the bond between the two wasn't always a happy marriage. If you look at an International from this vintage today, you're likely seeing "Delamination." That's the fancy word for when the clear coat gets tired of hanging on and starts shedding like a sunburned tourist. On these trucks, the flat surfaces-the hood and the roof-take the most abuse from the sun. Once that clear coat starts to lift and turn white at the edges, the base color underneath is defenseless against the elements.

Restoration Tip

If you've still got some clear coat left, seal every chip immediately. In this era, a stone chip isn't just a blemish; it's an entry point for moisture to get under the clear and start the peeling process. If the delamination has already started, don't just paint over the flakes. Use a fine-grit sandpaper (around 600-grit) to gently feather back the "crunchy" edges of the failing clear coat until you hit a spot where it's still bonded tight. Once you've stabilized those edges, apply your touch-up to lock the finish down and stop the spread before your truck starts looking like a map of the moon.