2009 International Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 2009 International Vibe

Welcome to 2009, the year when International trucks like the WorkStar and DuraStar were out there doing the heavy lifting while the rest of the world was still figuring out the economy. In our vault, we've got the color that defined the "get back to work" spirit of that era: Beige. It wasn't about being flashy; it was about being a survivor. This isn't the beige of your grandma's curtains-it's the functional, dirt-hiding, sun-reflecting "Champagne of the Job Site" that looked just as good at the gravel pit as it did in the depot.

Paint Health Check

By 2009, we were deep into the Thin Paint Era. The factory robots had become absolute wizards at "efficiency," which is painter-speak for "using as little product as humanly possible." While the paint tech itself was advanced, the mil-thickness on these International rigs was often paper-thin to save on weight and costs. If your truck has spent the last decade-plus baked in the sun, you're likely seeing the classic "sunburn" on the hood and roof-that's clear coat delamination. Once the robot-applied clear starts to lift and flake like a bad sunburn, the basecoat underneath is defenseless.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 2009 finish, you have to respect the robot's work-specifically, how thin it is. Build your layers slowly. This isn't a 1970s lacquer job where you can just dump a bucket of paint on a chip and sand it back. If you "blob" it, you'll end up with a high spot that's impossible to level without burning through the surrounding factory clear. Apply 2-3 very thin coats of your base, letting each one flash off completely. This builds a stable foundation that won't shrink or lift the edges of the original finish. Remember: you're trying to mimic a robot, not a house painter.