International Scout Paint Info
The Color Breakdown
International Harvester was a company that built tractors first and SUVs second, so it's no surprise they didn't spend their weekends obsessing over a massive color palette. For the Scout, we have 1 primary recorded color: the legendary, utilitarian Beige. While you might see a stray "Kermit Green" or "Winter White" out in the wild, International really leaned into that "safari-chic" aesthetic. It's a color that says, "I might be going to the grocery store, or I might be crossing the Mojave-you'll never know."
What to Watch For
Finding your paint code on a Scout isn't as easy as looking at a sticker on the door jamb. You're looking for the Line Setting Ticket-the original factory build sheet. If you're lucky, it's still glued to the back of your glove box door or tucked under the hood. Because these were painted with old-school enamels, the biggest issue you'll face is "chalking." If you rub the paint and your finger comes away looking like you just held a piece of sidewalk chalk, that's the paint surface breaking down from years of sun exposure.
Driveway Repair Tip
Before you touch that 2oz bottle to the truck, you have to get rid of the "chalk." If you try to paint over that powdery residue, your fresh coat will peel off faster than a cheap sticker. Take a damp microfiber cloth and wipe the area firmly until no more color transfers to the rag. Once the surface is clean and dry, apply your touch-up in paper-thin layers. Since these older colors are pigment-heavy, give your bottle a solid two-minute shake-longer than you think you need-to make sure that Beige is perfectly mixed and ready for action.
