2011 Peterbilt Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 2011 Peterbilt Vibe

By 2011, the Peterbilt 389 had fully cemented its status as the king of the open road, while the more aerodynamic 386 was busy proving that you could save on fuel without looking like a toaster. It was a year defined by heavy-duty grit and a certain "big rig" swagger. While our records show a streamlined selection for this year, the color that truly defined the era's heavy-haulers was Medium Red. If you were pulling a load across the Continental Divide in 2011, there was a high probability your rig was wearing this specific, bold shade of authority.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. By 2011, the factory robots had become masters of efficiency-which is a polite way of saying they got real stingy with the clear coat. These trucks were sprayed with just enough pigment to look flawless on the dealer lot, but that thin-film technology doesn't always hold up to a decade of high-velocity road salt and baking sun. You've likely noticed that the nose of your hood looks like it's been through a gravel storm, and that once-deep Medium Red might be starting to show "sunburn" (clear coat delamination) on the upper curves. When the factory layers are this thin, a single rock chip is an open invitation for the elements to start peeling your finish back like a bad sticker.

Restoration Tip

Since you're working with a catalyzed Medium Red to fix those battle scars, remember: respect the robot's precision. Because the original factory finish is so thin, you can't just "blob" the paint on and expect it to blend. Build your layers slowly. Apply a thin coat, let it flash off, and repeat until the chip is level. If you go too heavy too fast, you'll end up with a high spot that's impossible to sand down without burning through the thin factory clear coat surrounding it. Patience in the booth-or the driveway-is what keeps a 2011 rig looking like it just rolled off the line.