The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors AD repop speaker grille and glove box door quality observations

I thought I would let everyone know (who doesn't already) my observations of the quality of the reproduction speaker grille and glove box door for the '47-'54 trucks.

I purchased both grilles from the same supplier in hopes that the paint finish would match on both parts. When I started researching the parts, I was curious why the glove box door was available in either painted or all stainless finishes, but the grille was only available painted. I now know why: The grille is a painted sheet metal stamping (with separate top and bottom stainless trim pieces). The glove box door is all stainless construction (hence either finish is possible).

The grille was packed in a box with a GM restoration part label. The glove box door did not have such a label.

The quality of the paint work on both parts was very amateurish and unacceptable for any type of quality restoration. The grille paint work was better than the door. The grille strips were masked off individually whereas it appears the door stripes were painted with a template and thus the less than crisp definition between colors. None had good straight lines. The color match between the two was decent, but not even close to any color I painted my interior (not surprised here). I was hoping for a close match, but no cigar.

Finally, the glove box door requires a metric fastener (probably 6mm fine, but not sure on that yet). This leads me to believe a Chinese part for sure (even the box the part was packed in had Chinese quality written all over it. The GM restoration part (grille) seems it might be manufactured someplace other than China.

So, bottom line: I have to repaint both pieces both to improve quality and get a perfect color match to the rest of the interior. My plan: Low strips will be typical interior color and high stripes will be steering column color unless someone else can tell me the proper color. It seems the coloring on the part attempted to mimic these two colors. What should the minor color be?

Thanks for the report, David

Who was the vendor and what were the part numbers?

Do you know what, if any, original differences there might have been on those parts: 47-51 vs 52-53 (no stainless steel in 52-53, maybe)?

Also, for someone reading this who might know know: the 1954 dashboard parts are completely different in shape/finish from earlier Advance-Design (and GMC New Design) years.

I purchased from Classic Parts, but I doubt the issues are unique to Classic, so I don't blame them. I am/was aware of the differences you point out above, but I forgot about the dash change in '54.

I will have to pull my original grille and door to see if the top and bottom trim was stainless or not. I bet not, but I am not too concerned about making it true to original as I have made many "improvements" that are not original (brakes, seat belts, a/c, turn signals, radio (no dash mutilation), gearing, 12v, etc.).

Part numbers: 22-951 (door) and 69-543 (grill). Notice that I used the incorrect spelling of grille just as Classic Parts did (not a big deal, I make the same mistake sometimes). A grill is a cooking device (oh wait, maybe that explains it).

David
The correct color on a Chevy for the raised portion of the speaker grill and glove box door is more of a silver with the back ground recessed part the cab interior color. I don't know the color but maybe someone else can come up with that for you. But during the Korean war years (late 51, 52 and early 53) the entire dash was plain steel - no stainless, painted body interior color. Here is a link to a technical article from Jim Carter's website. Korean war shortages

Yep. I want to dress this part of the truck up a bit as you see it constantly while you are in the truck. Now, if someone can give me the proper (or close) silver then I would be all set.

Or, I will just paint both piece interior color and not worry about two tone. The color on the repop parts is no where near a silver color, but closer to the steering column color.

Original 1952 painted dash panel and trim. The one thing I am unsure of is if black is correct for Thriftmaster models, it is for Loadmasters.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/12213356033/in/set-72157631868452754
Original chrome/painted dash panel and trim (I checked these with a magnet once I don't think they are SS)? Pattern continues to glovebox door.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/12228721845/in/set-72157631868452754

I have decided on a hybrid approach for my '52. Stainless (chrome ?) tip and bottom trim and field painted interior color with no two toning.

I have this very issue to contend with in the near future. I am not confined to the champagne interior color that is standard for those years, but I am very undecided on what color would look best for a custom color. The outside is a sports car yellow with black accents like the frame accents in the pics in the Bolt Bucket, but interior? No idea. The grille and glovebox will be stainless as well as the standard deluxe cab stainless kit, but what to paint the interior? Medium to mid-dark gray maybe with black steering column? I am not an arteeest!

Deve, I am not aware of any vendor selling an all stainless speaker grille. So, let us know if you find one. If you can't decide on an interior color, no one will fault you if you stay original. I really like the color I painted mine: Dupont C8306 (Ful-Thane single stage). I think slightly more metallic than original and gray/brown in appearance. Even my color sensitive interior decorator type wife loves it!

I am going to spray a color chip and send to Denny. Maybe he will send to you after he is done, or I will make two chips if you are interested in seeing it.

Wasn't there years that had SS as part of the deluxe package? I thought I had one, but maybe no?

If you are referring to SS on the speaker grill, it was standard until the Korean Conflict's need for certain metals.

Yeah, thought so, so get a good old one and you are good to go. That isn't exactly easy either.

Deve, I thought you meant an ALL stainless speaker grille. Sure, you can buy (I did) the grille with stainless top and bottom accent, but an all stainless grille is not available as far as I know. I guess I misinterpreted what you were looking for.