Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 57 panel Interior paint

Hi All
I have a headache from searching posts and online, TMI. Can some one point me to a source for the the Correct lite gray paint for the interior of a 57 panel? The Granite grays I've seen seems too dark compared to the small spots of original color i can find on my truck
Thanks !

I had the same issue with the interior paint I got from a vendor being too dark on my '51. I wound up taking it to a paint shop here to get it doctored to be a closer match to the original.

A 57 panel will have about six access covers in the back. Take one to a paint shop for scan. or a rear door access cover..or try a few rattle can grays until one matches, then paint something to take for a scan. The only gray shown for 57 is Granite Gray. See Link [paintref.com] Which includes many suppliers code numbers. Don't you have paint and trim code numbers on a big blue plate on the A pillar? If not Granite Gray 723/772 then............. Arctic Beige 721, off white/gray tone.

Interesting note: 1957 has a fender emblem that is difficult for some people. 40%-50% of 1957 Chevy trucks have them on backwards. Including full professional restorations.

Thanks. I was thinking I may have to lighten a gray. It seems available and color chart grays are darker. Trying to stay factory which seems more and more like a fool’s errand at my level of expertise 😊

Bartamos
I didn’t think the data plate had the interior color code? I think I will end up trying to match a cover sample as mine has the typical overspray patterns on the walls under the panels
Thanks

Yes that's true. Interior chip colors are not found anywhere I know of. The "trim code" indicates two tone schemes and other info not altogether clear as to meaning. Most all "standard" trucks had charcoal gray no glare dash tops, charcoal gray on column and around floors areas. Light gray on doors, pillars and cab sides/rear. Some special interiors have been found. All the panels have the shadow marks where it seems they painted the access plates while the sides were laying flat before assembly.

Thanks for that information! Never thought the shadow marks were dome while on the side. I always wondered why they were there🤔 I am just about ready to spray the floor, column and interior firewall. Is charcoal gray an available paint? Or do you match a shade of some sort of black?

Try this page: 57 Chevy Truck Interior Colors [paintref.com]

It looks like there were three grays (granite gray, marble gray, and charcoal) used on the interior. The issue is to get someone to mix them from the old Ditzler codes. Unfortunately the paintref site doesn't have any chips of the second two to get an ideal how they compare to granite gray.

[on edit] If you go to a PPG auto paint store, they may be able to find the codes and mix you a rattle can of each (about $35) There would probably be enough in that rattle can of the one you like to do the steering column.

It is almost impossible to find a paint shop who can cross those old numbers...and if they do come up with a paint for you, you won't know if it is exact or not. I would advise to not stress further. Use a piece from the column support, e-brake handle, shift rod or pedals to get a scan for the dark gray. Which should be the same as the dash top except a non glare was added to the mix.
For the rest of the truck, use whatever is there to scan. If there are no pieces to scan...........get some rattle can paint that is near, paint a test piece, see how it looks and then scan that or give the shop the Rustoleum/krylon number.......or paint the truck with quarts of that paint off the shelf. Chasing old numbers will not work. If this is not a Barrett-Jackson restore, you will be OK driving it around and not be pulled over to get harassed about it.

FYI: for the inside of roof, I HAD a tip in the tip section to use magnetic sign vinyl. The tip, with my name on it, is still there but has been swapped to a different tip. I don't know what has happened to it. I emailed management years ago, never got a response.

Anyway, check the tip section under paint and interiors and get some pointers for your panel.
It would also be nice if we could see what your interior looks like with well lit pix. Just to get a feel for what you see.

Have to agree with bartamos on getting old paint codes recognized. My paint shop didn't come up with anything on the ones available here on Stovebolt for the '51 interior colors. Although they didn't try very hard, just looked in their computer.

Also agree that you won't get hassled for having the "wrong" color. If it looks good to you, just go with it. I needed to paint the metal trim for my replacement door panels, and found a close enough match in rattle can paint.