The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Horn button color

Going to refinish the horn button on my 49 3100 and wonder what the original color was. Thanks

The button is chromed then painted steering wheel color except for the letters and stripes.

I agree that it is close to the same color as the steering wheel but lacks the glossiness of the steering wheel.
The aftermarket ones are painted the Champaign interior color which is clearly wrong, even though they do look nice.
I happen to have a very nice steering wheel with 90 % of the original paint, and a very nice original horn button to base these observations on.

So I should ask what color my steering wheel should be. Mine is black! Your inputs are appreciated. Ed

Mine is original and it's black, too. The interior was originally painted that beige sort of color.

I'm not sure what other color they painted steering wheels in 1949 but I think some were white and maybe other colors.

If your steering wheel was originally black, your horn button would be also. Any evidence on the wheel of another color? What color is the exterior.

You can usually find the original dash color behind the radio speaker grill. Someone painted my interior black but the original beige is under the grill.

Truck was originally a dark green exterior. Checked the dash area ( now painted brown) and found a small area that was black so I think that was the original color. So I think I'll paint the horn button black. Again thanks for your input. Ed

My original horn button...showing some wear over the years. 1948 Chevy 1/2 ton truck, 5-window deluxe.

Great picture, great looking steering wheel and dash. A lot of bells and whistles ! Thanks! Ed

Ya, no kidding! He ordered every accessory JC Whitney carried!

Just about every AD that I see has black steering wheels. I am pretty sure that they did not come with black steering wheels. The black ones are either replacements which are black when you order them from vendors, or it was painted black by a previous owner.
I do not know what the original steering wheel color is called, but I am certain that Rustoleum 7754 Anodized Bronze is as a spot on match for the steering wheel and the steering mast. BTW, that paint neither looks anodized, nor bronze. Rustoleum's marketing department must have gone overboard in naming it that to sell paint.

My truck has a black wheel and has never been restored. It was wrapped in a leather cover when I got it. I suppose any factory paint could have been worn off.

Were the originals all cast in black and painted or was the plastic resin colored?

My googler AI says 1947-1953 Chevrolet and GMC trucks all were brown from the factory.

Otto,
While your AI source confirms that the steering wheels are not black, they aren't brown either. To my eyes, it would be better described as having an almost lavender hue to it. 7754 Rustoleum is the ticket for me regardless. That goes for the steering column as well.

Yes, Rusty 7754 is very close to original. Including steering wheel color.

Just picked up this NOS horn button on the LEFT for a fair sale price...notice the color on it vs. the Rustoleum 7754 rattle can paint used.

That's as dead on as you can get without paying for a custom mix job.

Luke - That's amazingly well matched! Thanks for sharing.