The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Task Force Original Paint Type

Do I remember correctly that Chevrolet was using synthetic enamel during the Task Force era? I seem to recall that acrylic enamel wasn't used until the 1960's or 70's.

yes, like Dulux enamel, and lacquer was still available, might have been used in the interior

Bill

I got out of the body business in the late 60s. Up to then GM used strictly lacquer. I can't tell you when they changed to enamel.

Chevrolet Advance-Design trucks (1947-1954) were all ". . finished in high-luster Dulux synthetic enamel which is baked on in thermostatically controlled ovens" (1947 Chevrolet Truck Data Book)

Air-drying Duco (lacquer) was provided to repair shops, so that repairs could be made without needing a baking oven to dry the original-type Dulux paint.

I'm not trying to hijack this thread but I guess this kind of ties in anyway. In '58 Chevy painted a few trucks from the factory two-toned with Anniversary Gold (a '58 car color) and what I believe is Bombay Ivory. Supposedly this was in celebration of GM's Golden Anniversary.

I have one of these trucks and on the ID plate it has no paint code. Instead it is stamped "SPEC" (Yes, I'm absolutely positive this is the original paint).

Now this brings up a question. From what the Impala guys say, in '58 the cars were still painted in laquer and the trucks were painted with enamel. I guess I'm wondering how, why, or where, these trucks were painted. What I mean is: on one hand it seems unlikely that they would have shot it in lacquer if the truck factory was only shooting enamel in regular production. It also seems unlikely they would have produced the Anniversary Gold metallic in enamel just to shoot a limited number of trucks.

Anyone have an explanation or theory? According to my serial number my truck was built in Los Angeles. I guess what I need is an old fellow who used to paint trucks at the Los Angeles factory in 1958 and still has a really good memory.

I'd really like to solve this mystery.

Also, how can I tell whether it is enamel or lacquer on my truck?

Hey Mike,
You can "test an inconspicuous spot on the vehicle body with lacquer thinner....dab a clean white cloth with lacquer thinner and rub that spot of paint. If color comes off immediately or the spot begins to wrinkle, the paint type is ENAMEL. Should color wipe off on the cloth after vigorous rubbing LACQUER PAINT is present. If NOTHING wipes off the paint is probably a type of urethane."

THIS excerpt came from David H Jacob's HWO TO PAINT YOUR CAR.

I hope it helps.

I also owe you a call back.

Thanks,
brian

not sure why the truck plant couldn't mix any color in Dulux [alkyd enamel] that was available in Duco [acrylic lacquer], considering that special color orders [what your SPEC means] were pretty common, both small fleets and one-of, and would bet it's enamel - and I'd think 50 year old lacquer would be showing some crazing

guess you wouldn't want to try some lacquer thinner on an outta the way spot, but I'd think a good auto painter would be able to tell

Bill

Thanks Brian and Bill,
I'll try the lacquer thinner test. It's not like the paint is in great shape anymore. It definitely will be getting a repaint.

Bill, what you're saying makes sense. The paint is not showing any crazing but I've got a little surface rust starting to come through in spots. It's probably enamel.

Over the years I've been in touch with a couple of other people that have this same paint scheme and have sent me photos and I can remember seeing another one when I was a kid. A couple of years ago I even saw one on ebay. The interior is the same color scheme with Ivory and gold on the top of the dash.

I guess I'll have to get it in the Stovebolt gallery one of these days. I was told that they made one for each dealer in this paint scheme but as far as I know there is no documentation to back that up. This particular truck was purchased by my Dad in about 1965 and before that it was purchased new by our neighbor. I inherited it in 1977 and I've drug it around with me ever since. It hasn't been on the road in over 12 years but it will be again real soon.

The headliner and floormat are both a light brown color and the arm rests are cream colored. I know that our neighbor put a seat cover on it with some padding when he had it because he didn't think the seat had enough padding. That seatcover is still on the truck and I'll bet the original upholstery is still underneath. I'll be interested to see what it's like as I've never taken it off. This truck has been in my life since I can remember, but I digress. I'll save that story for another time.

Thanks for all your help and I'm sorry if I got a little long-winded. I just love this old truck.

I stand corrected Tim. I must admit I never shot any trucks during my tenure, just going by what my instructors said in trade school.

Mike,
Long winded nothing, I like to hear about this stuff. But post some pix...I like to see what I am reading about here...

Dave

You got it Dave. As soon as I get the brakes done I'll roll her out in the sunlight and take some photos.

PERFECT...I CAN'T WAIT!!!