The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Mast jacket steering column

I’m in need of the correct color for my steering column on my 51 Chevy 1/2 ton. Mine had what looked to be the grayish- maroon tint. I made a bad mistake sand Blasting mine off not knowing that this was another interior paint that is harder to find then the correct overall interior. Has any one found a mix that they were happy with or any one else have there column out of the truck that has this color that they or me can take to a paint shop and find a color to match. I leave near York PA if some one in the area has there column out that I could use to take to the paint shop and hope to come up with some thing. The true color of the mast jacket would be under the bracket that bolts to the dash or under all the grease next to the gearbox in the engine compartment.

Color is always questionable but CLASSIC PARTS sells a paint they call correct for the steering mast.

Thought I posted this in the PM for you the other day, and once again, you can’t take a color as being true from a picture but it does give you an idea of what it should look like. And it taint brown! I think your description is about the best I’ve heard, i.e., grayish-maroon tint. And I would avoid the vendor’s guesses at the interior colors like the plague once you got it you are stuck with it.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2829042080098611668CRCqYP
That PPG DBI interior color that I gave you is about the closest that you will ever find. And it’s available from any PPG dealer in the country by the half pint to a five gallon bucket. That should really put that AD pickup interior question to rest forever unless of course you’re one of those guys that insists on agonizing over using another paint brand like Dupont, Duplicolor, House of Color, Ace Hardware, etc.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Here are some shots, the paint is the steering column paint from Jim Carter. I am not sure if it helps, I have not had a chance to photograph any more shots, or get better contrast. the dash is the PPG color that has been discussed a million times here, and you can clearly see the difference - is it right? Who knows!

Interior Photo - steernig column and shifter vs. dash

Interior - another angle

Base of steering column under hood


If I can shoot some more pictures I will add them.

Mike

In my poor wording I’m not looking for pictures. I’m taking your advice and looking for someone that is near me so I can either take there column to a paint shop or I may even need to buy one with the original color so I can fix my mistake. I wasn’t even going to get into this but, I all ready have mine interior color mixed to match what I had sent out to have mixed with original pieces with the very fine metallic that not every one has. I’m not saying the PPG paint that you have does not match what you have in your truck because I’m 90.1 per cent convinced that there was only one color but more then one shade depending on were and what plant and time of day it was when the interior was painted and how it was sprayed. Buy the way Mine is PPG also.

David, If Denny Graham gave you a formula for that color you can rest assured it's the color that column was painted the day it left the factory. Take it to a paint dealer and just have it mixed.

But if you just want to match a 50+ year old sample that's your decision. It's your truck, you do with it as you see fit.

Hold on guys!! I never gave anyone the formula for the mast jacket color; I'm still looking for one we can publish for the masses. The only interior color that I will stand behind is the PPG offset for the original general interior color.
The picture I linked to shows what I think is a real good sample of the factory mast jacket color. When I pull the steering column I'm going to have them record the formula when they mix it so I can have it mixed whenever I need it. That’s a lot more expensive than just having them match the color.
But till then you're all on your own.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Ho else has this grayish color steering column in there truck? Denny shows a very good picture on his link above. I talked to so many and have looked up paint numbers that all turn out to be in the Brown family of colors. So how did this gray come about. Any body have any information on this color?

David and/or Denny,

Could it be Duco stock number 739 or 740?

If David's 1951 colors match 1953 colors, this may be of interest.

Denny, do you have a modern code to match up with Dupont 740?

Tim

Tim

I stopped by to check out the numbers and had no luck with local DuPont or their tech line. But your information does make this very interesting.
So I’m looking for a sample or if any body would stop by a PPG or DuPont dealer and either have them scan the color or look at chips. DuPont has these small booklets that have chips with many shades of colors in the gray family that may have some thing very close.

David

I just found out my mast jacket steering column was used mostly in the panels. I have pulled up some pictures and this seam to be true. I have been doing some searches and still have not come up with and information on any new paint numbers.

Just may be this information will help.

David,

Here are some paint codes for gray mast jacket and 3-speed gear shift on Panel and Suburban for 47-53.

Ditzler (PPG) 31089
Dupont 93-70811

Tim

Tim

Thanks for working with me on this but I have tried all these numbers also and coming up empty. Called all tech lines and still coming up empty or nubers that are in the brown family.

Sorry, David,

I thought that the original color of the Panel mast jacket was gray.

Tim

The Panels are Gray, but the old numbers PPG 31089 and Dupont 93-70811 are no longer any good and they have no new cross referenc number.

Tim

What color are the Suburbans ?

David,

The only information that I have seen indicates that gray was the color of the mast jacket and 3-speed gear shift assembly on 1947-1953 Panels and Suburban.

In 1954/55, the mast jacket and gear shift assembly in all trucks were black.

I'll check the PPG Color Library tomorrow - it's hard to believe that they do not an "offset" to a modern code for that shade of gray.

Tim